Event Dates
From: Awaiting dates
To: Awaiting dates
As Christmas trees & decorations light up streets & squares, Madrid celebrates everyone’s favourite holiday.
As Christmas trees and decorations light up streets and squares, Madrid celebrates everyone’s favourite holiday with a programme packed with cultural and leisure activities.
- Visiting Madrid for Christmas? Stay close to the Plaza Mayor Market at these top hotels. Consider the Petit Palace Chueca with great breakfast options and large balconies in most rooms.
The December Bank Holiday in Spain
- Christmas kicks off early in Madrid with the December Bank Holiday weekend featuring two national holidays on the 6th (Constitution Day) and the 8th (Feast of the Immaculate Conception). Known as a bridge-holiday, most Spaniards take the between-day off and party all weekend. Popular gay events include the Mad Bear Madrid Weekend.
Plaza Mayor Christmas Market
- Awaiting dates – Each year as Christmas rolls around, Madrid’s main square turns into a sprawling market featuring 104 stalls filled with nativity scene figures, musical instruments, toys and joke items.
- Organised by the Plaza Mayor Christmas Market Association, this hundred-year-old fair is one of the city’s most beloved traditions.
- The 104 stalls run by individual vendors sell Christmas favourites: figurines to make your own nativity scenes, Christmas decorations and gag gifts.
- The Plaza Mayor Christmas Market opens from 10 am to 9 pm (on Fridays, Saturdays, and holiday Eve it is open till 10 pm.)
- Enjoy the Suite life at Madrid 1915 Private Suites, for an “Exceptional” stay featuring spacious apartments, perfect for a festive escape, just steps from the markets.
Plaza de Santa Cruz Christmas Market
- Awaiting dates – If Plaza Mayor is very crowded, make your way to Plaza de Santa Cruz or Plaza del Carmen, located nearby. Take a ride on the vintage carousel that runs until the beginning of January.
- Make sure you purchase your own Belén. It’s a lovely souvenir that will always remind you of your special Christmas in Madrid.
- The nativity scene or Belén (Spanish for Bethlehem) has special significance in Spain. Each family has their own unique one. The size and complexity varies from a mere three figures to a whole town with rivers, lights and hundreds of figures.
Gigantic Light Ball
- Awaiting dates – The Gigantic Light Ball at the iconic Metropolis Building sees the return of one of the big hits from last Christmas: a spectacular 3D light ball with a diameter of 12 metres, weighing seven tonnes and fitted with 43,000 led lights at the intersection of Calle Alcalá and Gran Vía, just in front of the Metrópolis Building.
- The lights on the sphere enable light and sound to be programmed and synchronised to create a spectacular pixel mapping session reproduced on a loop.
- Stay on Gran Via, one of the city’s most famous streets, close to all the major attractions and just an 8 minute walk to the gay bars and clubs. The Boutique Hotel H10 offers light and airy rooms in a beautiful setting, our top recommended 4 star property in Madrid.
New Year’s Eve at the Puerta del Sol
- On the evening of December 31st, all televisions in Spain light up with the image of the Puerta del Sol. Thousands of people flock to the square to usher in the New Year and eat 12 lucky grapes to the twelve chimes of the Real Casa de Correos clock.
- New features this year include the lighting of the Real Casa de Correos, housing the Madrid City Hall in a light, fireworks and confetti show right after the New Year chimes.
Gay New Year Events
- The We Party’s New Year Festival is one of Europe’s most prominent gay celebrations featuring world-class DJs and excellent stage productions in some of the city’s top clubs. Check out the entire program.
- Stay at the Room Mate Oscar in the centre of the gay district. This hotel is hot and happening during the big gay events, including the NYE festival.
Other popular weekly parties will hold NYE events over the festive season, including:
- MARTA CARIÑO – Two floors, multiple spaces. Coffee, drinks, food, an extensive cocktail menu with DJs, live music and a lot of fun. C/Silva, 4
- LA BOITE – On Sundays: “El Club de las Domingas” club awaits, ready to make you dance to the best commercial pop music and entertain you with original and unusual shows. C/Tetuán, 27
- DLRO LIVE – Night club offering different shows every day of the week. Playing pop and commercial music so you can’t stop dancing. C/Pelayo, 59
- VUELVETE LOCA – If you love the Drag scene and pop music, you should visit this venue where you’ll be able to dance all night long. C/Hortaleza, 43
- LL BAR – Part of the scene for more than 25 years, this bar offers daily Drag shows which will not leave you unimpressed. C/Pelayo, 11
- KLUSTER – Every Saturday: for lovers of house music and techno. You’ll find an impressive stage in an old theatre, huge LED and the most avant-garde laser show. C/Covarrubias, 42
- BEARBIE – Every Friday and Saturday, pop and disco music at Chueca’s bear friendly club. Plaza Pedro Zerolo, 2
Chueca and other neighbourhoods
- If you don’t want to hit the clubs, head to Chueca, the city’s gay district, where the streets are full of NYE revellers and partygoers. The neighbourhood is one of the most cosmopolitan and vibrant places in Madrid. Plaza de Chueca and Plaza de Pedro Zerolo, renamed in 2015 for the late Spanish activist who fought tirelessly for the LGBTI+ cause, are the heart of the district.
