Spending Christmas in Madrid is an amazing way to see the city in a whole new light. Or should that be lights? There’s something so magical about Spain’s capital at this time of year with its famous decorations, excellent shopping streets, delicious festive food, and kid-friendly activities.
If you’re heading to Madrid for the holidays, there are a couple of important things you should know. The main one is that many Spaniards celebrate Christmas after December 25, so make sure you book your flights accordingly.
This is a guide to the best things to do in Madrid at Christmas – from sparkling Christmas markets to traditional food. Madrid is the perfect place to spend Christmas in Spain.
Important Dates for Spending Christmas in Madrid
- Dec 24: (Nochebuena) Christmas Eve is spent having dinner with family and, like in other countries in Europe, some kids receive presents from Papá Noel (Santa Claus).
- Dec 25: (Navidad) Christmas Day in Spain is usually spent with family, relaxing after the night before and not exchanging presents in the morning.
- Dec 26: There’s no name for this day for a reason – it’s a completely normal day and people go back to work!
- Dec 31: (Nochevieja) Spaniards ring in the new year with meals, parties, and fireworks.
- Jan 1: Like in many countries, this is a day for relaxing and recovering from the night before.
- Jan 5: The Three Kings (Los Reyes Magos) arrive all over Spain. There are parades in the streets and it’s one of the most special days for children in the country.
- Jan 6 (Día de Los Reyes Magos): Spaniards traditionally exchange gifts on this day. Families get together for lunch and eat special Christmas sweet treats!
Top 10 Things to Do in Madrid at Christmas
Enjoy all of the different Christmas decorations around Madrid.
1. Visit the Madrid Christmas Markets
Christmas just isn’t Christmas without a beautiful market. Luckily, they pop up all over the capital during the festive period. You can find traditional German-style markets selling decorations and tasty snacks as well as artisanal markets selling handmade gifts. Some of the best Christmas markets in Madrid are:
- Mercado de Navidad de la Plaza Mayor: This is one of the biggest Madrid Christmas markets and it’s been around since the 19th century! Going to the Plaza Mayor is already one of the best things to do in Madrid but it really comes alive with adorable wooden huts and fairy lights at Christmas.
- Feria Mercado de Artesanía: This market used to be held in Plaza España but, since 2021, it now takes place in Paseo de Recoletos. It’s the perfect Madrid Christmas market to find unique gifts, such as art, jewelry, and ceramics.
- La Navideña (Mercadillo Plaza de España): This is one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Madrid and the perfect place to see some Christmas lights too. There’s a large Christmas tree and hundreds of stalls selling traditional Christmas gifts and decorations.
- Mercadillo de la Plaza de Colón: This is another cute, artisanal Christmas market selling handmade crafts, sweets, and decorations. There’s an ice rink and a traditional carousel for kids too.
2. Go Ice Skating
Madrid is colder than other cities, such as Valencia, at Christmas which means ice skating is really popular. There are several pop-up ice rinks all over the city. Many of them are under a tent or indoors as it isn’t quite cold enough but a couple appear in the popular Christmas markets too. Some of the best ice rinks are:
- Plaza de Colón Ice Rink
- Plaza de España Ice Rink
- Ice Rink in Palacio de Cibeles
- Matadero Madrid Ice Rink
3. See the Madrid Christmas Lights
At the end of November, the streets in Madrid are adorned with festive lights and decorations. They’re everywhere! One of the most beautiful places to see the Madrid Christmas lights is in Parque Del Retiro. The whole park is lit up by creative and beautiful festive designs.
You can also take the Naviluz bus for a tour of all of Madrid’s lights. Hop on near the Prado Museum and jump off whenever you fancy. It runs from November 29 to January 6 and is the perfect thing to do if you’re spending Christmas in Madrid with kids.
If you want to do something different, you could always take a private Tuk Tuk tour of Madrid’s Christmas lights too!
Enjoy the Christmas lights around Madrid at Christmas.
4. Visit a Nativity Scene
Nativity scenes, or beléns as they’re called, are a really important part of Christmas in Spain. They differ a bit from traditional nativities in the US and tend to be large, detailed, and very ornate scenes that often show a whole village. You’ll find one in almost every square and church in Madrid and it’s worth visiting a couple.
