Madrid Christmas Market Guide 2024- Dates, Tips, Events + Things to Do

This Spanish capital is home to the oldest Christmas Market in the country, dating back to the 19th Century. The Madrid Christmas Markets are an absolute must-visit if you are planning to see the Spanish Christmas Markets. Christmas markets in Spain differ from what you will find in other parts of Europe. Spanish Christmas markets, while charming in their own way, are not quite as over-the-top as the German Christmas markets. After three visits to Madrid, I’ve decided December is one of the best times to visit. The weather is moderate, there aren’t many tourists, and the Madrid Christmas Market brings a festive feel to the city. Madrid is transformed during the holiday season, from Christmas markets, beautiful lighting displays, and various Winter activities. There are plenty of things to do to make your Christmas visit to Madrid special.

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission when you purchase a product or book a stay through these links at no extra cost to you. 

Before You Go
🏨 Book Pestana Plaza Mayor a luxurious hotel in the historic center of Madrid. This hotel overlooks Plaza Mayor, where the Christmas market is held.
✨Best Tours: Book this incredible Christmas Lights TukTuk tour to see the best Christmas decor in Madrid. 
🚗 Book Your Train Tickets: Train tickets in Europe tend to increase the closer it gets to the departure date. Book your tickets now for the best deal!

Madrid Christmas Market Overview

Madrid Christmas Markets 2024 Dates

The official Madrid Christmas Markets 2024 dates are from November 29th to December 31st, 2024.

Madrid Christmas Market Hours 

Monday-Thursday: 10 am-9 pm

Friday, Saturday, and Christmas Eve: 10 am-10 pm

Madrid Christmas Market

Where to Stay When Visiting Madrid’s Christmas Market

You may be wondering where the best place to stay in Madrid at Christmas is. As the Christmas market in Madrid is located in Plaza Mayor, you should consider finding a hotel nearby. Here are a couple of the top recommendations: 

Pestana Plaza Mayor

For a hotel near Plaza Mayor, I recommend the Pestana Plaza Mayor, a luxurious hotel in the historic center of Madrid. This hotel overlooks Plaza Mayor, where the Christmas market is held. Be sure to book a room with a Plaza Mayor view; you won’t regret it! Not only are you near the Madrid Christmas Market, but you will also be in a fantastic central location for exploring the rest of Madrid.

Hyatt Centric Gran Via Madrid

As the Christmas Market in Madrid is fairly small, you may have some other intentions during your Christmas trip to Madrid, like shopping. If you plan on doing plenty of shopping, consider staying along the Gran Via. The Hyatt Centric Gran Via Madrid is perfect for shopping along this bustling shopping street. And the Hyatt is only a stone’s throw away from Plaza Mayor.
 

Find More Great Hotels Near the Madrid Christmas Market

Check out this Booking.com map to see what hotels are available during your visit. Keep in mind that Christmas is a busy time to visit Madrid, so be sure to secure your hotel by booking now.



Booking.com

 

Madrid Christmas Market Locations 

While there is one main Christmas Market in Madrid, there are various Christmas Markets popping up in the city that are well worth checking out.

Plaza Mayor Christmas Market

The Plaza Mayor Christmas Market is the official Madrid Christmas Market. This market dates back to the 19th Century and is one of the longest-running and most well-known Christmas markets in Spain. Madrid’s Plaza Mayor is transformed into a Christmas Market with 104 stands. These red stands have a festive feel and sell various nativity scene figures and toys.

This market is open all day, yet the best time to visit is early in the evening when Plaza Mayor is illuminated with Christmas lights. One of the best illuminations in Madrid is the candles on the buildings in Plaza Mayor.

Madrid Christmas Market Madrid Christmas Market

Feria Dulces de Navidad (Christmas Sweets Fair)

If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to visit the Christmas Sweets Fair in front of the Royal Theater in Plaza Isabel. Here you can try delicious Christmassy treats from all over Spain. There aren’t any stands selling Christmas sweets at the Plaza Mayor Christmas Market, so you will want to visit both in order to get the full Madrid Christmas Market experience.

Feria Mercado de Artesanía

The Feria Mercado de Artesanía is an annual artisan market featuring 180 workshops. This is a great spot to go for Christmas gifts. You’ll find everything from handmade toys, musical instruments, jewelry, ceramics, and more.

What to Buy at the Madrid Christmas Market

Belén

The number one thing to buy at the Madrid Christmas Market is a Belén, which is the Spanish name for the Nativity Scene. At the Christmas market in Madrid, you can find everything you will need to build your Nativity Scene, including figurines, moss, and more.

Madrid Christmas Market

Joke Items

One unusual thing you will find at the Madrid Christmas Market is stands selling various joke items. These are sold for the Day of the Holy Innocents, which is Spain’s version of April Fool’s Day on December 28th. These joke items make a fun gift, especially for kids.

Madrid Christmas Market

Other Things to do in Madrid at Christmas

Naviluz Christmas Bus

Madrid is beautifully decorated with lights during the holiday season. If you want to experience the light displays without walking through the cold, there is the Naviluz Christmas Bus. The Navilus Christmas Bus is a 45-minute long bus tour that brings you past the best light displays in the city. Costing only 4 euros for adults, this bus tour is a great way to experience the Christmas decorations in Madrid. 

Madrid Light Displays

Throughout the Christmas season, Madrid decorates the streets with elaborate light displays. No matter where you visit in the city, you are sure to find twinkling lights and decorations in various squares and streets. Some of the best spots to see lights in Madrid are the  Plaza Mayor,  Alcala Street, Velázquez Street, and along the Gran Via. Yet, there are wonderful light displays in the entire city. One of the best ways to see the lights is through this fun TukTuk tour around the city.

Madrid Lights

The Lights of the Royal Botanic Garden

Madrid’s Royal Botanic Garden, located next to El Retiro Park, is transformed into a sparkling Christmas Garden with Christmas lights and original light figures. This exhibit is part of the “Christmas Garden” project and is a wonderful way to experience the gardens in the evening.

The Lights of the Royal Botanic Garden

Churros at Chocolateria San Gines

While Chocolateria San Gines is not technically a Christmas-time activity, I couldn’t think of a better time to enjoy churros from this Madrid staple. Warm up with a serving of churros in this iconic spot. Nothing says “the most wonderful time of the year” like indulging in churros and chocolate.  

San Gines Madrid

San Gines Churros

Special Christmas Lottery

Each year, there is a Special Christmas lottery, which almost all Spanish residents enter. The best part is this lottery is open to everyone. As a visitor, you are free to enter the lottery and join in on the fun. The lottery is drawn on December 22nd at the Opera House. Attending the lottery is free, on a first-come-first-served basis. This is a great way to experience a big Spanish Christmas tradition and see the interior of the Opera House.

Madrid Christmas Market: Wrap-up

This wraps up the guide to visiting the Christmas Market in Madrid. December is a wonderful time to visit Madrid and Spain in general: the temperature is mild, and the Christmas Market adds an additional thing to experience. While I wouldn’t visit the Madrid Christmas Market with the notion that you will have the quintessential European Christmas Market experience, you will surely enjoy your time visiting Madrid. 

For more travel inspiration, check out these posts:
🎄  Barcelona Christmas Market Guide
🎅  The Best Christmas Markets in Poland
For more New York travel, check out my Spain section!  

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