The program of Christmas events in Madrid: the most interesting events
Madrid has completed preparations for Christmas and festive events are already taking place throughout the city. Concerts, shows, performances, creches, fairs, amusement rides and parades — find out what to see on Christmas Day in Madrid
El Corte Inglés Castellana Christmas Fair
The El Corte Inglés department store in Castellana has once again organized a Christmas fair, which started on November 14 and will run until January 5, 2025. Numerous stalls offer Christmas decorations, crafts, toys, traditional Christmas gifts and much more. La Cocreta, La Romana, and Rodilla food trucks are open for those who want to try traditional holiday foods. In addition, visitors to the fair will be able to enjoy a music and light show that will be projected onto the El Corte Inglés building.
Mágicas Navidades Christmas Park in Torrejón de Ardos
Spain’s largest Christmas park opened on November 15 in Torrejón de Ardos. It offers 10 incredible attractions, including a video mapping show Puerta Mágica, a musical show El Secreto de la Navidad, a huge Ferris wheel, the largest creche in Spain, the house of Santa Claus and giant Asian lanterns. The Mágicas Navidades park will be open until January 6 daily from 17:00 to 00:00. Tickets cost from 3.50 euros.
Read also: Christmas in Catalonia and Barcelona — festive traditions and events
Giant ball of light on the Plaza de España
Do not miss the opportunity to see the luminous three-dimensional ball of light that will decorate the Plaza de España until January 6. The installation, 12 meters in diameter and weighing seven tons and equipped with 43,000 LED lights, is installed near the entrance to the Sabatini Gardens.
Naturaleza Encendida. LIFE
The most anticipated light installation exhibition Naturaleza Encendida. LIFE is back again in Madrid. From November 26 to January 6, the Enrique Tierno Galván Park offers an incredible journey through the three realms of nature – aquatic, terrestrial and aerial – to meet their inhabitants. Giant whales, octopuses, jellyfish, exotic insects and birds — all the installations shine with hundreds of thousands of colorful lights and the music creates an unforgettable atmosphere. The exhibition is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 18:00 to 22:45. Tickets cost from 14 euros.
El Origen de la Navidad — Manantial de los Sueños
The Royal Botanical Garden of Alfonso XIII University Complutense hosts one of the grandest Christmas shows in Madrid. On an area of 40,000 m², children and adults will enjoy a variety of entertainment — Christmas fountains, theatrical performances, parades, photo zones, rides, Santa Claus’ house and much more. Madrid’s largest skating rink will be open, and extreme sports enthusiasts will be offered to go down ice slides. Foodies will not be disappointed either, as Manantial de los Sueños has many gastronomic zones. The show can be visited until January 6. Tickets cost from 12 euros.
Earlier we wrote: Barcelona is preparing for Christmas: calendar of events
Cortylandia
For more than 30 years, the department store chain has been delighting children and adults with the Cortylandia show. On a huge stage, which is installed on the facade of the main store on Preciados Street, huge animated figures move to the beat of popular Christmas tunes. The centerpiece of Cortylandia is a large clock that is surrounded by numerous forest animals. The show will run until January 5 and is free to watch.
Mercadillo navideño británico
For one day only, on December 14, the British Christmas Fair will be held at St. George’s Church. Stalls in the patio, garden and hall will display items seen at Christmas markets in the UK — decorations, crafts, toys, chocolates and traditional English food. Try the homemade cakes here and wash it down with hot mulled wine. Get there early as the most delicious food sells out very quickly. Entry to the fair will cost 2 euros.
New Year’s Eve in Puerta del Sol Square
On the evening of December 31, thousands of people will gather in Puerta del Sol to celebrate the New Year and eat 12 lucky grapes to the chimes of the Real Casa de Correos. This tradition is over 100 years old.
A few seconds before midnight, the ball, located at the top of the tower, is lowered down to the sound of the carillon. Then there are 4 warning beats so that everyone could prepare the grapes, and after them – 12 main beats of the chimes, under which the grapes should be eaten. After that, all those present drink a glass of champagne and hug those around them. For those who will not be able to visit the Puerta del Sol square on New Year’s Eve or want to participate in the event twice, a rehearsal of the New Year’s Eve party is held on December 30.
