A Magical Stroll

Madrid wishes you a very happy Christmas Day! Because Madrid lives Christmas always in a very intense way. There are some places that you must visit at least once during the holiday: very charming and inviting spots that make up a perfect Christmas tour.

Puerta del Sol

This is a typical Spanish tradition that was born exactly a century ago to the foot of the clock of the former Casa de Correos (Post Office) at Puerta del Sol. On New Year’s Eve, a few seconds before midnight, a group of vine-growers from Alicante encouraged the citizens to eat 12 grapes with each of the chimes of the clock as a way of cutting down on the large production surplus of 1909. Since then it has been believed that following this tradition, on time and without choking, brings good luck for the following 365 days. The atmosphere in the square during the hours leading up to midnight is amazing. Everybody is looking to the clock tower, waiting for the big golden steel ball to drop while the quarters chime, which means that it’s time to eat the grapes. The mechanism of the machine is manually adjusted every New Year’s Eve by the clockmakers of Losada, the company in charge of its maintenance.

Plaza Mayor

Handmade figures to decorate the Nativity Scene, Christmas trees, tinsel, coloured baubles, lights and all kinds of decorations to make these celebrations even happier. Like in many European cities, Madrid hosts its own Christmas Market around the equestrian statue of Phillip III, in Plaza Mayor, with over a hundred stalls that are open from 10 am to 10 pm. A good excuse to visit again this traditional Madrilenian spot, one of the most popular places in the city, which was once a market place. Around the plaza (not inside it, where you can only find kitsch souvenir shops and awful touristy restaurants), in the Old Town, you can find some of the most traditional restaurants of Madrid, which are full of people drinking a toast to Christmas and the New Year.

Royal Palace

350 years ago, the King Charles III brought from Naples a magnificent Nativity Scene as a present for his two sons, Charles IV and the infante Gabriel. At first, it was made of only a few figures, but it was growing little by little with figures by renowned Italian and Spanish artists, until reaching hundreds of figures. This was the beginning of a tradition in the Royal Palace: setting up the Nativity Scene every year. This year, the palace is housing a Latin American Nativity Scene from the 18th century bought from the Museum of America of Madrid and the Colonial Art Museum of Bogotá.

Casa Mira and Doña Manolita

Made of toasted yolk, of fruits, of chocolate, hard and soft… The queues at Casa Mira are the longest. As long as since 1842, when its founder started selling turrón in a stall placed in Plaza Mayor. Nowadays, placed in Carrera de San Jerónimo, it’s one of those places that everyone must visit. Just like Doña Manolita, in Gran Vía, the most traditional lottery shop in the city, founded in 1931 by the most famous lottery seller in Madrid, who had owned another shop in Calle de San Bernardo. You should have bought a ticket for this year’s Christmas lottery, on December 22nd, as this year, one of its numbers gave a large amount of money once again.

Plaza de Oriente

Taking into account its location in Madrid’s map, Plaza de Oriente (Eastern Square) should be called Western Square. But it got its name during the period when ths area was completed, although the works started during the reign of José Bonaparte.

The Royal Palace and the Royal Theatre dominate the square, which is separated from the latter by the equestrian statue of Phillip IV. Giuseppe Verdi lived in the no. 6 while he directed himself his opera La Forza del Destino.

Disney Live! Mickey’s Favourite Stories

Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy embark on a great adventure when they find a magical book in the loft. As they turn the pages, they will discover Snow White, Cinderella… With real Disney’s songs and characters. From December 18th to January 3rd in the Palacio Municipal de Congresos.

Tiffany & Co.

A symbol of luxury and sophistication opened a shop last year in Madrid. Their eternal diamonds are famous in the whole world, and the same applies to their huge watch selection and their endless gift articles. To remember Audrey Hepburn.

Plaza del Ángel

A painting of the Guardian Angel that decorated the façade of San Felipe Neri Convent, demolished in the early 19th century, gives its name to this square in the Literary Quarter, next to Plaza de Santa Ana and Calle Huertas. Always full of life, it houses the Café Central, one of the greatest jazz temples in Madrid.

For All Tastes

There’s only one Christmas, but many ways to enjoy it. Madrid offer a thousand and one choices to make the most of these special celebrations.

For gourmets

This is the time for those with a sweet tooth. Next to the traditional patisseries that sell the typical Christmas products, we can find some other more sophisticated and modern places. The best example is the unique temple run by Oriol Balaguer, which received in 2008 the award to the best gastronomic shop in Madrid. His shop is specialized in chocolate, glazing, marshmallows… And, as a surprise, an updated Christmas tradition, such as the fruit panettone, the soft turrón chocotube, the cream of turrón with lime mousse and the Roscón de Reyes.

For all the family

Cortylandia has been making Christmas happier for the Madrilenian children for thirty years. The façade of El Corte Inglés in Preciados becomes a stage with figures that sing a tune which has become as famous as any Christmas carol. This year, also Plaza de Felipe II will have its own Cortylandia, with a train and carousels.

The suggestion of Faunia includes enjoying the great New Year’s Eve celebration with the whole family: it’s hosting a gala dinner on December 31st where children will take part on fun games in the Pole ecosystem, surrounded by penguins.