- Calle Fuencarral, Malasaña and Salesas, adjacent neighbourhoods, join forces with Chueca to offer visitors an unmissable experience.
- For example, Calle Fuencarral is well known as one of the most popular shopping areas of the city, Malasaña is the meeting point of the most modern creatives, and Salesas embodies a chic, bohemian spirit and is an elegant district of the capital.
Dining Out
For many in Madrid, NYE is celebrated over a long and luscious dinner. Reservations should be made well in advance. Here are some of our top recommendations in the city for everything from brunch to a light snack, the traditional to something special.
- Brunch, try Zafyro Café Club with an eclectic mix of options, plus lots of eye candy.
- Tapas, visit La Tape – Traditional Spanish – crowded, crazy, great beer.
- Los Chuchis – Amazing mix and even some home food Spanish style – sausages and shepherds pie – fun.
- Roostiq – Right in the heart of Chueca – close to the bars – amazing Spanish bbq.
- Lhardy – It’s a bit fancy but the best transitional Spanish food
- Cada Alberto, Goldilocks would say this is just right – not too fussy but not too tapasy either
- Restaurante Casa Benigna – Amazing Paella with a real quirky vibe.
Enjoy delicious hot chocolate, churros and other treats.
- Head to Chocolateria San Ginés for some delicious hot chocolate con churros, a must when you are in Madrid. Try their Turrón, a homemade Spanish candy bar with honey, egg whites and pine nuts or almonds.
January 5th – Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos
- Spaniards believe that Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar are responsible for bringing Christmas presents, not Santa Claus. The Cabalgata de Los Magos is celebrated each year on the evening of January 5th. A massive parade weaves through Madrid, and during that time, children hurry to catch candy thrown from the floats. The centrepieces of the parade are three elaborately decorated floats carrying the Reyes Magos (Three Wise Men).
- Parade Route (from 6.30 pm to 9pm approximately): Paseo de la Castellana (Nuevos Ministerios corner of Plaza San Juan de la Cruz) – Paseo de la Castellana – Plaza del Doctor Gregorio Marañón – Paseo de la Castellana – Glorieta de Emilio Castelar – Paseo de la Castellana – Plaza de Colón – Paseo de Recoletos – Plaza de Cibeles (End of Parade).
Ice Skating
Madrid has several ice skating rinks built purposely for the Christmas celebrations. All open in the early morning and close typically at 10 pm.
- Galería de Cristal inside CentroCentro – the City Council located in Plaza de Cibeles.
- Pista de hielo Javier Fernández on Plaza de Azca.
- Pista de hielo Villa de Vallecas on Paseo Federico García Lorca (Villa de Vallecas Metro station).
- Pista de hielo Puente de Vallecas on Entrevías-Asamblea de Madrid Renfe station.
- Palacio de Hielo Dreams on Calle Silvano, 77 (Canillas Metro station).
Naviluz, The Christmas Bus
- This year sees the return of Naviluz, the Christmas bus, which takes passengers down some of Madrid’s most emblematic streets to show off the city’s wonderful display of Christmas lights. Starting on 26 November and ending on 6 January 2022, the bus runs numerous times a day.
- The journey lasts approximately 50 minutes and buses run every 10 minutes, from 6pm to 11pm (Sun-Thur) and 6pm to midnight (Fri-Sat and holidays).
- This year’s route is the following: Plaza Colón (next to the Gardens of Discovery) – C/ Serrano – Plaza de la Independencia – Plaza de Cibeles – C/ Alcalá – Gran Vía – C/ de los Reyes – C/ Maestro Guerrero – C/ San Leonardo – Plaza de España – C/ Gran Vía – C/ Alcalá – Plaza de Cibeles – Plaza de la Independencia – C/Alcalá – C/ Velázquez – C/ Ortega y Gasset – C/ Serrano until the corner of C/ Goya.
Recommended Hotels in Madrid
The following hotels are all are close to the city’s top attractions and gay bars
NH Collection, Iberostar, Room Mate Oscar, H10 Villa de la Reina
Where to stay close to all the gay bars
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
Room Mate Oscar in Chueca the gay area,
is our preferred hotel in Madrid!
For further information and advice
Madrid Christmas visit The Website
Most of the gay bars in Madrid are located in Chueca, the city’s gay village and epicentre of all Spanish gay life. Hotels here fill up fast, so book well in advance, especially for key events.
Calle del Marqués de Valdeiglesias 1, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Iconic views of
’s Avenue are offered at the elegant and Atico restaurant/cocktail bar of The . This luxurious boutique hotel offers a gym, and stylish rooms and suites.The Wellness Suite with sauna can be booked entirely and exclusively for couples or individual treatment sessions. Some room and suite types include free access to Wellness Suite services.
