Enjoy Christmas season with the best plans in Madrid
Christmas is one of the most enchanting times in Madrid. The city has a festive atmosphere; there are lights everywhere, markets are full of families and friends having fun, and you can find pastries and sweets in almost every corner of the city. Keep reading to find out the best Christmas plans in Madrid, and get ready for this special time of the year!
Explore the Christmas lights
If you are in Madrid during Christmas time, make sure not to miss the lights that adorn the city. Take a walk along the city’s best-illuminated streets and spotlights -Puerta de Alcalá, Retiro Park, Plaza de Cibeles, Puerta del Sol, and Plaza Mayor. Check out this handy guide for a self-guided walk. The city will continue to shine until January 7th.
Additionally, don’t miss the Royal Botanical Garden, which hosts a spectacular illumination show during this time of the year. Find more information here.
Get your Christmas lottery ticket!
The Christmas lottery in Spain has been a thing since the 1800s! ‘‘El Gordo’’ is a tradition that goes beyond a simple lottery and is considered the biggest one worldwide. The draw always takes place on December 22nd, and you can buy your ticket in one of the many lottery stores you can find around Madrid. Most people join together with coworkers, families and friends to collectively buy at least one ticket. Gather money with some of your neighbors; who knows, maybe you guys are lucky this year. :)
Visit the Christmas markets
Christmas Markets are a must during this time of the year in Madrid. Witness plazas, churches, and corners transforming into magical marketplaces filled with the festive mood of the season. You will find traditional foods, artisan products, Christmas crafts, and more. Among the most popular markets, don’t miss the Mercado de Navidad at Plaza Mayor and the Mercadillo de Navidad at El Corte Inglés Nuevos Ministerios. Starting at 6 pm, this market has scheduled a music and light show featuring performances every half hour.
Enjoy some Spanish sweets!
Get ready for a sweet Christmas adventure with some awesome treats like churros, turrones, mazapán, and roscón de reyes. Warm up with a Spanish must-try: churros con chocolate at Chocolateria San Ginés, known for the best in town.
Roscón de Reyes is a ring-shaped pastry that steals the show during this time of the year, especially on January 16th, known as the Three Kings’ Day. Maison Kayser, with several city locations, makes one of the best in towns. Get ready for the surprise you´ll find while eating it, whoever finds it gets to be lucky one!
Attend the Three Kings Parade on January 5th
After eating your roscón de Reyes, make your way to the Three Kings Parade (Cabalgata de Reyes). Despite taking place in the new year, this is an essential experience while in the city. The parade is a huge spectacle with carriages, people dressed as shepherds, and The Three Kings throwing their sweets into the crowd. The parade starts at 6:30 PM in Paseo de la Castellana and finishes at Plaza de Cibeles. It wraps up around 9 PM. Check out the detailed route of the parade here.
Go ice skating
Finally, we cannot forget about ice skating. The city’s got plenty of rinks! There’s one in Plaza Colón, right by the market, and another cool spot in Plaza de España, where they’ve got another cute little Christmas market. But if we are picking favorites, head to the one located at Matadero Madrid. They’ve got some ice-skating demonstrations as well which are pure entertainment!
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