Christmas 2025 in Madrid: 20 best things to do

As is traditional, the Christmas in Madrid offers a large number and variety of attractions for the people of Madrid and for those They visit Madrid on these special dates for everyone.

During them, various events take place in the capital. annual de crop y leisure, which make this time one of those in which Madrid receives the most tourists.

In this year 2025  The city of Madrid once again lives to the full traditional great christmas atmosphere typical of these family dates.

The annual that you can enjoy during the Christmas in Madrid are largely reflected in the official program of the town hall of the capital, which this year has been presented with the motto “Madrid, a Christmas postcard”.

What activities to do at Christmas 2025 in Madrid

Below, we are going to highlight the most interesting activities that you can do in the Christmas parties 2025 – 2026 in Madrid, including the proposals of the town hall in the aforementioned official program (Note: The photos accompanying this report are of last year's Christmas lights; those for this year, 2025, will be published soon.)).

See the Christmas Lights in Madrid

The Christmas parties in Madrid each year they officially begin with the turning on the christmas lights that this year took place Saturday November 22.

La Christmas lights, as is traditional, becomes the protagonist of the streets of Madrid, and in itself is a good excuse to walk through the squares and streets of the city center during these dates.

This year the Christmas lights It displays great splendor and, of course, when going to the city center to see it, our advice is to be careful in avoid crowds which are so common on certain dates, and specifically, during weekends.

• Here you can see the best photos of the Christmas Lights in Madrid.

Stroll along Gran Vía at Christmas

Furthermore, seeing this lighting is a good excuse to enjoy the Gran Vía, a large iconic avenue of Madrid whose urban renewal has allowed it to gain ample space for pedestrians to walk.

This amplitude gained from cars is clearer in the section between Callao and San Luis Network, area where the greats happen malls always full of people in the Christmas parties.

Christmas bus 2025 in Madrid

Another Christmas traditions in the capital it is that of power see the christmas lighting from the Christmas bus that runs through the main avenues of Madrid.

This bus offers two different services this year, so this article will be very useful to you. detailed information to select the Christmas bus that interests you the most.

Keep in mind that the high demand for this Christmas leisure service means that the available tickets sell out quickly, so it is essential to reserve the date and time well in advance to take your Christmas tour.

Light and sound shows at Christmas in Madrid

The multimedia light and sound shows with three dimensions They are having a great role in Christmas in Madrid.

Immersive video mapping at Conde Duque

In this respect, this year takes center stage. A Christmas of Light, videomapping immersive which will transform the central courtyard of the Conde Duque Center into an immersive space where image, sound and architecture merge.

It is a sensory experience through projections on the facades, during which the public will embark on an emotional journey through the different meanings of one of the most universal and profound symbols of Christmas: light.

The show can be enjoyed from December 17th to 23rd, from 18:30 pm to 23:00 pm.

• Here you have detailed information on the Multimedia show at the Conde Duque Cultural Center at Christmas

Music at the 2025 Christmas Parties in Madrid

La The music always has a great role during the Christmas parties in Madrid, with a wide concert program in various settings in the city.

When and where to see the Zambombada

The traditional Zambombada also walk the streets of the center of Madrid again from Plaza de la Villa to Plaza de Oriente, with the name of Marimorena 2024.

This is a musical parade with the participation of traditional groups and groups from Madrid, the Community and the neighbouring province of Ávila.

• La Zambombada 2025 It will be held on Sunday, December 14th starting at 12,30:XNUMX p.m.

Christmas music concerts

El Christmas program in Madrid offers a wide program of concerts of varied music, in which there is no shortage of gospel, choirs, flamenco or regional house music.

It is worth noting that these concerts take place in very diverse settings, highlighting Matadero Madrid, the renewed Sabatini Gardens, la house of the village and Plaza de los Carrosas well as a Music on the balconies and Music in churches.

Apart from the specific concerts included in the official program, there are other musical events that are traditionally scheduled in the capital, and which we highlight below.

Gospel Festival 2025 in Madrid

El Christmas musical program traditionally begins with Great Gospel Festival Madrid which in its 31st edition takes place in the Fernando Fernán Gómez Theater, In Plaza de Colón, with concerts held from November 28 to December 13.

• Here you can check the programming of the Great Gospel Festival Madrid 2025

Christmas and New Year concerts 2025 in Madrid

Another of the classic events on these dates are the christmas concerts that are held in various auditoriums.

To highlight the New Years Concert that in the National Auditorium It takes place on Monday, December 29th, or the Vienna New Year's Concert Saturday, January 3rd.

Christmas activities at Matadero Madrid

You can also attend the activities that are scheduled in Matadero Madrid, under the name Madrid, Christmas Meeting.

Starting this year, this activity begins a new stage in which an artistic and cultural manifestation will be the protagonist and will shape the programming in each edition.

This year, 2025, is all about 'the word,' with literature as its central theme. The program is a tribute to classic European children's literature, featuring authors such as Shakespeare, Dickens o Andersen, and the stories that have accompanied this festival throughout time.

La Matadero Square It is once again a great stage open to all audiences, with family-friendly activities at midday, featuring cheerful music and songs, and as night falls, the stage will be filled with contemporary sounds ranging from jazz to drunk, from the funk to flamenco, giving prominence to bands and artists from the Madrid scene, from new promises to established names.

