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As soon as the Christmas season approaches, Madrid shifts into celebration mode. The nights grow longer, but the streets only get brighter, the plazas feel livelier, and the cafés become cozy havens of warm drinks and sweet treats.

Once the lights turn on, hundreds of locations across the city glow every evening, turning even simple walks into something magical. Whether you're visiting for the food, the markets, or the atmosphere, this guide will help you plan the perfect Christmas trip to Madrid.

Make your holiday in Madrid better by travelling luggage-free

If there’s one thing that can slow you down during the holidays, it’s luggage, especially when you arrive early and can’t check in yet, or when you want to enjoy your last day in Madrid without hauling suitcases along. With LUGGit, you can have your luggage picked up right where you are and delivered later to your accommodation or the airport, so you can enjoy Madrid with both hands free and zero stress.

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Christmas lights in Madrid

The official switch-on of the lights for 2025 happened on Sunday, 23 November, in Plaza de Cibeles. Over 240 illuminated sites across Madrid glow with twinkle-lit streets, archways, and displays.

For a magical experience, these are the best spots to see the Christmas lights:

Puerta del Sol - for the giant, iconic Christmas tree.
Gran Vía - features huge snowflake‑style arches.
Calle de Alcalá, Plaza de Cibeles, and Puerta de Alcalá - elegant lights and photogenic streets.

Lights switch on from 6 pm until midnight (or until 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays), so plan an evening walk or dinner stroll to catch the full sparkle.

If you want to see the lights without worrying about the crowds, the Naviluz Christmas Bus is a fun option. It glides through the main illuminated routes, giving you an overview of the city’s festive look.

The iconic Plaza Mayor Christmas Market

A visit to Madrid in December wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Plaza Mayor Christmas Market. This historic square becomes a glowing circle of red wooden stalls selling ornaments, figurines, artisan crafts, and festive decorations.

The market runs from late November until December 31, and it’s open from 10 am to 9 pm (or 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays). Each visit feels different depending on the time of day. Early evenings offer a gentler ambience, ideal for slow browsing, while weekends bring a lively buzz as both locals and visitors gather. Whether you're searching for unique gifts to bring home or just want to taste a bit of Spanish holiday tradition, Plaza Mayor is a must.

The flavours of Spanish Christmas

If you’re the type who travels for the food, Madrid during Christmas is a treat for your taste buds. Here are our recommendations:

Try Churros con chocolate, especially on colder nights or after a stroll through illuminated streets (many cafés stay open late).
Grab a mug of hot mulled wine or seasonal snacks at a market stall.
Sample classic Spanish festive sweets: turrón (nougat) and polvorones. They’re also great gifts to bring back from your holiday.

Try embracing the slower Spanish meal culture. Long lunches, late dinners, and lingering conversations are the norm, and embracing this slower pace not only enhances your experience but gives you a more genuine sense of how Madrileños enjoy their winter evenings.

Ice skating in Madrid during Christmas

Madrid doesn’t limit its holiday charm to lights and markets. Throughout the city, temporary ice skating rinks appear:

Palacio de Cibeles - a 400m² rink inside the glass-roofed Galería de Cristal, open from 13 December to 5 January.
Plaza de España - very centrally located, and part of the city’s “La Navideña” Christmas setup. Open from 25 November to 11 January.
Riyadh Air Metropolitano - one of the largest ice rinks in Europe, with 4.200m². Open from 22 December to 11 January. It also features musical performances.

These rinks bring together families, teenagers, couples, and visitors who want to enjoy a classic winter activity beneath the glow of Christmas lights.

Nativity scenes in Madrid

A cherished Christmas tradition in Spain is the display of belenes, or nativity scenes. They range from small, intricate table-top displays to elaborate installations with moving figures, water features, and detailed landscapes. Many can be found in churches, civic buildings, and cultural centres. To see some of the best belenes in Madrid, visit the Royal Palace of Madrid and the Real Casa de Correos (in Puerta del Sol).

Three Kings Parade (Cabalgata de Reyes)

In Spain, Christmas doesn’t officially wrap up on December 25th. The celebration continues into January 5th, when Madrid hosts Cabalgata de Reyes, the Three Kings Parade.

This procession travels through the city with colourful floats, music, dancing, and costumed performers who throw sweets to children along the route. The next morning, on January 6th, families exchange gifts and share a traditional cake called Roscón de Reyes, which has a tiny figurine and a bean hidden inside. If you find the figurine, good luck is yours. If you get the bean… tradition says you buy next year’s cake.

Holiday day trips from Madrid

If you’ve already experienced what Madrid has to offer during Christmas and feel like exploring other cities, try these:

Toledo becomes beautifully atmospheric as the sun sets over its medieval skyline. The narrow streets, warm lights, and hilltop views make it ideal for a full-day wander.
Segovia has its own winter magic, with the Roman aqueduct towering over the city and the fairy-tale Alcázar creating a stunning backdrop for holiday photos.
Ávila, surrounded by its iconic medieval walls, feels peaceful and charming during December.

Travel tips for a Christmas in Madrid

Book accommodation early. December tends to draw a lot of people to Madrid, including Spanish nationals.
Use public transport or walk. Traffic gets messy with festive lights and events. Metro and buses are your friends.
Dress in layers. Nights get chilly, so grab a coat, scarf, and gloves.
Plan around crowds. Weekends and nights bring out the crowds, especially around markets, lights, and main streets.
Watch out for pickpockets. Especially in crowded festive areas.

Enjoy a magical Christmas in Madrid

By the time your trip ends, you’ll probably understand why so many travellers fall in love with Madrid during the holidays. The glowing streets, traditional sweets, cultural celebrations, and warm social atmosphere make December a great time to visit. And with a bit of planning (and the help of LUGGit keeping your journey luggage-free), your holiday in Madrid becomes something unforgettable.

Book LUGGit in Madrid with code BLOG10 for 10% off