With the lighting of the Christmas lights and the inauguration of the Nativity Scene at the City Hall, Christmas begins in Madrid. Every year it becomes more difficult to choose which acts to see. Locals or those who live in the capital have more days to enjoy different shows, but visitors who come to the capital these days have to be very clear about what to see in the city to be able to contemplate the greatest number of events possible.
In addition to the Christmas shows, the traditional markets and the lights of emblematic streets, such as Gran Vía Plaza de España or the trees along the Paseo de la Castellana, visitors can visit municipalities in the region, such as Torrejón de Ardoz or Getafe, where large Christmas fairs have been set up with many attractions for adults and children.
In the capital of Madrid, events such as the Christmas bus, Naviluz, are held to take a walk looking at the lights of the urban center or Nature Encendida, which this year has moved to the Parque Enrique Tierno Galván-Auditorio Anfiteatro Romano and whose central theme this year is the insects and the magical world inhabited by majestic butterflies, bees, giant dragonflies, spiders... and endless other animals.
In addition, this year the Juvenalia fair, a historic one in the capital, has been moved to Christmas dates. It will be operational from December 22 to January 7 at Ifema. In addition to games for the little ones in families, there will be live musical performances and many surprises. La Vanguardia highlights some of the activities that can be enjoyed in Madrid during these endearing dates.
The classic Circo Price, located at Ronda de Atocha, number 35, offers this year the show The Tree House by Emiliano Sánchez Alessi. The theater floor becomes an imaginary forest where guests from all corners of the world come to tell their Christmas customs to the masters of ceremonies, Sara and José. Prices for this show range between 15 and 30 euros. And the performances of this iconic montage can be seen from November 24 to January 6.
Circlassica Circo Mundial is another of the circus venues that is beginning to consolidate itself around Christmas time in Madrid. This year, a cast of more than 30 artists offer juggling, somersaults, acrobatics and endless circus performances under the orders of their master of ceremonies, one of the greats in the world of circus in our country. The show is the most intimate and personal project of Manuel González Villanueva, and the live music, under the baton of maestro Germán Díaz, manages to involve the audience. Circlassica, a new show from Sonrisas producers, is located at the Ifema fairgrounds. Tickets range from 20 to 52 euros depending on the location and date.
The Naviluz bus, an event organized by the City Council, runs through the most emblematic streets of the city to see the Christmas lights in the center. This year the departure point has been changed, since the buses leave from Felipe IV Street and end at Plaza Cánovas del Castillo. The price is 7 euros for adults and free for children under 6 years old, but tickets must be reserved for all family members to organize places. If visitors have run out of places in Naviluz, the Experience Travel Tours company offers a similar service from 7.20 euros per person from November 24 to January 4. The tour lasts 40 minutes and each group can accommodate up to 53 people.
A place where Christmas is palpable is in Torrejón de Ardoz. This Madrid municipality has been becoming the first European Christmas capital for years, installing two ferris wheels in its fairgrounds, the largest nativity scene in Spain, an ice rink on a lake and many carousels for children and not so children. This year, as a novelty, the Asian lantern festival will be presented, with more than a kilometer of lights and fantastic creatures, such as monkeys, dragons, birds... and many other surprises. This Christmas the park will be managed by Productos de Sonrisas, a company specialized in family entertainment, which has recently received the Circus 2023 award, awarded by the Ministry of Culture.
Getafe is another of Madrid's municipalities, but in this case in the South, where Christmas is experienced intensely. Its Christmas Park has more than 90 attractions for all ages in its second edition. In 25,000 square meters, one of the longest natural ice rinks in Europe, a sleigh mountain, a giant Ferris wheel and Santa Claus's house, among other entertainment, have been installed. Last year, this theme park attracted a large audience from the south of the region, who enjoyed the attractions and shows due to its proximity.
Madrid enjoys several skating rinks and Christmas markets. An almost obligatory stop is at the traditional Christmas market in the Plaza Mayor, in the capital. It has 104 stalls where you can buy Christmas decorations, party items, toys.... A Neapolitan Nativity scene has been installed in this same square, which this year commemorates the 8th centenary of the creation of the first nativity scene, in the year 1223, in the Italian town of Greccio. The characters are built on a large scale. In addition, this square enjoys the traditional Christmas lighting, where a tree designed by Roberto Verino has been installed. Along with seeing the city lighting, walking through the markets is another completely free activity.
