Christmas time is near and we all want to enjoy it to the full after having had to live through all the limitations we had last year because of the pandemic. One year ago, we wrote an article in this blog about how we are going to spend a different kind of Christmas. Last year, we were A Christmas time which is more Christmas than beforeimmersed in the middle of the coronavirus maelstrom and the celebrations were limited to a maximum number of ten people. In addition, a curfew was in force which limited the time to return home (even on Christmas Eve and on New Year´s Eve which were, therefore, not celebrated). Hence, we had no choice but to adapt to these circumstances and enjoy the Christmas festivities in a very different way from how they were before.

Even though we are still fighting against this virus, we can say that a year later everything has improved significantly. Vaccination coverage continues to advance and in Spain contagion and deaths have been very much reduced. Nevertheless, we must still be cautious because the new Omicron virus variant is extremely contagious and thus we must take precautions when we socialize. However, no restrictions are expected to take place this Christmas. Nonetheless, it is almost certain that in great settings (such as for instance in Puerta del Sol on New Year´s Eve), the number of people will be limited. Initially, everything seems to indicate that we will be able to celebrate this Christmas as we normally used to do it. Therefore, we can say that this Christmas time will be more Christmas-y than last year.

MADRID IS ALREADY FULL OF LIGHTS

This last 26 November the Christmas lights in Madrid were lit, making the city look different. When the light of day starts to fade, the streets and the buildings of Madrid are illuminated creating an almost magical atmosphere. It is important to point out that the Christmas lighting is made with energy-efficient LED lamps in order to avoid energy wastefulness.

Taking a stroll in the city at night is a great spectacle of colour, and especially this year as new Christmas lighting designs have been launched in 25 streets (Gran Vía, Preciados or Jorge Juan among others).

An immense and illuminated Christmas ball dazzles passers-by when approaching Edificio Metrópolis (this ball is twelve metres wide and has 43.000 LED lights giving the area an explosion of light and colour). In Paseo del Prado, between the fountains of Cibeles and Neptune we must highlight an illuminated menina which is no less than ten metres high. In Preciados, passers-by are surprised when they see an enormous red heart. The Real Jardín Botánico offers a unique maritime adventure with the lighting spectacle Explorium. In Galería Canalejas, a benchmark in luxury in the centre of Madrid, a panther surrounded by Christmas motifs stands out. Finally, this year and for the first time Parque del Retiro will be illuminated with eleven million LED and thus putting a coloured note in the most important park in Madrid.

PLAZA DE ESPAÑA, CHRISTMAS GROUND ZERO

Undoubtedly, Plaza de España will be the most outstanding place in Madrid during this Christmas. The Madrid City Council has not only remodeled this square but it has also created a show of Christmas lights that illuminate the figures of a Nativity Scene. In addition, an eighteen metre-high fir tree has been added.

What is more, a large ice rink where the Madrileños can skate has been installed, as happens in other great cities in the world where it is a tradition to set up ice rinks at Christmas time. We can say that Plaza de España is the Christmas Ground Zero of Madrid because apart from all the attractions it offers, it was here in this square that the official lighting of the Madrid Christmas lights were turned on and started.