Christmas Market in Madrid
The main Christmas market each year in Madrid is in Plaza Mayor. It normally opens in the last week of November, with its official opening in the first week of December.Christmas Lights in Madrid
Much of Madrid will be covered in Christmas lights, but the most spectacular will be on Gran Via, c/Goya and c/Ortega y Gasset. The various El Corte Inglés department stores are usually well decorated, too.Official Start to Christmas
The powers-that-be in Madrid say that Christmas officially starts on December 15, with a big show in Plaza de Oriente (Metro Opera) at 8pm.Christmas for the Kids in Madrid
- In the Jardines del Descrubrimento (Gardens of Discovery) near Plaza de Colon is a light and sound display for the kids, running from December 22 until January 7.
- On the evening of December 24 there is an animal parade in Retiro Park. Thanks to Angus from Madrid-Guide-Spain.com for letting me know about this.
Nativity Scenes in Madrid
As usual, there will be nativity scenes (called Belenes in Spanish) throughout the city. The town council's nativity scene will be in Plaza de la Villa (between Metro Sol & Opera) from December 5 until January 8.
See this list of 2005 Nativity Scenes in Madrid for an idea of where else the nativity scenes will likely be this year (they are unlikely to change much). There is also an fun display for kids behind the El Corte Inglés on c/Preciados, near Sol.
Christmas Ice Rinks in Madrid
For the past two years there has been an outdoor ice rink in the Retiro park in Madrid - no doubt they will continue the tradition. There was also an ice rink opposite the Santiago Bernabeu stadium last year.Three Kings Procession in Madrid
The Three Kings Procession in Madrid starts from El Retiro and makes its way to Plaza Mayor.Thanks to MadAboutMadrid.com for much of the information on this page. The guy behind Mad About Madrid is always pretty clued up and is always up to date. It's worth subscribing to his RSS feed to stay up to date with what is going on in Madrid throughout the year.
