Do we need to go to the switch-on ceremony?

No. Last year the lights stayed on until January 6, so any evening works. Last year's switch-on was in Plaza de Cibeles with a light show and live music, so pick another night for a calmer walk.

Can we see everything in one night?

No, last year the lights reached all 21 districts. For one evening, stay in the center: Calle Alcalá between Cibeles and Sol, Calle Preciados, Calle Arenal and Plaza Mayor are all lit and close together.

Is there a Christmas market on the route?

Yes, Plaza Mayor has a traditional Christmas market right beside its lights, a natural stop for snacks and gifts.

Which metro stop is the best place to start?

Sol, in the middle of the center. From there Calle Arenal leads to Ópera and Calle Alcalá leads down to Cibeles, both fully lit.

Madrid with Kids in Winter, 2 of 8

UpcomingFestival

Christmas Lights Across Madrid

When: Dates to be announced
Ages: All ages
Price: Free

FestivalCentro

Where

Centro, Puerta del Sol

Ages

All ages

Setting

Outdoors

Plan for

An evening walk of 1 to 2 hours in the center, more visits for other districts

Coverage

All 21 districts last year; plan by neighborhood

What you need to know

Kids' drawings become lights, so first and second graders can hunt for designs by kids their age
Central Madrid is the densest part, with Calle Alcalá, Calle Arenal and Plaza Mayor close enough for one evening walk
Free and no tickets, so you can pop in for 30 minutes or stay for hours

About

Millions of LED lights turn streets, plazas and buildings across Madrid into one big Christmas trail. Designer displays, giant fir trees, glowing nativity scenes and bulbs drawn by first and second graders in a school contest give kids plenty to hunt for. Gran Vía, Calle Alcalá and Plaza Mayor are the classics.

Free

Dates to be announced

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Where it is

Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol, 28013 Madrid, Spain

Getting there

Metro: Sol (1 min walk), Callao (6 min walk), Ópera (7 min walk)
Bus: Benavente (3 min walk), Sevilla (4 min walk)

Nearby playgrounds

Resources

Event website
Official page from the organizer.

Common questions

More this weekend

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More family picks, Friday to Sunday.