The Christmas spirit has been among us for a few weeks now, ever since we started seeing the first traditional elements of this time of year, like Polvorones and Nougats in supermarkets or Christmas trees and lights in different cities.
In Madrid this atmosphere is one of the most appreciated and attracts foreign and domestic tourists, because the city dresses up and the atmosphere is so festive and Christmas-like that it seems magical. Besides Christmas theme parks or ice rinks, lights, trees and nativity scenes are among the the decorations that the public likes the most.
Until when will the Christmas lights be on in Madrid?
The switching on of the Christmas lights in Madrid takes place on Thursday afternoon of this November 28, with a grand opening at Puerta del Sollike the previous year. These lights will illuminate the city until January 6, 2025, Three Kings Day.
At Madrid Christmas 2024-2025 they will shine 7,100 light chains121 cherry trees, 10 large illuminated fir trees and several figurative nativity scenes. As a novelty, this year a new model of Christmas tree debuts at Puerta del Sol, measuring 37 meters high, carrying more than 3,300 red balls and crowned by a large star. Added to this is the figure of a giant angel with 18 meters and 36,400 light points that will illuminate the Plaza de Colón.
What time do the Christmas lights come on in Madrid?
Madrid City Hall has shared the official lights calendar for the capital. The official lighting day, November 28, will take place at 7:00 p.m., at Puerta del Sol and by the national football coach, Luis de la Fuente.
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Sunday to Thursday: 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. (except Thursday November 24, from 7:00 p.m.)
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Fridays and Saturdays: 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
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December 5, 6, 7 and 8 from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.
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December 24 and January 5: from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.
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December 31: 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Where to see Christmas lights in Madrid?
There are specific places that are a must to enjoy Christmas lights in Madrid. As in previous years, the main places The places to see the most impressive Christmas lights will be, among others, on Gran Vía, Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España or Plaza Mayor:
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Gran Via
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Spain Square
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Gate of the Sun
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Mayor Square
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Main street
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Carmen Street
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Alcalá Street with Gran Vía
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Cardenal Cisneros Square, Moncloa
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Columbus Square
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Prado promenade
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Cibèle Square
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Alcalá Gate
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Retiro Park
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Velazquez Street
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Gloriette of Emperor Charles V
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Canovas del Castillo Square
Where are the Christmas trees in Madrid?
This year there is 10 Christmas trees or luminous fir trees spread throughout the city. That means there are fewer than last year, including two fewer, as there were 11 of those giant ornaments that attract so much attention.
As in previous years, they decorate some of the most emblematic squares and places in the city, such as Plaza de España, Puerta del Sol, Madrid Río or Plaza Mayor. For information, the municipal council indicated the following. “The large luminous tree installed every year at Puerta del Sol will launch a new design this year with almost 37 meters high (12 floors) and will be crowned with a star. “It will feature 245,000 light points, highly energy-efficient LEDs and more than 3,360 red balls of 30, 20 and 15 centimeters.”
Where are the nurseries in Madrid?
At the moment the route of the 2024-2025 Christmas nativity scenes in the capital is unknown but, as has happened on other occasions, there is not much variation between those of previous years. Last year, one of the must-sees was the Madrid City Hall Nativity Scene by José Luis Mayo Lebrija, from the Palacio de Cibeles Center.
The Madrid organization reported the novelty of this year regarding one of its nativity scenes: “The large illuminated nativity scene that in recent years was in the Plaza de Colón moves next to the Metropolis building at the confluence of Gran Vía and Alcalá streets, composed of a three-dimensional figure 10 meters high, 4.60 meters wide and 2 meters deep, the structure is made of aluminum profiles that form the exterior contour and highlight the figures which make up the surface of the birth.
. On the other hand, other towns and villages in Madrid also have their own nativity scenes, some of them life-size or live.
Christmas poster 2024-2025 in Madrid
Like every year, Christmas in Madrid is represented through a poster that announces all the activities and news that will take place during these holidays. The poster is once again the work of Pablo García Conde-Corbal, known artistically as Polinho Trapalleiroarchitect and illustrator, recognized for his speed of execution and his ability to interpret and capture the essence of each place in his creations.
For this year 2024-2025, it is inspired by the Puerta de Alcalá as a symbol of entry into the city, using anachronism to unite the eras and emphasize the transcendence of Christmas values. Weak the motto “Christmas Gate of Madrid” The poster shows a Christmas scene in front of Puerta de Alcalá, in a journey through time.
Christmas poster 2024-2025 in Madrid
“The scene develops around a performance of The Adoration of the Three Kingswork by Juan Bautista Maíno, exhibited at the Prado Museum. The luminous spheres that levitate above the characters represent the different values of Christmas. Its magic, in the form of beams of light, reaches Madrid passing through the Puerta de Alcalá, extolling its original function as “Gate of the City”, they explain in a note from Madrid City Hall.
