The best Christmas plans in Madrid combine centuries-old traditions, popular shows, and illuminated squares for all ages. The must-see attractions that return year after year include Cortylandia on Preciados Street, the Christmas market in Plaza Mayor, the nativity scene route, the ice rinks, the Circo Price, and the churros in San Ginés. In this guide, we've compiled their dates, opening times, prices, and tips for visiting them on foot.
In summary:
- Dates: from November 21 to January 6, with the lights being switched on at the end of the month.
- Free: Cortylandia, Plaza Mayor market, monumental nativity scenes and lights.
- Fees apply: ice rinks (€6.50 to €11), Circo Price (from €14) and churros (around €6).
- How to get around: on foot and by Madrid Metro (Sol, Callao, Sevilla, Ópera and Banco de España).
- Guided tour: every afternoon we conduct a 2.5 hour themed walking tour.
If you prefer to explore these places with someone who can tell you their stories as the lights come on, we visit many of them on our tour. Free Christmas walking tour of Madrid, a free contribution walking route where you don't pay anything when booking and at the end you contribute what you consider appropriate.
From November 23rd to January 6th, this offer is active. 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.
Comparative table of Christmas plans in Madrid
To see at a glance the schedules, prices and nearest metro stops, this table summarizes the main events in the city center:
| Classic plan | Location and Subway | Regular hours | Price | Entry type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cortylandia | Maestro Victoria 4 (Sol or Callao) | 12:00 to 21:00 (passes every hour) | Gratuitous | Free access on the street |
| Main Square Market | Plaza Mayor (Sun or Opera) | 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Fri and Sat until 10:00 p.m.) | Gratuitous | Free access |
| Cibeles Ice Rink | CentroCentro (Bank of Spain) | 11:00 to 21:00 h | €6.50 to €7 | Ticket office and online booking |
| Plaza de España track | Plaza de España (Spain Square) | 10:00 to 22:00 h | €9 to €11 | Box office and online sales |
| Bethlehem Center | Cibeles Palace (Bank of Spain) | 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Monday to Sunday) | Gratuitous | Turn €0.50 online or at the box office |
| Bethlehem Post Office | Puerta del Sol (Sun) | 10:00 to 22:00 h | Gratuitous | Free access via San Ricardo |
| Price Circus at Christmas | Ronda de Atocha 35 (Embajadores) | 16:30, 18:30 and 20:00 h | From €14 | Pre-order online |
| San Ginés Chocolate Shop | San Ginés Passage 5 (Sun) | 24 continuous hours | About €6 | First come, first served |
Cortylandia in Preciados: the children's tradition every winter
Cortylandia, located at Maestro Victoria 4 (a 3-minute walk from Sol), is the most nostalgic Christmas spectacle in the capital. Every hour, it draws hundreds of families to the El Corte Inglés department store on Preciados Street. Its mechanical figures sing Christmas carols for 15 minutes in a themed show that has been featuring new characters every winter since 1979.
Morning tours are at 12:00, 13:00, and 14:00, and afternoon tours are every hour between 17:00 and 21:00. On December 24th and 31st, the last tour is at 15:00, and on December 25th and January 1st, there are only afternoon tours. It is free and does not require prior booking on the website. El Corte Inglés.
The Plaza Mayor Christmas market is a must-do in Madrid's Christmas plans
The Plaza Mayor hosts the oldest and most iconic Christmas market in the capital. With over a century of continuous history beneath the Herrerian arcades, its 104 red wooden stalls fill the square with a festive atmosphere.
It offers handcrafted nativity scene figures, decorations, tambourines, and novelty items for Holy Innocents' Day. In the 19th century, the city council moved the stalls here from the neighboring Plaza de Santa Cruz, establishing the Christmas scene we know today.
It's open from the end of November to December 31st, Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday until 10:00 PM. It's a 6-minute walk from Cortylandia or accessible by taking the Metro from Sol or Ópera stations. Admission is free, and you can check for updates at [website address missing]. Madrid Tourism and in our guide to Plaza Mayor street market.
Ice skating rinks: skating in Cibeles and Plaza de España
Ice skating is another winter classic that returns promptly. Cibeles on Ice offers over 300 square meters sheltered under the glass dome of the Cibeles Palace. It's open from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM and costs between €6.50 and €7 for 30 minutes with skates; booking is recommended on the website. CenterCenter.
