Christmas Lights in Madrid

UPDATED NOVEMBER 2019

Chrismas Lights will be lit on November 22 2019 at 19:30

It's the most magical time of the year and Madrid is spreading that Christmas cheer with warming Nativity scenes, beautiful decor and jaw-dropping illumination. Last night I set off to find the best Madrid Christmas lights equipped with my camera, tripod and an extremely patient husband. Madrid may not be famous for its Christmas markets like other European capitals but still has a lot to offer. Join us on our tour to see the capital of Spain shine like you have never seen before!

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN MADRID: THE SCHEDULE

The Christmas lights switch-on happens every year at the end of November, in 2019 it will be on the 22nd. The major activates the switch and the magic invades the streets of Madrid. From then until January 6, the lights are on every day at 6 pm.

The times for the Christmas lights are:

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday: 6 pm to 11 pm
• Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and the night before national holidays: 6 pm until midnight
• Dec 25, Jan 1 & 6: 6 pm until midnight
• Dec 24, Jan 5: 6 pm to 3 am
• Dec 31: 6 pm to 6 am

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN MADRID: THE MAIN STREETS

There's a bus called Naviluz that tours the most emblematic streets in Madrid to see their Christmas illuminations. Tickets are quickly sold out so you have to book them as early as you can next year.

This year all that's left to do is walk and this is the tour I recommend:
Start in Calle Serrano. You can get there via metro (line 4 or line 9 stopping at Nuñez de Baloboa or Principe de Vergara) or cercanias (stop at Recoletos). Serrano and nearby streets like Jorge Juan are full of luxury stores, restaurants and cafes which are also beautifully decorated this time of the year.

Puerta de Alcala (pictured above), one of the most important monuments in Madrid, is at the beginning of Serrano. You will always see people taking pictures in front of it. With its spectacular decorations, it’s one of the walk’s highlights.

Follow the lights on calle Alcala (the longest street in Madrid) to the City Hall and Cibeles fountain. Right here you can also see the jabreath-taking lightning of Banco de España and Casa de America.

Continue straight on and you'll get to the iconic Metropolis building at the start of Gran Via. Worth mentioning is the beautiful Circulo de Bellas Artes, an impressive building with beautiful painted walls inside (think of a mini-Sistine Chapel) and a rooftop that offers jaw-dropping views of Madrid.

Final stop is Puerta del Sol, the heart of Madrid and Spain because it’s the center of the Spanish road network. This bustling square is all always full of people ans especially during Christmas time. Every year, there is a huge metallic Christmas tree. This is also the place where many Madrileños welcome the new year. The strikes of the clock in Puerta del Sol mark the traditional eating of the 12 grapes that give way to a new year.

You can also end your tour with the Christmas market in Plaza Mayor or have chocolate con churros in Chocolateria San Gines but bear in mind that these places are overcrowded during the holidays.

Read more about how we celebrate the holidays in Spain here.
Find more ideas of what to do in Madrid this holiday season here.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN MADRID: MAP

Have you been to Madrid during the holiday season? What your favorite place in the world to see Christmas lights?

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