What to Do in Madrid in December: Weather, Christmas Markets and Events

December weather: cold and often bright

Source: AEMET, normal values for the Madrid-Retiro station (1981-2010). These are averages: a frosty morning or a 15 °C afternoon are both possible. Night falls around 6 pm and the dry cold is quickly felt when you wait outdoors. For the whole season, see Madrid in winter.

Public holidays, crowds and prices in December

In 2026, the December holidays form a long weekend: 6 December (Constitution Day) falls on a Sunday and is moved to Monday 7 December, followed by the Immaculate Conception, Tuesday 8 December. The break from Saturday 5 to Tuesday 8 December is one of the most popular of the year: full hotels, rising prices, busy museums. Then come Friday 25 December (Christmas), a public holiday, and 1 January. On 24 and 31 December many shops and restaurants close early; on the 25th most are closed. Book restaurants early for the 24th and 31st, and check museum hours. To choose an area and estimate the cost of your stay, see where to stay in Madrid and the Madrid travel budget. The central streets are very busy, so watch for pickpockets: scams and safety in Madrid.

December 2026 events

Christmas lights and the Plaza Mayor market

In 2025, the city switched on its decorations on Saturday 22 November at Plaza de Cibeles, for more than 240 locations in the 21 districts until 6 January, every evening from 6 pm. The Plaza Mayor Christmas market (104 stalls of nativity figures, decorations and jokes) opened there on 27 November, until 31 December. The 2026 dates had not been published at the time of writing. Details and hours are in the Christmas in Madrid page. Streets to walk in the evening: calle de Alcalá, Gran Vía, Preciados, calle Mayor, calle del Arenal.

Nativity scenes and the Naviluz bus

The nativity scenes of the city (at the Cibeles Palace) and of the Community of Madrid (Puerta del Sol) are free; the Cibeles one required a booked slot in 2025. The open-top Naviluz bus (paid ticket, sold online) tours the lit-up streets in about 50 minutes. Book as soon as sales open: weekends go fast.

Tuesday 22 December: Christmas lottery

The El Gordo draw takes place every 22 December at the Teatro Real: the children of the San Ildefonso school sing the numbers, live on television. In the days before, long queues form outside the best-known lottery shops in the centre.

30 and 31 December: the twelve grapes

At midnight on the 31st, Spaniards eat one grape at each of the twelve chimes of the clock at the Puerta del Sol. In recent years the square has been cleared and reopened through police-filtered entrances, with a capacity of 15,000; glass bottles and firecrackers are banned. The "preúvas" on 30 December rehearse the twelve chimes in a less dense atmosphere: a good option with children. Some Sol metro exits may be closed: get off at a nearby station.

Late December: shows

Theatres stage Christmas shows, often for families. For ideas, see musicals in Madrid and Madrid with children.

What to wear in December

• A warm coat, hat, scarf and gloves: you stand for a long time for the lights and on the 31st.
• Layers to go from icy streets to well-heated museums.
• Comfortable shoes: the streets of the centre are very busy and the ground is sometimes wet.
• A closed bag worn in front of you in the crowd.

The best things to do in December

• In the evening, from 6 pm: the lights, a walk from the Plaza Mayor to the Gran Vía via the Puerta del Sol.
• Hot chocolate with churros at San Ginés.
• Museums: the Prado, the Royal Palace; book for the 5 to 8 December long weekend.
• The Retiro: the low winter light is beautiful there, see Retiro Park.
• A day trip: Toledo or Segovia, or the Sierra de Guadarrama for fresher air.

December 2026 at a glance

Going further

December follows what to do in Madrid in November and comes before what to do in Madrid in January, which covers the Three Kings and the sales. To compare every season, read the best time to visit Madrid.