El City Hall's Automaton Theatre, a jewel of Madrid's cultural heritage, will be another of the great attractions, with a show featuring moving mechanical figures and rich decoration distributed across ten stages representing everything from traditional scenes to cabarets.

This cultural event is celebrated from December 20 to January 4, and here you can consult the complete program Madrid, Christmas Meeting.

Ice rinks at Christmas in Madrid

Every year in Christmas you can also practice ice skating in Madrid.

So, from December 5th to January 6th you can skate on the Matadero ice rink, with 600 square meters, one of the largest to be installed in Spain.

You have to keep in mind that there will be capacity limitation, so it is essential to reserve tickets in advance.

You also have the option of Cibeles Palace ice rinkFrom December 13th to January 5th, the Madrid on Ice ice rink installed in the Estadio Metropolitano From December 22nd to January 11th, and already from the end of November, the ice rink in Plaza de Españauntil January 11, and the Javier Fernández's ice rink in Columbus Squareuntil January 6th.

Nativity scenes at Christmas 2025 in Madrid

Another typical Christmas activities that have a prominent place in the program are the nativity scene exhibitions in Madrid.

In addition to the more traditional nativity scenes that are presented each year, there are also usually other nativity scene exhibitions that have a more artistic character, such as Neapolitan nativity scenes.

You have good examples of these in the Nativity Scene of the Royal Palace of Madrid or Nativity scene of the Convent of Las Carboneras, and you also have other different options, such as Monumental Nativity Scene of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

Here we propose a route to see the best nativity scenes in the center of Madrid, and here you have complete information with locations and times of the Nativity scenes at Christmas in Madrid, including those installed in the Madrid History Museum and the San Isidro Museum, as well as in the different districts.

Nativity scenes of the world

This year the exhibition stands out once again. Nativity scenes of the world of the Basanta-Martin Collection, which began in 1977 and currently includes 4.200 nativity scenes and 30.000 figures from 154 countries.

A selection from this collection can be seen from November 28 to January 15 in cultural centers in the districts of Moncloa, Hortaleza, Moratalaz, Villaverde and Chamberí

• Here you have more Information about Nativity Scenes in the World

Community Nativity Scene 2025 in Puerta del Sol

Now, the most popular and visited nativity scene by Madrid residents is the one in which Region of Madrid installs in its headquarters in the old Royal Post Office of the Puerta del Sol.

Better known as the Bethlehem of Sun, you can visit it until January 6.

The Belén de Sol turns 21 years old and occupies an area of ​​about 150 square meters with more than 300 figures made by the artists May, Guilloto, Olot y Almansa.

City Hall Nativity Scene 2025 in Cibeles Palace

For its part, the Madrid Nativity Scene Association every year installs in the Cybele Palace the traditional Bethlehem of the City Council of Madrid.

With a collection of 200 figures of the nativity scene Jose Luis Mayo, you can visit this nativity scene from November 28 to January 4 with hours from Tuesday to Sunday from 10,30:19,00 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m., and entrances every half hour.

La Admission is free, but it is essential buy the ticket online to reserve your visit (management cost, 0,50 euros).

Christmas markets 2025 in Madrid

On the other hand, in Christmas program in Madrid there is no shortage of Christmas markets that you can visit in the main squares in the center of Madrid.

Christmas market in the Plaza Mayor

Without a doubt the most notable is the traditional Plaza Mayor market, where you can buy traditional Christmas products, how are the nativity scenes to Decorative elements, which you can visit until December 31.

Christmas Craft Fair

It is also worth highlighting the Madrid Craft Fair, a market that was usually held in the Spain Square, and which in recent years has been installed in the Recoletos walk.

This market can be visited from December 1st to 30th, with schedules, every day, from 11 a.m. to 21 p.m., not opening on December 25, and closing at 15 p.m. on December 24.

There you can buy handmade jewelry, costume jewelry, ceramics, pottery, textiles, engraving, toys, millinery, glass and bookbinding products.

Finally, there is also markets in other squares in different districts of the city, such as Arganzuela or Carabanchel, and in the center of it, in Chamberí, Fuencarral, Moncloa, Plaza de España or Puente de Vallecas.

Christmas 2025 with children in Madrid

If there are some protagonists at this time in Madrid, they are the children, for whom numerous activities are traditionally programmed, among which there are several alternatives.

Christmas Circus in Madrid

There is also no lack of numerous shows, some regulars in these holidays.

In addition to the usual Arrangements that at this time acquire great prominence, the traditional show of Circo Price at Christmas, ideal for a family day, and which you can see until January 6.

And this year you also have the opportunity to see the new show Circlassic, which you can see until January 18th at Ifema Madrid.

Magical Christmas Park in Torrejón de Ardoz

In recent years, they have become fashionable christmas parks, As is the case Magical Christmas that returns to Torrejón de Ardoz from November 14th to January 6th.

Cortylandia 2025 in Madrid

If there is a show that every Christmas has become a fixture to take the kids, that's Cortylandia, specifically its main exponent, the one installed in the shopping center English court de Preciados, near the Puerta del Sol.

From November 22nd to January 5th you can see this year's show under the name “Cortylandia Express”whose passes, I warn you, are always very crowded with families with children.

Three Kings Parade 2026 in Madrid

Finally, in the festival program the traditional Madrid Three Kings Parade 2026 which takes place on the evening of January 5th.

Apart from the main parade, you also have the option of attending one of the parades held in the districts of Madrid.