The cold never stops us from enjoying the streets of Madrid, which always hold something that reminds us of our childhood and the eager anticipation of the arrival of the Three Kings or Father Christmas. If you’re travelling to Madrid this Christmas, what on earth must you not miss under any circumstances!?

• The Christmas bus, known as Naviluz, is back: a comfortable ride where you can enjoy not only Madrid’s skyline (which is unique) but also the illuminated avenues. This bus is a double-decker with panoramic windows and runs from 1 December to 6 January. To buy a ticket , you’ll need to do so via the EMT website.
• Christmas at Conde Duque: this cultural centre promises an unbeatable Christmas programme, with over 30 activities featuring music, theatre, dance, circus and magic, all specifically geared towards families with children.
• Parade of Lights in Madrid Río: taking place on 21 December between the Segovia Bridge and the Rey Bridge. Fireworks and a sea of lights to celebrate the winter solstice.
• Ice skating: it may not be quite as glamorous as the ice rink at New York’s Rockefeller Centre, but it’s certainly just as good. The Galería de Cristal at the Palacio de Cibeles is transformed into a winter wonderland featuring an ice rink, a Christmas tree and numerous igloos. This indoor ice rink is open to the public from 21 December to 5 January, generally from 11.00 to 21.00, although opening hours may vary depending on the date. Other places where you can also enjoy an ice rink include Plaza de la Luna, behind Plaza de Callao; Parque de Berlín; Parque de la Vaguada; Plaza de Puerto Rubio; Puente de Vallecas; and Villa de Vallecas. In Vicálvaro there is also an ice rink and a Christmas market from 11 December to 7 January, open from 10 am to 10 pm.
• Music on the balconies of Plaza Mayor: you can catch performances on 28 and 29 December, and on 4 January. As well as this venue, you can also enjoy music at other locations across the capital. Click here to view the full music programme.
• Nativity scenes in Madrid: another traditional activity is visiting the nativity scene exhibitions. Until 7 January, in the courtyard of the Palacio de Cibeles, you can see the traditional municipal nativity scene set up by the Madrid Nativity Scene Makers’ Association in the city centre. The Community of Madrid will set up what is known as the ‘Belén de Sol’ at its headquarters in the former Casa de Correos on Puerta del Sol, which in recent years has been the most visited by Madrileños. Also worth noting is the International Nativity Scene Exhibition taking place at El Matadero (Paseo de la Chopera 10), from 5 December to 5 January, featuring over 2,500 figures from more than a hundred countries. Here you can check the programme of nativity scenes for Christmas 2017 and a route for viewing nativity scenes in Madrid.
• Christmas markets: it’s almost a ritual for every Madrilenian to visit a Christmas market. You can visit one in the main squares in the centre of Madrid, notably the traditional market in the Plaza Mayor. Also worth noting is the 2017 Craft Fair in Plaza de España, which this year runs from 9 December to 5 January, open from 11 am to 9 pm, and features 170 craft workshops.

You’ll have no shortage of reasons to visit Madrid at Christmas. And what do you like most about Christmas in Madrid?