Christmas: Children, plans to do in the capital
Madrid is an ideal city to visit with children, especially during Christmas, a time when it is especially charming with its lights and offers hundreds of activities in which the little ones are the protagonists.
In this article we propose some of the best things to do in the capital with children if you visit during these dates. We give you some ideas for the whole family full of Christmas spirit to enjoy an unforgettable holiday while staying at our wonderful 5-star hotel in Madrid.
See the Christmas Lights
The switching on of the lights marks the start of Christmas in Madrid and fills its streets with illusion and Christmas spirit. That's why we begin our guide by suggesting a pleasant family stroll to contemplate the different designs that adorn more than 200 streets in the capital.
Christmas lights can be found in all 21 districts of Madrid, including the large Christmas tree in Puerta del Sol or Plaza Mayor, the giant ball in Gran Vía or the lights that decorate the impressive 18-metre high natural Christmas tree in Plaza de España.
To the delight of young and old alike, the illumination of the Retiro Park is not to be missed. As a curiosity, this is the first year that the Madrid City Council has decided to decorate this unmissable corner of the capital with lights and it is well worth seeing.
Cortylandia
Children, plans to do in the capital
The Cortylandia show is a classic in the capital. The catchy song sung by the little dolls that decorate the façade of El Corte Inglés de Callao has accompanied the people of Madrid for more than forty years.
This year, the whole family can enjoy a giant wooden castle with a screen in the middle showing short animated films while German nutcrackers prepare gifts for the guests and the dancers and forest animals have a big party.
See Christmas markets in Madrid
Madrid's Christmas markets are ideal for the whole family to enjoy.
In the capital you can find a wide variety of proposals for all tastes, such as the traditional market in the Plaza Mayor, options inspired by the classic German Christmas markets, and even some with an ice rink, such as the street market in the Plaza de Juan Goytisolo.
The Three Wise Men Factory
At the Factory of the Three Wise Men (Pº de Juan Antonio Vallejo - Nájera Botas, 41), children will be able to personally deliver their letters to the Three Wise Men from the East from 26 November to 5 January 2022. In addition, they will also be able to see how the toys are made live and visit the different areas of the factory, such as the surveillance areas, the sewing workshop and the wood workshop.
In addition, all visitors will receive a code to participate in the Hidden Toy game and follow different clues to find various prizes hidden throughout the city.
Visit the Nativity Scene at Madrid City Hall
Setting up the Nativity Scene is one of the Christmas traditions most shared with the family and Madrid also joins in this tradition with its municipal Nativity Scene, which you can visit in the former Operations Courtyard of CentroCentro (formerly known as the Palacio de Cibeles).
You can enjoy a traditional Hebrew style Nativity Scene with 20 realistic buildings and 200 unique figures that have been moulded by the artist José Luis Mayo.
Madrid City Council's Nativity Scene has a surface area of 45 m2 and recreates seven classic scenes such as the Annunciation to the Virgin, the search for the inn, the adoration of the Child and the Three Wise Men's parade.
Christmas workshops at the Planetarium
At the Madrid Planetarium you will find two activities aimed at children between the ages of six and ten, in which the youngest members of the family can discover the world of the constellations, learn about our planet and travel through the Solar System. In these activities they will also be able to create their own moon phase simulator and, together, you can visit the Planetarium and the Projection Room.
You can enjoy the Constellation Detective activity on 23, 26 and 28 December and the Mysterious Planet activity on 29 and 30 December and 4 January.
