This is what the Christmas lights in Madrid look like in 2025: photos, a route to see them

Every year it is traditional that the beginning of the Christmas season in Barcelona comes marked by a walk through the center of the capital to enjoy the Christmas lights and, by the way, photograph them.

And I will tell you that there are many of us who take advantage of the first day of turning on the Christmas lighting to take photos during said walk.

In this year the Christmas lights they return with renewed vigor to their annual meeting in Barcelona to decorate the capital, as you can see, as an example, in this video that shows you the atmosphere that was experienced at Christmas a few years ago.

After inauguration of the Christmas Lights in Madrid which took place on Saturday, November 22nd, if you want to give a walk through the center of Madrid To see them, I advise you to plan your visit to avoid possible crowds that form on certain days and times.

Tips for seeing the 2025 Christmas Lights in Madrid

Looking ahead to said walk, I tell you that, as happens every year, in the Christmas 2025-2026 some are presented new arrivals as regards the christmas lighting designs, although the vast majority of the designs from previous years are maintained.

In this way, for example, the big christmas ball with lighting combined with music that was initially installed at the confluence between the Gran Vía and the Alcala street, although you can see it in the new location of the Plaza de España which premiered a couple of years ago, in front of the Sabatini Gardens of the Royal Palace.

At the aforementioned confluence, a big christmas tree.

For its part, the Gran Vía It features new lighting that also takes advantage of the expansion for pedestrian walkways, with the largest surface area of ​​the sidewalks gained from cars.

At Plaza Mayor The designs that have been seen for several Christmases are maintained, with large candles that illuminate the facades of all the buildings in the square.

Also this year there is a new light decoration in the Alcala street, in the section from Cibeles to Puerta de Alcalá.

At Preciados street The decor, which was introduced a couple of years ago, remains, although it is much less striking than the previous decoration.. 

In turn, the large natural fir which was first installed four years ago in the renovated Spain SquareThis year it has disappeared and has been replaced by a smaller tree located at the entrance to the market. The Christmas.

It is also worth highlighting the great luminous fir tree of Puerta del Sol, with beautiful lighting that is once again enhanced by the new configuration of the monuments after the completion of the square's renovation works.

As I'm sure you plan to take advantage of the holidays to go to the center of Madrid to see the festive atmosphere, in which the aforementioned lighting takes on a great role, here you can consult the Christmas lights schedules 2025 in Madrid.

Route through the city center to see the Christmas Lights 2025 in Madrid

For your stroll through the city centre, we suggest a route through the city centre to see the best spots for Christmas lights.

And also enjoy these photos of Christmas 2025 in Madrid, with images of the Christmas lights in the main corners of the Madrid center, as well as other Christmas scenes that you can see during this walk.

We begin our tour of the center of Madrid to see the Christmas lights in Plaza de España.

After its renovation, it has become one of the most outstanding places to enjoy the Madrid atmosphere, with a big christmas tree and the market Christmas.

There you'll find stalls selling crafts and food; it's a very busy place. beer garden outdoors and an ice rink.

On the walk towards the Plaza de Oriente you can see one large illuminated ball with moving images and music.

After passing by a big carousel, an ideal corner for families, strips to the Isabel II SquareAnd opposite the Royal Theatre, you'll find another market where you can even enjoy mulled wine, so typical in Central European countries.

Each of the streets in this central area of ​​the capital has its own Christmas lights, with the pedestrianized Calle Mayor and Calle Arenal standing out.

They are ideal places to stroll around and also see the shops with their Christmas decorations and products.

Arriving at the Plaza MayorYou can also see the bright lighting that characterizes this very popular tourist destination. San Miguel market.

La Plaza Mayor Every year it's one of the essential meeting points during the Christmas season, where you can always find a big christmas tree and the traditional Christmas market where you can buy typical products for the Christmas decorations.

On the main facades of the square, with the market stalls in the background, you can also see lighting that simulates candles, one of the most characteristic images of Christmas in Madrid.

If you're out for a family outing, you have a must-see appointment at Cortylandia, a traditional music and entertainment show where children have a blast.

And in this area you also have the opportunity to have the typical hot chocolate with churros in some of the numerous establishments that offer it, beyond the very popular and century-old chocolate shop of San Ginés.

However, I should warn you that you'll probably have to wait in line.

On this journey you arrive at the Puerta del Sol, the heart of the capital, always packed with people during this Christmas season.

Addition big tree, you can see a videomapping which is projected onto the facade of the old building Post House, with very colorful Christmas scenes.

On your stroll through Christmas in Madrid, you arrive at the Canalejas square, another place with great Christmas lights.

And you're already heading towards the Alcalá street to Cibeles, where the grand palace, now the headquarters of the Madrid City Council, also displays special lighting.

Looking at the image in the background of the Puerta de AlcaláIt's time to go back and explore the Gran Vía, the main thoroughfare in the center of Madrid.

The Christmas lights extend across the entire width of the avenue, covering the roadway and the sidewalk.

On this walk through the center of Madrid, you will also have noticed the facades of the buildings that have special lighting during this Christmas season.

And also the facades of various hotels and establishments that feature great Christmas decorations.

After passing through Plaza de Callao, another of the busiest spots in the center of Madrid with its extension along Calle Preciados, you can now complete your walk by returning to Plaza de España.