Three Kings Parade
The event that all the children of Madrid look forward to will take place on January 5. In the afternoon Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar will solemnly arrive in the city, and at 18:30 – will drive through its streets ta three decorated platforms, handing out sweets to everyone they meet. At 21:00 the Three Kings will arrive at the Cibeles Palace and from the stage will address all those present with a speech. The parade will culminate with a grand pyrotechnic show.
Also on the morning of January 5, before the arrival of the Three Kings, the Roscón de Reyes de Aldeas Infantiles SOS takes place. At 11:00 a.m., musical performances will begin in Puerta del Sol Square, and from 12:00 noon there will be a free distribution of Christmas desserts and hot chocolate.
Circo Alegría On Ice 2
Until January 26 in Madrid you can watch the completely renewed Circo Alegria ice show – rope walkers, acrobats and actors amaze the audience with incredible stunts on the ice rink. And the main characters of the show are charming animatronic mammoths on skates. The performance is accompanied by light effects and music, creating a fabulous atmosphere.
Circo Price en Navidad
In the run-up to Christmas, Teatro Circo Price will once again present its classic Christmas production. It tells the story of five friends — Tom, Laya, Dante, Lucas and Tatin – who try to find the missing spirit of Christmas. Music, dance, humor and song will come together in this innovative production with an unexpected ending. You can see the stunning Christmas tale through January 4.
Earlier we wrote: Alicante is preparing to celebrate Christmas: program of events
Christmas creches in Madrid
In the run-up to Christmas, many Christmas creches appear in Madrid and the surrounding area, which you can see for free. We will tell you where the most interesting ones are located:
- The creche handmade by José Luis Mayo Lebrija, installed in the CentroCentro in the Cibeles Palace (until January 5);
- Neapolitan creche at the Plaza Mayor;
- Belén del Príncipe at the Royal Palace (through January 7), a creche composed of more than 200 figures that King Charles III commissioned for his son, King Charles IV;
- An 18th-century Neapolitan creche at the Historical Museum (through Feb. 2);
- Belenes Proyectados, an event in which images of the Nativity from masterpieces in the Prado Museum are projected onto the facades of historic churches in downtown Madrid (December 19-23);
- a creche at the Museo de San Isidro (until January 19);
- a creche at the Casa de México (until January 7);
- creches in the windows of El Corte Inglés: Plaza de Callao (El Corte Inglés Callao), Plaza de Felipe II (El Corte Inglés Goya), Plaza de Serrano (El Corte Inglés Serrano 47), open parking lot at El Corte Inglés Paseo de la Castellana.
La historia mundial continúa — Circclassica
Productores de Sonrisas presents La historia mundial continúa, a new Christmas circus show for the whole family. Featuring more than 30 renowned artists, the show combines music and acrobatics, defying the laws of gravity. The story centers on the charismatic clown Johnny, who, after traveling the world to fulfill his dream, returns to the Circlassica’s big tent. Here his niece Blanca and nephew Manu are waiting for him to make their debut in the circus arena. You can watch the performance until January 26. Tickets cost from 20 euros.
Alegría — Cirque du Soleil
The famous Cirque du Soleil returns to Madrid to present one of its most iconic shows, Alegría, which premiered back in 1994. It is a magical tale about a kingdom that has lost its king and the girl Alegría, who witnesses the conflict between the old and the new order. The show with an unforgettable soundtrack, exciting stunts, surreal costumes, bright sets and playful humor captivates the audience from the first minutes. You can visit it until February 16. Tickets cost from 44 euros.
STARLITE Christmas
The best boutique festival in the world is back in Madrid in the run-up to Christmas. From December 12 to 31, the IFEMA MADRID fairgrounds will host a series of concerts featuring international stars. STARLITE Christmas 2024 will feature the Black Eyed Peas, Alejandro Fernández, Vanesa Martín, Camilo, Taburete, Il Divo, Grupo Frontera, Hombres G, Juan Magán and other famous artists and bands.
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