Christmas is already around the corner, filling our agenda with magical, wintery and very familiar plans. Less than an hour's drive from Madrid hides the best of them, a market full of lights, attractions, gifts and food that competes with those in Paris, Germany or Prague.
The beautiful and historic town of Alcalá de Henares becomes a winter wonderland for six weeks, from November 28 to January 6. The magic happens in the Plaza de Cervantes, as tradition dictates. There, the city council sets up a Christmas village brimming with lights, gift and food stalls, snowmen, a merry-go-round and even a giant Ferris wheel.
Between Christmas carols and musical performances, neighbors and visitors will enjoy some very Christmassy plans, shopping for crafts and even a huge ice rink for skating, which has nothing to envy of the Rockerfeller Center in New York. They will also be able to get on board the little train, enjoy the official chocolate on November 29 and the pre-grapes on December 30.
In addition to all the festive atmosphere that is felt in the main square of Alcalá de Henares, there is a tourist train that takes you to the Monumental Bethlehem. This Nativity scene is a Christmas tradition of this town, an impressive staging of 250 square meters that is a work of art.
This great Christmas plan will be available for six weeks, culminating with festivals on New Year's Eve to celebrate the arrival of 2026 and with its own Three Kings Parade on January 5. This is the definitive market on par with the iconic ones in Europe and we have it right next to the capital.
