Will you be spending the run up to Christmas in Madrid this year? Are you wondering if there are any traditional British festivities on offer? Are you hoping to join in with some traditional Spanish activities? Are you looking for an unusual/traditional/jokey Christmas present? Want to know which are the best Christmas markets? Interested in seeing the Christmas lights? If you answered yes to any of the above then read on for our top picks of family activities in the hectic run up to Christmas.
Wreath-making Workshop
“Jump into the fall season at our Holiday Wreath-Making Workshop! Come join us for a night of crafting and DIY fun! A wreath is a perfect way to greet your guests and get into the holiday spirit! They smell so good! We will provide all of the tools and materials, come alone or bring some friends.. You don’t want to miss this event!”
Soho Art Madrid are running workshops to make Christmas wreaths – 35€ per person, including materials, drinks and tapas! Places are limited so be sure to book ASAP.
12 November until 12 December
Calle Don Pedro, 20, Local D, 28005
Passione Italia Navidad, Mercatino Solidale SIB
Two years and a pandemic later … #PassioneItalia is back with a Christmas edition. Taste typical Italian dishes including pasta, pizza, gourmet sandwiches and typical Christmas recipes. Find the best Italian products at your fingertips including pasta, cheeses, sauces, sweets, baked goods and preserves. Buy handmade artisan products including clothes, jewellery and accessories. Children can choose from a great selection of workshops and activities. And of course adults can enjoy live music with an aperitivo!
26, 27 & 28 November
Admission 1 day 3€ or 3 days 5€
Scuola Statale Italiana di Madrid, C. Agustín de Betancourt, 1, 28003
www.passioneitalia.es/mercatino-navideno/
Plaza Mayor Christmas Market
Iconic Plaza Mayor is home to the capital’s longest running traditional Christmas market. From elaborate Christmas ornaments to delicious artisan food, and quirky handmade gifts, there are a tremendous variety of products on offer, in a classically festive setting. Organised by the Plaza Mayor Christmas Market Association, this hundred-year-old fair is one of the city’s most beloved traditions.
26 November until 31 December
Monday to Thursday & Sunday 10am to 9pm
Friday, Saturday & the eve of holidays10am to 10pm
Circo Price at Christmas
Circo Price at Christmas presents a new instalment of the Cometa trilogy, an endearing and fun universe suitable for children of all ages. The Christmas show has been entertaining families in Madrid for several years and each year, it surprises with a new production. The third edition of the Cometa trilogy presents a mystery for the heroine to solve with her magical crew when a villain threatens to ruin Christmas.
26 November until 9 January
Teatro Circo Price, Ronda de Atocha, 35, 28012
Metro: Embajadores (L3, L5), Estación del Arte (formerly Atocha) (L1), Lavapiés (L3)
www.teatrocircoprice.es/programacion/circo-price-en-navidad-3
Charity Christmas Bazaar, British Ladies Association Madrid
Enjoy a traditional British Christmas Bazaar organised by the British Ladies Association of Madrid. Sample delicious baked goods, find original handicrafts and surprising little treasures on the White Elephant Stall. Also clothes stalls, toys and tombola. Refreshments will also be available. All proceeds go directly to the NGOs supported by the British Ladies Association of Madrid.
Sunday 28 November 11.30-17.30
Admission Adults 3€ / Children 1€
Hotel el Madroño, Calle General Díaz Porlier, 101
Metro: Diego de León
Saint George’s Christmas Fair
St. George’s Anglican Church, with a strong international, multicultural and missionary community, is located in the barrio of Salamanca. Join them this year for some traditional Christmas cheer, find handmade Christmas gifts for all the family, enjoy the bake sale, and try your luck on the tombola stall.
11 December 11am – 8pm
Calle Núñez de Balboa, 43
Metro: Velázquez
A Christmas Pudding
A feast of seasonal fun produced and directed by Judy MacInnes and Thisbe Burns.
This year the Madrid Players will delight you with a mix of poems, songs and sketches… with a few winks to their pantomine favourites 
PERFORMANCES WILL BE IN A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE VENUE WITH REDUCED SEATING CAPACITY AND COVID MEASURES IN PLACE. To allow for correct seating, please arrive 30 minutes before curtain-up.
The show is not a pantomime or a children’s show, but a cosy show in a small private venue. It is not suitable for young children but might be enjoyed by those over 10 years old.
Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 December
Tickets are available on Entradium. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
Centro Asturiano de Madrid, Calle de la Farmacia, 2
Metro: Tribunal / Chueca
Mercado de Diseño – Xmas Vibes
This is a great opportunity to find original gifts this holiday season. Exclusive products ranging from cosmetics, perfumery and illustration, to ceramics, furniture, florists and gourmet food will be available for purchase in this designer market. You will find more than 100 stands of art and illustration, jewellery, fashion, footwear, accessories and one of a kind Christmas presents that your loved ones will never have seen before! Alongside the market is a cultural programme with various workshops, exhibitions and live music as well as a dedicated family space, food trucks and gastronomic treats.
18 & 19 December
MEEU, Estación de Chamartín, 28036
Naviluz Christmas Bus Tour
Madrid’s Christmas lights have been designed by a series of celebrated Spanish artists and designers, who have festooned the city with everything from chandelier-inspired light sculptures to minimalist conical Christmas trees. Wander the streets at your leisure, or, to get to grips with the sheer volume of sparkling lights, hop on the Naviluz open top bus. A relatively recent addition to Madrid’s festive circuit is the rather novel dedicated Christmas Bus, offering a high-spirited tour of the spectacular Christmas lights until 6th January. The 45-minute ride starts and finishes at Plaza de Colón, and takes you on a tour of Madrid’s main streets and most magical light displays.
Every day between 26 November and 6 January except 24 & 31 December and 5 January
Departs from Plaza Colón, in front of Calle Serrano, 30
Tickets available online
Belén Viviente
Scenes from the Nativity with English narration. More than 300 volunteers from the village of El Molar re-enact biblical scenes from the time of Jesus’ birth in a stunning historical building which provides a perfect setting. Tour guides take groups of visitors from scenario to scenario filling in the story and sharing anecdotes. There are English and French speaking guides for both days.
Dates to be confirmed
Bodegas del Charcón, C/ Albariño s/n, El Molar, Madrid 28710 (buses from Plaza Castilla)
http://turismoelmolar.org/fiestas-y-eventos/
Special thanks to Dominique White, our go to MumAbroad in Madrid, for her help with this article.
Main photo: @ElenaMozhvilo on Unsplash
See more Christmas articles on MumAbroad Life:
Christmas in Barcelona for all the Family
Leave a Reply