Madrid shines at Christmas: the capital city sparkles with Christmas lights that fill the city with colour at nightfall. Last 22nd November, the Madrid Christmas period was officially inaugurated and the lights were lit. This moment, which is a tradition, is magical as it symbolizes the beginning of Christmas in the city, filled with joy and colour under the Christmas lighting. Madrid seems different when, simultaneously, all the lights are lit to change the aspect of each street. The Christmas lights will remain until the 6th January. According to the Madrid authorities, the expenditure in 2019 will be nearly 28% more than last year. This is because this year´s lighting is intended to be an amazing spectacle which will attract more visitors to admire the city adorned with Christmas lights. In this respect, Madrid has betted on allocating more resources for Christmas lighting in order to increase tourism at Christmas. This year, efforts have been made to light up other areas in Madrid, in addition to the centre. The Madrid authorities are convinced that apart from embellising the city, the Christmas lighting will encourage Madrileños and visitors to go outside. This can, undoubtedly, benefit commerce in general.

THREE LIGHTING SHOWS TO SEE A GREAT CHRISTMAS BALL

This year, Madrid offers the novelty of the installation of an enormous Christmas ball in the very centre of the city. This ball is twelve metres in diameter and it weighs more than seven tons. It is located opposite Edificio Metrópolis, at the crossroads of Gran Vía and Calle Alcalá. This huge ball is lit up during three different times ( at 18:30, 20:00 and at 21:30 ). It is made up of more than 43.000 LED lights that change colour creating different illuminated messages. We now wish to make an observation about the commitment to environmental sustainability which is carried out by many cities. We must point out that LED lights are energy-efficient and are notable for their low use of energy. This makes us think that the commitment to environmental sustainability is already being adopted in many cities. We are pleased with this, as well as with what is happening in the real estate sector, as our recent article, in this blog, shows. But, apart from this enormous Christmas ball, there is much more to see: it is worth reserving an evening to stroll along Madrid and enjoy the new aspect and atmosphere of the streets with Christmas lights brightening up each corner of the city.

NATIVITY SCENES AND BRIGHT CHRISTMAS TREES

In actual fact, the tradition of inaugurating Christmas in Madrid by lighting up the streets, started to be official eight years ago. Since then, the authorities have used this as a starting signal for Christmas in the city. Apart from the lights, this year illuminated Nativity Scenes have been set up in emblematic places, such as in Madrid Río, Glorieta de Cuatro Caminos or Puerta de Alcalá. There are also several illuminated Christmas trees scattered across the city, as in previous years. Are you going to miss Christmas in Madrid? We hope not!

Picture 01: Hernán Piñera