For being supportive

Christmas is a time for presents. Being original and, at the same time, supporting artisans from countries such as India, Ethiopia or Vietnam is not impossible. You just have to go to Intermon Oxfam and choose something from their extensive catalogue. Maybe a Peruvian Nativity Scene? There are also ecologic turrón, Christmas gift baskets, and many suggestions to help the Three Wise Men choose the best presents: silk scarves, candles, wooden jewellery boxes…

In SETEM, you can buy Christmas cards handmade in Nepal, Nigeria, Thailand and Bangladesh.

For couples

There’s nothing more romantic than celebrating New Year’s Eve in a historical hotel. The Westin Palace Madrid sends off 2009 -International Astronomy Year- with a menu by Mario Sandoval that will take us on a tour to the galaxy. Lucky grapes filled with pistacchio cream, grilled foie suns, sea constellations, silver moon mousse… are some of the dishes that you can taste under the crystal dome.

The restaurant Pedro Larumbe will also favour romanticism and seduction with a dinner where every dish will be prepared with different kinds of champagne.

For classics

Lovers of traditions can look through the programme and search some of the cultural events related to Christmas. The performance of The Nutcracker is made this year by the Moscow Classical Ballet, which will be in the Teatro Compac Gran Vía from December 22nd to January 4th.

The National Auditorium will be another reference point for music lovers. There is where the Orchestra and Choir of the Region of Madrid will perform Händel’s Messiah on December 21st. The same stage will host the Christmas Concert (December 18th), by the Orchestra of the Vicenza Olympic Theatre, and the Grand New Year’s Concert (December 22nd, 23rd, 26th, 29th and 30th) by the Strauss Festival Orchestra.

Nómada Super Market

A place full of charm spread through 1000 m2 in two floors, where over 150 young fashion and accessory designers, illustrators and plastic artists are selling original and exclusive items. From December 16th to 20th, in Escaparate Atocha 24. Free entrance.

Joaquín Sabina

It has taken the Andalusian singer-songwriter four years to release a new album again. With Vinagre y Rosas he’s coming back with more rock and happiness than ever. Tonight at 9.30 pm, in the Palacio de los Deportes.

A Perfect Christmas

Nothing must be left to chance. Everything must be ready to ensure that every Christmas celebration will be a success. In Madrid you can find those unmissable places to buy the most essential items and products.

Decorations

Coloured lights, balls of all sizes to decorate the Christmas tree, large strands of tinsel, and, maybe, a garland to hang on the door. If you are expecting the visit from Papá Noel, you should leave colourful stocking in certain places so that he leaves you the presents inside them. The decorations sold in Musgo are classics. The ones in Aldaba, designer’s. Let’s celebrate Christmas in style.

Turrón

 

Marzipan figures, crystallized fruits, polvorones, mantecados… But, above all, turrón, the Christmas sweet par excellence, which is sold throughout the year in Casa Mira. The turrón here is said to be the best in Madrid, hundred per cent handmade and suiting all tastes: hard, soft, made from yolk… A traditional shop since 1842.

Nativity Scenes

Setting up the Nativity Scene is  one of the most popular Christmas traditions, born in 1223, when Saint Francis of Assis installed a live Nativity Scene inside a cave on Christmas’ Eve. In Madrid, you can buy it complete or figure by figure (the Three Wise Men, shepherds, sheep…) in the stalls set, for the whole month, in Plaza Mayor. You can also find moss to make your Nativity Scene even more realistic!

Cava and Champagne

The Christmas’ Eve dinner always ends up the same way that New Year starts: by toasting with a glass of cava. Just after eating the Twelve Lucky Grapes, it’s time for greetings and best wishes. In order to have your wine cellar always full, two suggestions: Reserva y Cata and Isolée, where, apart from buying a bottle, you can taste champagne in their Moët Chandon Bubble Lounge.

Candles

They enhace a good atmosphere and we turn to them everytime we need to feel a little bit of peace. Or when we organise a romantic dinner. In Christmas, candles give an intimate and unique touch: there are people who likes welcoming the New Year only with the light of flickering flames. To decorate our homes or as a symbol of light nowadays, they have become an essential item. If you one to choose one, or several, you just have to go to Velas y Decoración.

Gift Boxes

There are red ones, blue ones, green ones. Big and small, where you can fit almost everything or almost nothing, just the basics. These festivities aren’t the same without presents, which, either in Christmas or in the Three Wise Men Day, make our lives happier. The wrapping is also important. In the Fábrica de Cajas de Cartón, you can easily find the box that you need for each person. The aim? Always surprising.

Grapes

They are 12 and you eat them one by one, in Madrid, with each of the chimes of the clock at Puerta del Sol. They are absolutely unmissable in New Year’s Eve: the tradition of eating them before entering the New Year in Spain is turning a century old this year. Although in 1909 they were used to cut down on that year’s large production surplus, today they are the symbol of good luck. in Frutas Vázquez, bunches of grapes decorate the shop windows in Christmas.

Roller skating in Retiro Park

Retiro Park is one of the best places in Madrid (or should I say in the world?) for practising most outdoors activities you can imagine. And taking into account that the city is very hilly and one of the few large, more or less flat areas is Retiro Park, that makes it undoubtedly the best place for roller-skating.

Source: madridpatina.com

It is so popular that the traditional Paseo de Coches (Cars Walk), the long wide asphalted avenue where the Book Fair takes places every year, is usually called “the skaters walk”. If you cannot roller-skate yet, don’t worry, you can even take lessons in several clubs that meet every weekend in Retiro! One of those is Madridpatina, which promotes roller skating as a hobby for people of all ages in the whole region of Madrid.