12 free plans to 'burn' Madrid for Christmas

Madrid is boiling.

The cultural panorama of the capital is overwhelming.

Musicals, exhibitions, openings, fairs ... the options to spend your free time seem endless and, on many occasions, are even difficult to choose.

We propose 12 plans for the next few weeks that no one will be able to resist, because, in addition to being interesting, they are

.

1. Exhibition on Heavy Metal

CentroCentro hosts

an exhibition that pays tribute to the Madrid heavy of the 80s based on the memories of its protagonists, the young people of that time.

The sample includes a series of works by 16 current authors who have been able to illustrate, based on archives and references, what it was like to be a

.

None of the artists knew the movement first-hand, either because they were not part of it, because they did not live in Madrid or because they were not even born in the 80s. The exhibition will also have a program of activities, which includes the screening of the documentary

(2021) and the hard rock concert of Curly Mane and Kramp.

Data of interest:

Where

: Floor 4 of CentroCentro (Plaza Cibeles, 1A).

When

: Until April 3, 2022.

More information here.

2. Book fair

Lovers of reading and bibliographic jewels have an appointment at the

, which will take place in the Crystal Gallery of the Palacio de Cibeles.

Organized by the Iberian Association of Antiquarian Libraries (AILA), in collaboration with the Guild of Madrid of Libreros de Viejo, the event will feature the presence of 27 Spanish and foreign antiquarian bookstores from countries such as Austria, Germany, France, Holland and Portugal, which They will put on sale authentic bibliophile jewels, old books, medieval documents, manuscripts, engravings, maps and books of hours from the 15th to the 20th century.

The fair includes an

, which runs through the most important examples of the satirical press of that troubled Spanish century.

Data of interest:

Where

: Crystal Gallery of the Palacio de Cibeles (Plaza de Cibeles).

When

: from November 25 to 28.

3. Short film cycle

The producer María del Puy Alvarado.

The Community of Madrid celebrates the

, a contest that will take place in various spaces in the region and whose objective is to bring this genre closer to non-specialized audiences

About 30 short films produced in the Community of Madrid will compete in the Official Section (free, but you have to reserve tickets on the web). The event includes the section

with a selection of the most awarded in the most important festivals and competitions in the world, such as the Berlinale, Venice, Cannes, IDFA, Palm Springs, Annecy, Clermont Ferrand or the Oscar, among others (entry: 3 euros). In this edition, tribute will be paid to

(

), founder of the Malvalanda production company, which celebrates its 15 years of experience.

On Friday, November 26, at 7 p.m.

at the Film Academy, a selection of some of the most significant short films from Madrid will be screened.

Data of interest:

Where

: various spaces in the Community of Madrid.

When

: from November 26 to December 4.

More information and program here.

4. Christmas lights

Everything is ready for the expected lighting of the Christmas lights in the capital, which will illuminate 25 streets (Gran Vía, Montera, Preciados, Jorge Juan, Serrano, Princesa ...) with their original designs.

One of the great novelties is the installation of

(more than a ton in weight, with more than 800 balls, luminous cords and 27,000 points of light with LED technology) between Plaza España and Gran Vía, which will

in spectacularity with the

, seven tons of weight and 43,000 led lights located at the crossroads between Calle Alcalá and Calle Gran Vía, in front of the Metropolis Building.

Data of interest:

Where

: Madrid capital.

When

: as of November 26.

5. Visit to the Royal Palace

It is one of the major tourist attractions in Madrid that can be visited for free the last two hours of each day.

Once inside,

following a marked path that passes through the main rooms, such as the Throne, the Royal Armory, the Royal Chapel or the Hall of Columns.

It can also be used to stroll through the gardens.

The exception is the Real Cocina, which cannot be accessed for free.

Data of interest:

Where

: Bailén, s / n.

When

: permanent from Monday to Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

(last access at 5 pm).

