Discover why Madrid is special at Christmas: ring in the New Year with the tradition of 12 grapes
If you are looking for a different place to celebrate your next Christmas, how about planning a trip to the capital of Spain? During the holidays, the city is transformed into a fairytale setting full of lights, street markets, ice skating rinks and the smell of roasted chestnuts and chocolate with churros. You can also experience two unique moments that make Madrid a special place during the holiday season: New Year's Eve at the Puerta del Sol square and the impressive Three Kings parade.
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Madrid sparkles
From around the end of November until 7 January, the city's streets are lit with thousands of lights specially created by designers. It is truly beautiful to stroll around emblematic spots in the capital such as Plaza de España, Gran Vía, El Retiro Park or the Royal Palace and admire incredible decorations such as a giant 3D Christmas ball that lights up to the rhythm of the music or Christmas trees made out of coloured light bulbs.Besides strolling around, there are other ways to enjoy this spectacle. For example, you can have a drink on the rooftop terraces of in several hotels on Gran Vía or take a ride on the Naviluz, the double-decker Christmas bus that tours around the city.More original ways to enjoy Christmas lights? It is common during these festivities to schedule special events such as “Naturaleza Encendida”: This is an exhibition of incredible lighted figures that, in recent years, has taken place in green areas such as the Royal Botanical Garden or the Juan Carlos I Park.
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Markets, nativity scenes and other Christmas events
The quintessential Madrid Christmas market is undoubtedly the one in Plaza Mayor square. Here, both locals and visitors from all countries have a great time searching among the wooden stalls for souvenirs ranging from Nativity figurines to musical instruments, Christmas decorations, toys and more. Make the most of your visit to this emblematic square to see the Nativity scene that is set up there, although every year other very popular ones are also on display in places such as the Casa de Correos and the Royal Palace.Christmas in Madrid is also synonymous with music, and it is typical for the city's most iconic churches such as the Almudena Cathedral to hold concerts. Different cultural centres such as Circo Price or Matadero run special programmes with children's workshops and immersive experiences. You can also attend a ballet performance at the fantastic Teatro Real.Sports are not to be forgotten during these festivities. In fact, the most popular athletic event in Spain takes place at Christmas: the San Silvestre Vallecana. Since 1961, thousands of runners (in addition to professional athletes who run separately) run a 10k in a festive way every 31 December: with the whole family, with friends, dressed in costume...
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Christmas flavours
If there is one thing that can't be missing from the gastronomy of these festivities, it's traditional sweets. Marzipan and nougat are among the best known, so you can take advantage of the opportunity to visit the Museo del Turrón, the first one dedicated to this delicacy, which you will find on the central street of Arenal.Another sweet that is a classic of Spanish Christmas is the Roscón de Reyes. We recommend you try it in one of the city's century-old bakeries, such as the Antigua Pastelería del Pozo, considered the oldest in Spain.And if you want to try the traditional hot chocolate with churros, one of the most iconic places to do so is definitely San Ginés.Looking for something that isn't sweet? It is quite an experience to visit the legendary Lhardy restaurant, whose holiday decorations are always wonderful, and to try their consommé to warm yourself up. You're going to love it.
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Two can't-miss dates
If you come to Madrid at Christmas, mark two essential dates on your calendar. The first, on 31 December. To celebrate New Year's Eve, hundreds of people gather at Puerta del Sol at midnight to ring in the new year to the sound of the 12 strokes of the clock in this square. Tradition dictates that you must eat a grape for each chime of the bell. Did you know that all national television channels broadcast this clock at that time so that everyone can follow this tradition in their homes? In fact, you can also attend so-called “pre-grape” gatherings, taking place at midnight on the night before, on 30 December, which have also become very popular.The second date you can't miss if you want to make the littlest family members happy is 5 January. Spain has a tradition that is unique in the world: on the night of 5-6 January, the Three Kings leave gifts in the homes of all children while they sleep. But before that, in the afternoon, the Three Kings take to the streets in a parade with fantastic floats that are sure to leave you enchanted. Although parades take place all over Spain, the one in Madrid is considered one of the most spectacular.
As you can see, Madrid is full of pleasant surprises at Christmas. Don't forget that the city is also a paradise for Christmas shopping, in streets like Serrano, Gran Via or in the iconic El Corte Inglés shopping centre. And if you stay for several days, you might also want to plan an excursion to nearby destinations such as Torrejón de Ardoz, which has one of the largest Christmas parks in Spain, or to Buitrago de Lozoya, with its famous Living Nativity Scene.For more information, you can check out the complete Christmas programme for this year closer to the date. See you in Madrid!
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