14 Things to Do in Madrid in December

No one doubts that the sheer number of places to see in Madrid makes visiting it always a great idea. However, there is still a certain idea that the colder months, such as December, are not the best months to visit the capital.

If you are one of those who think that, I can only advise you to change your mind, as the city offers great attractions at this time of year. Besides, in the last month of the year the temperatures don't get dangerously close to 0ºC and you can often enjoy the warm winter sun. Read on and discover the best plans in the Villa!

Are you familiar with the concept of videomapping? If not, I'll explain it to you straight away: it's a spectacle of three-dimensional images accompanied by music and animations. During Christmas in Madrid, a monument of the city is transformed thanks to this technology: the Palacio de Cibeles.

The façade of the modernist building becomes a kaleidoscope of colours that will leave you open-mouthed. To get an idea, you can take a look at the official 2021 video.

To immerse yourself even more in the Christmas atmosphere, you can take advantage of another classic in the capital: the bus that runs through the most emblematic streets for travellers to enjoy the lights and decorations. Remember to book your tickets well in advance!

Who said you can't enjoy a terrace in winter? In December, daytime temperatures can be pleasant and if the temperatures drop too low, there is an alternative: winter terraces.

In the list below I have compiled the best options in the capital. Most of them are located in the centre, although there is no shortage of options a bit further away from Puerta del Sol. Don't worry, you can get there easily by public transport.

• El jardín de Arzábal: this is the restaurant of the Reina Sofía Museum and on its glazed rooftop terrace you can enjoy excellent market cuisine using high quality Mediterranean ingredients. Despite its large size, it is advisable to book in advance (Calle de Santa Isabel 52).
• Villa Verbena: located on the viewpoint of the Casa de Campo, it is perfect if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle and relax on the banks of a lake. Although it opened its doors in 2021, it has quickly become a classic on Sundays in Madrid (Paseo de María Teresa 3).
• DoñaLuz: a rooftop just a few metres from Sol. When you walk through the door you will enter a colourful space whose decoration takes you back to Cartagena de Indias. Make the most of your stay to enjoy a cocktail and take some panoramic photos (Calle Montera 10/12).
• La Antoñita: this is the restaurant of the boutique hotel La Posada del Dragón. You can dine in the inner courtyard of a building that preserves part of Madrid's Christian walls and a horse trough dating back to the 19th century (Calle Cava Baja 14).
• El Jardín de Alma: a terrace of more than 1,000 square metres surrounded by luxuriant vegetation (Calle Arturo Soria 207).
• Saporem: where every dinner becomes a gastronomic experience. If you want a bite to eat, you can trust them (Calle Ventura de la Vega 5).

In December, sunset arrives after five in the afternoon and, in a few hours, the last rays of sunlight give way to night. This is the ideal time to go on a ghost tour of Madrid.

Like any self-respecting capital city, Madrid is also home to spirits and tormented souls. If you want to find out about their vicissitudes, you can take part in an urban tour that will take you to the foot of haunted buildings. In most cases, the walks are enriched with 3D effects.

The best known stage is the Palacio de Linares, the current headquarters of Casa de América. Its oldest tenant goes by the name of Raimundita. According to legend, she was the daughter of the businessman José de Murga and Raimunda de Osoria.

If you are planning a stay of about 5 days in Madrid, you can dedicate one of them to an excursion to Toledo. Its origins date back to Roman times and after the fall of the empire, it was the ancient capital of the Visigothic kingdom.

For many years, Christians, Muslims and Jews lived together peacefully and their temples have survived the passage of time. That is why Toledo is a fascinating city and well worth a day trip.

Moreover, at Christmas time, its streets are filled with lights, street markets and cultural events. In the central Plaza de Zocodover, a traditional merry-go-round attracts children and families, as do the nativity scenes scattered throughout the old town.

Flamenco shows in the capital are usually packed with people, which is a good thing because it makes for a better atmosphere. The not so good part of it is that some people run out of tickets.

But the good thing about going to Madrid in December is that you will have more chances to get your ticket and enjoy this marvel. Don't worry, the place will still be full and the atmosphere will be the same.

This activity is a perfect way to get to know the Spanish culture and experience an incredible night. What's more, they usually include a drink and dinner with typical Spanish dishes. Can you think of a better way to enjoy a night out in Madrid? Not for me, really.

If it's not your first time in the Spanish capital, you've probably already been to famous museums such as the Prado or the Reina Sofía. That's why this time I'd like to recommend some lesser-known and different, but also very interesting museums.

Besides, in December in Madrid it gets cold, so they're an excellent way to take cover and shelter without wasting time.