Two of the best are in Cibeles Palace and the Real Casa de Correos.
5. Try Traditional Spanish Treats
One of the best things about going to Madrid at Christmas is all the amazing food on offer. There are lots of traditional things that only come out at Christmas and you need to make sure they’re on your list to try!
- Turrón: Traditionally, Turrón is a sweet nougat made from honey and almonds but, nowadays, you can find lots of different types. Casa Mira has been selling Turrón since 1842 and is one of the best in Madrid!
- Polvorones: These are little cookies that have a similar consistency to shortbread. You can buy them in Christmas markets all over the city.
- Roscón de Reyes: This traditional cake is eaten on January 6 and is the shape of a large doughnut filled with cream. In every Roscón there’s a bean and a little king figure. If you get the bean in your slice you’ll have to buy next year’s Roscón and if you get the king, you’ll have luck for the next 365 days!
6. Go to Cortylandia
This fun and festive 15-minute play takes place on the side of El Corte Inglés on Calle Maestro Victoria. It’s full of giant characters and puppets singing and dancing to classic Christmas carols and is perfect for kids. It does get very popular, so go early or expect a queue.
7. Enjoy the Three Kings Parade
This is the holiday season’s highlight for many Madrileans – especially the kids. The parade starts at 18.30 at Plaza San Juan de la Cruz and finishes at Plaza de la Cibeles around 20.30. People line the streets to watch the thousands of acrobats, dancers, and musicians walk alongside the kings on their float. They also throw candy to all the kids and bring a lot of excitement and cheer to the people. The parade finishes with an amazing fireworks display in front of the Palacio de Cibeles.
8. Run the San Silvestre
This is a great 10K fun run through the most festive streets in Madrid. It takes place every New Year’s Eve and lots of people dress up!
Go Christmas tree hunting around the city, they are hiding everywhere.
9. Eat Grapes on New Year’s Eve
Eating grapes is a tradition on New Year’s Eve in Spain. All Spaniards will have their grapes ready to eat in the 12 chimes before midnight, whether at parties or gatherings in Madrid’s most famous squares. Puerta del Sol is the most famous place to go on New Year’s Eve in Madrid. The chimes here are actually broadcast to the rest of the country!
10. Drink the Best Chocolate con Churros
One of the best places in the whole of Spain to try authentic chocolate con churros is San Ginés, close to Plaza Mayor and Puerta de Sol. You can expect queues all day long, so make sure you go hungry and with time to spare!
Christmas in Madrid – Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Weather Like at Christmas in Madrid?
Temperatures range from 52°F to 34°F, which is colder than many other cities in Spain during December.
What do People Eat at Christmas in Madrid?
Apart from the sweet treats mentioned above, there’s not a traditional meal for Spaniards at Christmas. Many will eat tapas, as well as meat, seafood, and lots of different types of cheeses.
What’s Open in Madrid at Christmas?
Almost everything is open in the run-up to Christmas. Supermarkets, markets, restaurants, bars, and museums will be running as normal. On Christmas Eve, however, you can expect most places to close, especially in the afternoon. They’ll remain closed on Christmas Day, too. Things will then get back to normal (apart from New Year’s Day) until the afternoon of January 5 and they’ll stay closed on Three Kings Day.
Some restaurants might be open on Christmas Day but you’ll need to book way in advance.
Are Hotels Expensive in Madrid at Christmas?
Spring is the high season to visit Madrid so you can actually find some reasonably priced hotels at Christmas. Some of the best hotels to stay in are:
- Luxury: The Westin Palace, Madrid
- Mid-Range: Hotel Princesa Plaza Madrid
- Budget: Vértice Roomspace
We loved visiting Madrid between New Year and King’s Day, it was such a fun time of year in Madrid!
Are You Spending Christmas in Madrid This Year?
Madrid is a magical city to spend Christmas in. The Madrid Christmas lights are some of the most impressive in the country and there’s so much to see and do. If you can, stay until after Three Kings Day as this is one of the most exciting times in the city.
It’s the perfect place to get a real feel for how Spaniards celebrate Navidad!