Madrid’s 2026–2027 Christmas lighting is scheduled to begin on Saturday 21 November 2026, with an inaugural event at Plaza de Cibeles. The programme is expected to run until 6 January 2027, Día de Reyes.
Expected to be one of the best Christmas lights in Spain, it will include more than 14 million LED bulbs across more than 250 locations in all 21 districts.
Madrid Christmas lights 2026: switch-on date and hours
The official switch-on in Madrid is planned for Saturday 21 November, accompanied by an inaugural Christmas show in Plaza de Cibeles.
The provisional lighting timetable is:
- Sunday to Thursday: 18:00 to 00:00
- Friday and Saturday: 18:00 to 01:00
- 7 December: 18:00 to 01:00
- 24 December and 5 January: 18:00 to 03:00
- 31 December: 18:00 to 06:00
These times have not yet been confirmed as final.
Plaza de Cibeles and Madrid’s new Christmas tree
Plaza de Cibeles will be the setting for the opening event and is due to receive a large Christmas tree for the first time. The display will also include special lighting on the City Hall building.
More than 250 Christmas light locations in Madrid
The 2026–2027 Christmas lights will reach more than 250 locations across Madrid. The display will use more than 14 million LED bulbs, with the City Council stating that the designs prioritise energy savings and a reduction in light pollution.
The planned lighting includes:
- 131 illuminated cherry trees
- 7,458 light chains
- 14 large illuminated fir trees
- 164 kilometres of light chains in total
Children’s designs and Spanish fashion creators
For the third consecutive year, the city’s Christmas lighting will include designs created by children in the first and second years of primary school. The selected ideas come from a school drawing competition organised by Madrid City Council. The programme will also include designs by professionals connected to the Asociación Creadores de Moda de España (ACME).
Christmas tickets and special experiences in Madrid 2026
Madrid is a great place to celebrate Christmas in Spain this year, with heaps of festive things to keep you entertained. And if you like it so much, stick around for New Year's Eve in the capital city and join in Spain's unique grape tradition.
Naviluz Christmas light bus
Naviluz is the city’s official Christmas bus, a double‑decker loop through the brightest corridors. It’s a single‑ride experience with pre‑assigned departure times, not a hop‑on hop‑off service.
Cortylandia family show
Cortylandia is Madrid nostalgia in motion: a musical light‑and‑animatronics show on the façade of El Corte Inglés, looping several times a day from late November until early January.
Plaza Mayor Christmas Market
Opening on 27th November, the traditional market in Plaza Mayor is the beating heart of Madrid’s festive shopping and one of the best Christmas markets in Spain.
Ice rinks and nativity scenes (belenes)
The 400 m² ice rink returns to the Glass Gallery at Cibeles Palace from mid‑December to early January. You may also find ice rinks at the Matadero, Plaza de España, and Colón.
For belenes, watch for the civic nativity at CentroCentro, displays at the Real Casa de Correos, Catedral de la Almudena and Iglesia de San Ginés.
Day trip: Mágicas Navidades in Torrejón de Ardoz
If you want the full theme‑park version of Christmas lights, hop out to Torrejón de Ardoz for Mágicas Navidades. It’s a ticketed complex of illuminated avenues, shows and fairground rides that sits beyond central Madrid.
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