• Seven panettones that you shouldn't miss this Christmas
  • Route to eat Oviedo, recently named gastronomic capital 2024

Christmas

Alcalá de Henares once again decorates one of its historic enclaves for Christmas and hosts its Christmas market. From the 1st of December, the Plaza de Cervantes, presided over by a large Christmas tree, becomes an open-air bazaar full of handicrafts, food stalls, attractions for the little ones and a lot of cultural proposals for all audiences. The venue will also be home to a large ice skating rink and the giant Ferris wheel.

You can now visit the municipal nativity scene installed in the Courtyard of Operations of the Palacio de Cibeles (Plaza de Cibeles, 1), a tradition that this year commemorates the eighth centenary. The nativity scene is made up of more than 200 unique figures in Hebrew style and about twenty buildings that stand out for their realism and attention to detail, the original work of the artist José Luis Mayo. Once again, the landscape and scenographic composition has been designed and elaborated by the Association of Nativity Scenes of Madrid. Free access.

With the switching on of the Christmas lights in Madrid, the Javier Fernández by Disney+ Ice Rink (the Olympic ice skating champion) also arrives at the Plaza de Colón. Until 8 January, in addition to the 800 m2 of ice, there will be a merry-go-round, a market with 30 stalls, a giant screen and DJ sessions.

Musical Party

The legendary Dj Nano, a benchmark of electronic music in Spain for the last 25 years, returns to welcome Christmas with the great dance music party. Their Oro Viejo, a classic of these dates, will once again fill Hall 8 of Ifema on Saturday, December 2. This time, the Madrid-born artist will fuse two of his most famous shows, The Big Show and Un cuento de Navidad to take the audience back to Christmas '94, a very special moment for electronic music. There will be no shortage of guest DJs. From 30 euros. More information here.

MONOLOGUES

On December 3rd, and once again on the stage of the legendary Galileo Galilei hall, the comedian Sheila González will perform with her Wine Up Comedy, a humorous monologue about the world of wine. Is it stand-up? Yes. Is it a tasting? Also. The comedian herself thinks that the two best things in life are laughing and drinking wine, which is why she wrote this play combining her two passions. The performance includes three glasses of wine from Bodegas Noc plus ham from Julian Mairal. From 13:00 p.m.

GASTRO

Strawberry, the sweet sin that sweeps London and New York, has arrived in the capital. Specifically, to the Mercado de Antón Martín, in Calle de Santa Isabel, 5. In their place, which has just opened, they serve seasonal national strawberries dipped in chocolate or with any toppinng you can think of: Caramel Lotus biscuit, pieces of oreo, pistachio, Peta Zetas... A new must-have for those with a sweet tooth.

CYCLE

Return to the Fernán Gómez Centro Cultural de la Villa (Pl. de Colón, 4). Grandes del Gospel, a contest that celebrates its XXIX edition with the best of American gospel. From November 29 to December 10, you will be able to see and listen to several of the best international groups of the genre, such as Harlem Gospel Choir, The New Orleans Gospel Stars or Chicago Mass Choir. Program in teatrofernangomez.com. From 10 euros.

EXPOSITION

Since 29 November, the Madrid artist Marta Lorca has been presenting Terracosta at the Cruz Bajo gallery (Don Ramón de la Cruz, 15), a collection of ceramic sculptures that invite us to reflect on the connection between human beings and their environment. Inspired by the marine universe, the pieces, full of color, are distinguished by their organic and unstructured approach. Each of the 30 sculptures in the exhibition represents an ode to the beauty and complexity of aquatic life. It can be viewed until January 13.

EVENT

From 1 to 3 December, the third edition of Pastoreo (Sandoval, 3) will take place, an original leisure proposal that brings lamb, suckling pig and kid meat to the public. The free and ephemeral event unfolds a proposal of activities with photography exhibitions, tasting of lamb tapas created by Begoña Rodrigo, chef of La Salita (1 Michelin star), live music and wool spinning, tastings and various workshops to create wreaths, balls and Christmas cookies. Admission and tapas tastings are free of charge, and for the workshops it will be necessary to book in advance at www.mascercaesmejor.es/pastoreo, for a price of 10 euros, which will go to the soup kitchen of the Manos de Ayuda Social Association that supports families through its Salir Adelante project.

FLEA MARKET

Like every Christmas, one of the most famous ephemeral boutiques in the capital returns. The Gato market will take place in two spaces and on two dates: at The Westin Palace (Pl. de las Cortes, 7), from 1 to 10 December, and at Gran Vía 13, from 15 December to 5 January, and you can find all kinds of unique, handmade and exclusive fashion gifts. accessories, jewellery, costume jewellery, cosmetics...

GASTRO

Every Friday, the Café de la Ópera (Arrieta, 6) offers its best remedy against the cold: the cocido madrileño in three turns, simmered for 48 hours. The gastronomic proposal includes stew croquette, chillies with spring onion and noodle soup, as well as Castilian chickpeas, vegetables and a careful selection of meats. For dessert, fried milk. Price: 29 euros.

Exposition

Teatro del Barrio organizes Carnicería social, an exhibition with more than 150 of the posters of the works and activities that the institution has carried out in the last decade. The exhibition can be visited until December 1 at the Mercado de San Fernando (Embajadores, 41), and from the 2nd, at Teatro del Barrio (Zurita, 20) indefinitely. The artist Jacobo Gavira is the creator of all of them, as he is responsible for the graphic image of the theatre: a constructivist, direct and ironic image. Free access.

  • Christmas