In Plaza de España, the La Navideña open-air rink stands out, covering 450 square meters next to a large 19-meter Christmas tree and food stalls. It's open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM and costs between €9 and €11 with skates. Meanwhile, Matadero Madrid offers another 600-square-meter rink with skating exhibitions for around €6.50 per session.
Route of historical nativity scenes: Cibeles, Sol and Royal Palace
Madrid displays monumental nativity scenes of great artistic value that can be visited on foot. The CentroCentro Municipal Nativity Scene features more than two hundred Hebrew figures by José Luis Mayo Lebrija (free admission or online booking for €0.50). CenterCenter).
In Puerta del Sol, the Royal Post Office displays a nativity scene spanning over 150 square meters, featuring thousands of details depicting everyday life. It is open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with free access via San Ricardo Street. To admire courtly art, the Neapolitan Nativity Scene at the Royal Palace showcases valuable 18th-century figures commissioned by Charles III. Admission is free during palace opening hours. National Heritage.
Circo Price: a must-see in your Christmas plans in Madrid
Since 2006, the Christmas production of the Teatro Circo Price has brought together more than 80,000 spectators every winter in the historic circular arena at Ronda de Atocha 35 (Metro Embajadores).
Each year, they present a brand-new story with live music, acrobatics, juggling, and humor—perfect for escaping the cold afternoon with family or a partner. Performances are at 4:30 pm, 6:30 pm, and 8:00 pm, with tickets ranging from €14 to €30. Tickets tend to sell out quickly, so booking weeks in advance is highly recommended. Price Circus Theatre.
Chocolate shops and century-old sweets for an afternoon snack in the city center
No Christmas stroll is complete without warming up with a traditional afternoon snack. Chocolatería San Ginés, opened in 1894 next to Calle Mayor and just a 2-minute walk from Plaza Mayor, is open 24 hours a day and is perfect for enjoying hot chocolate with churros (around €6). You can find more details in our guide to Chocolate with churros in San Ginés.
To buy artisanal nougat by weight, visit Casa Mira at Carrera de San Jerónimo 30, founded in 1842 and a supplier to Queen Isabella II. At Calle del Pozo 8, the Antigua Pastelería del Pozo has been making traditional puff pastries and classic King Cake without cream since 1830.
How to organize your Christmas plans in Madrid: schedules and transport
Central Madrid experiences large crowds on weekends in December. The Christmas lights are switched on every evening at 6:00 PM and remain lit until midnight from Sunday to Wednesday, and until 1:00 AM on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. On Christmas Eve and Three Kings' Day, they stay lit until 3:00 AM, and on New Year's Eve until 6:00 AM. You can find more information in our guide. Christmas lights in Madrid and in Christmas in Madrid.
The City Council has closed the city center to private cars. The best option is to walk or take public transport. Madrid Metro and Cercanías (Sol, Callao, Gran Vía, Sevilla and Ópera stations). We recommend scheduling your visits during the week or between 4:30 pm and 6:00 pm to avoid crowds.
Discover it with us on the free Christmas tour
At 4U Madrid Walking Tour, we experience Christmas from the inside out. Every afternoon at 5:15 pm, we conduct our free Christmas-themed walking tour in Spanish, starting from the Sevilla Metro station exit (Line 2), opposite the Four Seasons Hotel Madrid, with our purple umbrella.
During a 2.5-hour walking tour, we explore Canalejas, century-old pastry shops like El Pozo and Lhardy, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Cortylandia, discovering the history of grapes, nativity scenes and the lottery.
It's a pay-what-you-want free tour: you don't pay anything when you book your spot online, and at the end of the tour, you contribute what you feel is appropriate based on your experience. We organize small groups of 2 to 8 people to ensure a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. Those under 18 are welcome and don't need to book.
Frequently asked questions about Christmas plans in Madrid
Before your visit
Christmas activities begin at the end of November with the lighting of the lights and the opening of the market in Plaza Mayor and Cortylandia, concluding on January 6th after the Epiphany holiday.
Among the free options are Cortylandia in Preciados, the booths in Plaza Mayor, the lighting of the main streets and the monumental nativity scenes in Sol and the Royal Palace.
During your stay
Chocolatería San Ginés is open 24 hours. Cortylandia offers passes until 3:00 PM on December 24th and 31st, and in the afternoon on December 25th and January 1st. The Plaza Mayor market is open daily until December 31st.
Reserve your spot online for free. For two and a half hours, explore the festive spots in the city center with our local guide, and at the end, give a donation you feel is fair based on your experience. Secure your place on our Christmas walking tour before the busiest dates are filled. Book your place on the Christmas Tour
