The Christmas in Madrid with children There are free activities, like Cortylandia on Preciados Street, and paid ones, such as the Circo Price, which starts on November 20th. There are also ice rinks and activities at Matadero, but their final dates are still to be confirmed. Here's a list of each with the published information and a clear note of what's missing.
We used the Madrid Tourism fact sheets as our source and indicated which data was from this year and which was from the previous edition. We will review it when the official program is published at the end of November.
In summary
- Free: Cortylandia, from the end of November to January 5, and the Matadero activities (dates to be confirmed).
- Paid: Circo Price, from November 20 to January 6, from €14.
- Ice rinks: Matadero, the Cibeles Palace and Plaza de España, with approximate dates and prices not yet published.
- Closing days: The Circo Price has no performances on December 15, 16, 22, 24, and 31. Cortylandia has no shows on December 25 or January 1.
- Best area to combine plans: Sol, Callao and Gran Vía.
If you are traveling with children and want to start by getting to know the center, you can sign up for our free tour of Madrid, free contribution: you don't pay anything in advance and, at the end, you contribute what you consider appropriate.
From November 23 to January 6 we also have a Free Christmas walking tour of Madrid, The tour, in Spanish, departs at 5:15 PM from the Sevilla metro station and explores the stories of Christmas in Madrid, from grapes and nativity scenes to the lottery and sweets. It is also a free-to-donation tour.
Cortylandia: the most popular free Christmas plan in Madrid with children
Cortylandia is the animated figure show at El Corte Inglés department store, located at Calle de Preciados, 3. It's free and each show lasts about 15 minutes. According to Madrid Tourism, this year's edition is... From the end of November to January 5, 2027.
The times published by Turismo Madrid are from 2025, so it's best to confirm them before you go:
- Mornings: at 12:00, 13:00 and 14:00.
- Afternoon: at 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
- December 24th and 31st and January 5th: morning passes only.
- December 25th and January 1st: There are no passes.
To get there, you can take the metro from Callao (lines 3 and 5) or Sol (lines 1, 2, and 3). It's a busy area, especially in the afternoons. If you're going with young children, a morning visit is usually quieter, although this is just our recommendation, not official information.
Circo Price at Christmas: the payment plan with fixed dates
The Teatro Circo Price, at Ronda de Atocha, 35, is showing the show at Christmas Raluy Legacy Circus. Madrid Tourism provides this data:
- Dates: from November 20, 2026 to January 6, 2027.
- Schedules: Tuesdays to Fridays at 6:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 5:30 p.m.
- No function: December 15, 16, 22, 24 and 31.
- Duration: about 1 hour and 40 minutes, with a break.
- Public: suitable for all audiences.
- Price: from €14, no handling fees.
- How to get there: Embajadores metro station (lines 3 and 5), Estación del Arte (line 1) or Lavapiés (line 3).
On January 5th and 7th, there is a scenic walk beforehand for people with visual or intellectual disabilities. Advance registration is required.
Ice rinks in Madrid at Christmas: what we know
Madrid Tourism has gathered three tips for this season. All dates are approximate and «to be confirmed», and no prices or times have been published.
- Matadero Madrid: large ice rink, from early December to January 6.
- Crystal Gallery of the Cibeles Palace: From mid-December to January 5th.
- The Christmas celebration in Plaza de España: a flea market with a dance floor, from late November to early January.
There's also an Olympic-sized ice rink at the Palacio de Hielo shopping center, which is open year-round. Since we don't have their prices for this season, we're not providing them. Check each rink's website before you go.
Matadero at Christmas: free activities for the whole family
Madrid, Christmas of gatherings This is the eighth edition of Matadero Madrid's Christmas program, located in Plaza de Legazpi, 8. The activities are free for all ages, with free access until capacity is reached.
The Madrid Tourism website lists the dates as «late December to early January» and still to be confirmed. The 2026-2027 program will be published at the end of November. Madrid Tourism mentions an activity called «It Will Snow in Matadero Square,» the dates of which are also unconfirmed. The previous edition focused on literature. To get there, you can take the metro to Legazpi station (lines 3 and 6). Surroundings Madrid-Delicias.
How to organize a Christmas day in Madrid with children
A simple way to avoid tiring out the little ones is to divide the day into zones and reserve the paid plan for the afternoon:
1. Tomorrow in the center. A short walk through Sol and Plaza Mayor, with Cortylandia in a morning show.
2. Leisurely meal In that area, it's best not to wait until late.
3. Late afternoon with a set plan, such as the Circo Price or an ice rink, depending on the dates.
For the walking part, you'll find ideas in our guide. Christmas in Madrid 2026, in the article about the Christmas lights and in the one of Plaza Mayor street market.
Discover it with us: historic Madrid with your family
Our free walking tour of Madrid leaves every day at 11:15 from the Puerta del Sol, in front of ZapShop. You'll recognize us by the purple umbrella. It lasts about 2 hours and 15 minutes, It's a footpath and ends in the vicinity of Royal Palace. There are departures in Spanish every day and in English Monday to Friday. Before you go, check the website notice in case the meeting point has changed.
It's a free tour (pay what you wish)You don't pay anything upfront, and at the end, you contribute what you feel is appropriate. If you're unsure whether the tour is suitable for your children's ages, please contact us before booking. Check availability and book.
Frequently asked questions about Christmas in Madrid with children
Before choosing plans for Christmas in Madrid with children
Yes. It's a free show at Preciados Street, number 3, and each performance lasts about 15 minutes.
It runs from November 20, 2026 to January 6, 2027, with performances from Tuesday to Sunday and several days without performances in December.
Madrid Tourism indicates a starting price of €14, excluding booking fees. Final prices depend on the session.
During your visit
There are no passes on December 25th or January 1st. On December 24th and 31st, and January 5th, only morning passes are available.
Madrid Tourism mentions Matadero Madrid, the Crystal Gallery at the Cibeles Palace, and La Navideña in Plaza de España. Dates are approximate and prices are not yet published.
Cortylandia and the Matadero activities, which are free. At Matadero, the final dates will be confirmed at the end of November.
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