6. Market in the Plaza Mayor

Like every year (with the permission of the pandemic), the emblematic Plaza Mayor in Madrid becomes a large market full of colorful booths with all kinds of Christmas products, from figures of Bethlehem to musical instruments, toys and joke items, in addition stalls with popular cuisine, such as chocolate with churros and fritters.

Data of interest:

Where

: Plaza Mayor

When

: as of November 26.

7. Exhibition on Tintin

Miradas Tintinófilas

is the name of the exhibition-tribute to

through the eyes of prominent

. The collection of Pedro Rey, a tintinologist and one of the most important private collectors in the world, serves to make this journey and understand Hergé's work. In the sample you can see the first editions of the albums in Spanish with texts by Siniestro Total singer Julián Hernández, know how Hergé was explained by the illustrator Paco Roca, meet with the comic historian Enric Melego surprising curiosities from the world of Tintin, discover some of the longest journeys made by the reporter through the interactive world map with texts by Eduardo Martínez de Pisón or read in all languages

thanks to the Pedro Rey Collection, among other curiosities.

Data of interest:

Where

: Alcobendas Art Center (Mariano Sebastián Izuel, 9, Alcobendas).

When

: until January 22, 2022.

8. Tour through the Capricho park

The Civitatis leisure agency offers a free guided tour of one of the least known and most charming parks in the capital.

For two hours, those interested will visit the most beautiful corners of

, the only romantic garden in Madrid, built by order of the Duchess of Osuna between 1787 and 1839. Among the spaces you can see French, English and French-style gardens. Italian, as well as the Dancing Casino, the Temple of Bacchus, the Labyrinth or the Casa de la Vieja.

Data of interest:

Where

: Parque del Capricho (P.º de la Alameda de Osuna, 25).

When

: Saturdays and Sundays, at 10 a.m., 12.30 p.m. and 4 p.m.

More information and reservations here.

9. Tour of the museums

Touring

of the most important art galleries in Madrid

as many times as you like

for free is possible if you go during the restricted hours for it.

Thus, in the

, visitors will be able to enter freely from Monday to Saturday between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and on Sundays and holidays from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Those under 18 and students up to 25 years old can also enter for free.

For its part,

will be accessible free

of charge on Mondays from 12 a.m. to 4 p.m., while

will be from Monday to Saturday from 7 p.m.

and on Sundays, from 1:30 p.m.

Data of interest:

Where

: Museo del Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofía.

When

: permanent.

10. Visit to the Temple of Debod

Although the main attraction for locals and tourists of this Egyptian temple

is its exterior and the views obtained from its gardens, it is interesting to enter it to see the Egyptian figures it houses, as well as the model and other curious explanations of this monument that was rebuilt stone by stone in 1972 after being donated to Spain by the Egyptian government to prevent it from being flooded after the construction of the great Aswan dam.

Data of interest:

Where

: Ferraz, 1.

When

: permanent.

11. Cat Market

After months of inactivity, the Cat Market returns, which, from December

This great ephemeral boutique is the ideal place to buy Christmas gifts among the more than 80 brands with the latest trends in women's and men's fashion, accessories, jewelry, costume jewelery, crafts, cosmetics, children's fashion, home fashion and art. who participate in this eclectic spirit market.

Data of interest:

Where

: The Westin Palace (Plaza de las Cortes, 7).

When

: from December 3 to 12, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

12. Guided walk through the center

Civitatis organizes

through

by

specialized guides who tell the most interesting stories and legends of the capital.

During the route of about two hours, you will visit some of the most famous corners of

addition to the most photographed points, such as the

, the

, the

,

,

, the Opera and the San Miguel Market.

The walk is accompanied by the narration of the incredible legends and stories related to the squares, streets, palaces, convents and other enclaves through which you pass.

Data of interest:

Where

: Civitatis Tours & Tickets on Calle Montera (Montera, 32).

When

: every day.

More information, reservations and schedules here.

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