• Sweet Space Museum: if you're an Instagram lover, you'll love this museum. It has unique and interactive spaces where you can of course take some very Instagrammable photos to upload to your networks. You'll have a great time, I assure you.
• Museum of Illusions: this museum will trick your mind, as it is full of visual illusions that will stimulate your imagination and your logic. It is perfect for children, so if you go to Madrid with your family, I highly recommend it.
• Las Ventas Museum: Las Ventas bullring is an icon of Madrid and inside it houses a very interesting museum about bullfighting culture. If you are a fan of this world, make a note of it in your itinerary.

Las Rozas Village is a beautifully decorated open-air venue with 100 boutiques of some of the best brands, both national and international, and all kinds of items (fashion, tableware, accessories...). It's on the outskirts of Madrid and the best thing about it is that it's characterised by the fact that the shops offer great discounts, which can reach up to 60%.

The good thing about booking a trip to Las Rozas Village is that it includes a gift card of up to €100 that you can spend at the venue.

Armani, Versace, Calvin Klein and Dolce & Gabanna... If you go to Madrid in December you'll be close to Christmas, so it's a great time to make the most of your visit and buy some gifts.

If there's one dish of Spanish gastronomy that's famous the world over, it's churros, and what better time to try them in one of the best places in Spain than in the middle of winter, accompanied by a good chocolate?

But I suggest something even better: combine it with a Segway tour to not only please your palate, but also your tourist spirit, as this way you can kill two birds with one stone: get to know the city and have a drink in the same activity, as the tour includes both.

Besides, have you ever tried a Segway? It's a very comfortable and easy-to-use means of transport that will allow you to discover the city without getting tired of it.

In the last month of the year, the Asociación Madrileña de Oficios Artesanos organises a street market to showcase the best of local crafts. For the occasion, a covered structure is erected on the pedestrian boulevard. Its more than 150 stands display ceramics, jewellery and costume jewellery, hats, toys, brass objects and much more.

The market is usually opened on 1 December and dismantled on 31 December. The market is open daily from 11:00 to 21:00, while on Christmas Eve it closes at 17:00.

After your stroll, you can have a coffee at El Espejo Nouveau. You'll recognise it by its elegant Art Nouveau terrace.

Since the 1990s, Madrid has hosted the most important Gospel Festival in the country. Even if you are not religious, I advise you to buy a ticket to enjoy a unique show. The energy of hits such as "Oh, happy day", "Amazing Grace", "What a friend we have in Jesus" will transport you to the churches of the United States.

In the capital, the event takes place at the Fernán Gómez Centro Cultural de la Villa, a theatre in the heart of Plaza Colón. Generally, each concert lasts between one and two hours.

During Christmas, thousands of elves and Father Christmas invade the streets of the capital. The Father Christmas Run is 5 kilometres long and takes place along the Paseo de Recoletos/Castellana or around the Retiro Park.

It is not a sporting activity but a charity event that has become a tradition. The price is affordable - between 10 € and 15 € per person - and includes the full Santa Klaus costume (trousers, jacket, belt, hat and beard) or elf costume (for children under 12 years old), a race bib, a chip and a diploma certifying your participation.

Every year,the Real Casa de Correos hosts a forest of Christmas fir trees. Anyone who wishes to do so can enter the hall, write their resolutions on a piece of paper and hang it on a branch.

The tradition is very popular with the kids, so it's a great idea if you're looking for something to do with your children in Madrid. It's very easy to get here as it's located at Spain's kilometre zero: Puerta del Sol.

On the occasion of Constitution Day (6 December), the Lower House of the Spanish Parliament opens its doors to the general public. The visit is free but you must book your ticket in advance on the official website of the Congress and, once under the lions, you must present your ID card or passport to gain access.

The tour starts in the hall of Isabel II, passes through the Salón de los Pasos Perdidos, the Escritorios del Reloj, the Constitution and ends in the Hemicycle.

On the same date you can also visit the Senate. In this case, the route starts in Plaza de la Marina Española, a small public space a short distance from the Royal Palace. The walk passes through:

• The Old Plenary Hall
• The Offices of Honour of the Presidency
• The Salón de Pasos Perdidos (Hall of Lost Steps)
• The Library
• And the rooms dedicated to Manuel Broseta Pont and Manuel Giménez Abad.

From the end of November until the beginning of January, the Teatro Circo Price hosts a Christmas show with acrobats, dancers and contortionists.

It has been running since 2006 and each year delights the people of Madrid with a new production. In 2021, for example, the Kermesse told the story of the heroine Cometa and the villainous Amargador, the king of a thousand disguises who wants to spoil Christmas.

It is located at Ronda de Atocha 35 and occupies a former biscuit factory. For more information about opening times and opening hours, I recommend you take a look at the official website.

Of course it is! The Christmas atmosphere and the shopping are more than enough reasons to book a ticket. Don't worry too much about the cold, although it is at an average altitude of 600 metres above sea level, the winters are not as harsh as in other parts of Europe.

Clearly, you'll find lower temperatures than if you'd visited Madrid in autumn, but the worst month is likely to be January. In December, you'll often find clear skies and mild weather in the middle of the day.