Things to do in Madrid at Christmas, New Year and "Reyes Magos" (6th January)

Spanish Christmas in Madrid

On the 6th January Spanish kids
receive gifts from the Reyes Magos
- Christmas in Madrid

Christmas begins from the time the lights are turned on and the Christmas decorations are put up in the commercial areas. Do you know about everything that Madrid has prepared for you to enjoy these holidays?

Christmas Lights

Madrid comes alive for Christmas and the city does this through the works of art of prestigious artists so that the Christmas magic is multiplied throughout the whole city.
http://www.esmadrid.com/es/luces-de-navidad

 

Christmas traditions in Madrid: Nativities and Christmas Markets

There are thousands of Nativities to visit
in Christmas in Madrid

In Madrid, you can experience this Christmas period in a thousand ways, but the most traditional are visiting the Nativities and the Christmas markets. The Nativities are a recreation of the city that saw the birth of Jesus. In Madrid you will find authentic works of art that can only be visited during Christmas like the Napolitanian Nativity dated on the 18^th Century in the Palacio de Cibeles in the heart of Madrid.

So that you don’t miss out on any Nativities during the Christmas holidays, go to:
http://www.navidadmadrid.com/es/evento/117/itinerario-de-belenes-de-madrid

The Christmas markets are very popular in all of Europe. Spanish markets differ from the traditional German markets in the sense that you don’t sell food or drink because they are situated at the very centre of Madrid so they already have all the shops and cafeterias around for you to take a break and recharge your batteries. Let’s not forget the traditional “Chocolate con Churros”. In the Christmas market found in Plaza mayor you can find anything needed to make your  home very Christmassy, everything from a Nativity figure to the Christmas tree as well as toys, fancy dresses, etc. In other Christmas markets like the one in Plaza Jacinto Benavente (Close to Sol ) and the Market in Plaza de Espana, you will find cultural handmade gifts.  And millions of ideas for your Christmas presents at a very affordable price. You can find all the Christmas Markets here:
http://www.navidadmadrid.com/es/categoria/5/mercadillos

Navibus: the Christmas bus in Madrid

The touristic bus shows off Christmas in Madrid from another angle. Check the timetable here:
http://www.madrid.es/portales/munimadrid/es/Inicio/Navibus.-Autobus-de-la-Navidad?vgnextfmt=default&vgnextoid=743eef7d7266b310VgnVCM2000000c205a0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=1ccd566813946010VgnVCM100000dc0ca8c0RCRD&WT.ac=Navibus._Autobus_de_la_Navidad

Celebrate New Years in Madrid

Celebrate New Year in Puerta del Sol - Madrid

Nowadays more and more foreigners decide to spend New Years in Madrid, and what a good choice they make! Madrid is the capital of Spain and the main hub for the party scene. On this night the Spanish mix fun and tradition by welcoming the New Year by eating 12 grapes to the sounds of the bells ringing from the clock in the Puerta del Sol. From this moment until the following morning when you finish the celebration by eating “Chocolate con Churros”, we recommend the following:

“Cotillon” Party: it is the best option since the majority of them offer everything you could want without you having to leave the premises. In a Hotel, a Club, a pub or a Hall here you have all the ones you can find in Madrid:



If you prefer to improvise, Madrid has many options to offer,  you can go to the centre of Madrid and have a few drinks in one of the numerous bars that are opened in this magic time of the year. If you want more information about the most special night of the year visit the website of the Council of Madrid:
http://www.esmadrid.com/es/nochevieja-madrid
You can also book a Christmas Spanish Course in Madrid and experience all the delights of the city whilst developing your Spanish language skills at the same time. So why not give it a go?

 The “Reyes Magos”:  Parade in the streets of Madrid

Have a piece of the Roscon de Reyes
made in Madrid

The ending of this festive season in Madrid and the whole of Spain is the celebration of the “Reyes Magos” on the 6^th of January. In the nigh of the 5^th of January the “Reyes Magos” visit the houses leaving gifts behind and on the 6^th of January the whole family celebrates this with the “Roscon de Reyes”. This traditional cake hides a little surprise inside. You can buy this in the best bakeries of Madrid but we recommend one of the most famous one: “El Horno de San Onofre”.  In addition to the bakery they have in Chueca, you can also find them in San Miguel market (Close to Puerta del Sol).
http://www.hsonofre.com/
After having eaten the Roscon de Reyes, the best thing to do is to go to the centre of Madrid to see the parade. The perfect ending for the Christmas season for kids and adults and just what you need to go back to work completely recharged. If you want any more information, we recommend watching the following Christmas presentation:
http://www.fiestas-de-madrid.com/cabalgata-reyes-madrid.htm

From everyone here at the Blog of AIL Madrid we wish you a Merry Christmas!!! We will meet again in 2013!!! Enjoy yourselves!!!

Why not start your holiday planning early by treating yourself to a gift from "los Reyes Magos" in the form of a Christmas Spanish Course in Madrid this year?