Calle Gran Vía, 21, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Ideally located in the heart of Madrid, NH Collection Madrid Gran Vía provides buffet breakfast and free WiFi throughout the property, only 400 m from Puerta del Sol.
The stylish rooms and suites in the hotel are fitted with a coffee machine. Each room is comes with a private bathroom with a bath or shower.
Calle Gran Vía 11, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Set in a restored historic building, this design hotel offers a seasonal rooftop terrace with a stylish
and a seasonal pool with spectacular views over Madrid. Rooms have a flat-screen TV. Free high speed WiFi is available throughout.Iberostar Las Letras Gran Via has a literary theme, and includes a well-stocked library. Rooms have high ceilings, large windows and a seating area. They are individually decorated with quotes by famous writers and poets.
Plaza de Vázquez de Mella 12, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Room
is a stylish Gay hotel located in , between and the Chueca district. It offers free Wi-Fi, rooms with flat-screen TVs and a .Room Mate Oscar features chic décor with bright colours throughout. Each of its air conditioned rooms is spacious and comfortable. All have a minibar and a fully equipped bathroom.
Calle de San Marcos, 31, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Featuring a kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, each unit also comes with a satellite flat-screen TV, ironing facilities, desk and a seating area with a sofa. There is a private bathroom with shower
Calle de Barbieri, 3, 28004 Madrid, Spain
The apartment has 5 bedrooms 4 bathrooms, a living room with an XXL sofa bed, a large TV, a fireplace a minimalist dining room. fully equipped kitchen with all the necessary crockery and utensils.
Calle de San Marcos, 8, 28004 Madrid, Spain
All units here are air-conditioned and feature a flat-screen TV, a living room with a sofa, a well-equipped kitchen with a dining area, and a private bathroom with shower, a hairdryer and free toiletries, & dishwasher
C/ Gran Vía, 16, 28013 Madrid, Spain
The apartment has 7 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine, and 5 bathrooms with a shower. Free WiFi, & air conditioning
C. de Pelayo, 31, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Small but fun gay bar with good music and service
C. de la Reina, 17, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Nice gay bar good music and friendly staff you always feel welcome here
C. del Amparo, 78, Centro, 28012 Madrid
Private club for men only cruising and sex bar
C. de la Reina, 17, Centro, 28004 Madrid
Small but aiways fun fay bar
C. de Pelayo, 82, Centro, 28004 Madrid
Fun gay bar with sey barmen
C. de Trujillos, 7, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Lively dance & cruising gay club with a sprawling dance floor, hosting events & parties.
C. de San Bartolomé, 6, 28004 Madrid, Spain
fun gay bar with great staff, atmosphere, inclusivity, friendliness and attention to individual customers. Music is great and varied too
C. de Pelayo, 30, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Small gay club with Djs and darkroom
C. de Hortaleza, 43, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Fun gay bar with realy good drag shows
C. de Embajadores, 62, Centro, 28005 Madrid
Gay cafe bar serving cocktails and food
C. de las Infantas, 12, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Gay-friendly nightclub featuring cocktails, events & dancing in a playful atmosphere.
C. de Pelayo, 59, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Buzzing gay bar & nightclub featuring drag performances, live music & stand-up comedy.
C. de Valverde, 10, 28004 Madrid, Spain
gay club with two floors with pop and electro music. A lot of people of different ages, everybody is dancing and having fun. Worth visiting
C. de Regueros, 5, 28004 Madrid, Spain
gay bar with super friendly bar staff & a really friendly, party loving crowd. Music you can dance to too It's packed at the weekends with 80s and 90 music.
C. de San Bartolomé, 4, 28004 Madrid, Spain
The Cage is a festish - sex - bar exclusively for men located in the heart of Madrid, in the Chueca neighborhood (the nerve center of gay life in the city of Madrid)
C. de San Bartolomé, 2, 28004 Madrid, Spain
A small gay bar with a mix of popular music. It's a Great place to grab a couple of drinks before going to the neighboring clubs.
C. de Atocha, 49, 28012 Madrid, Spain
The spectacular rooftop terrace at the Axel Hotel Madrid was designed for both daytime and night-time entertainment. Stretch out and sunbathe on the loungers during the day, and take a dip in the pool when the weather's at its hottest even in winter with its heated water. When the night falls, that's when the fun begins! Sky Bar transforms into a trendy meeting point where you can enjoy unrivalled drinks right in the heart of Madrid.
C. de la Libertad, 10, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Spectacular Gay Café Bar with the Best Cocktail Bar in the Center of Madrid with Cocktails inspired by Broadway and Disney Musicals. Brunch on Weekends from 12 noon
C. de Calatrava, 14, 28005 Madrid, Spain
only gay dive bar in the La Latina quarter, lively on Sundays Typical eighties neighborhood gay bar
C. de Calatrava, 15, 28005 Madrid, Spain
Gay bar with a wide selection of the finest bears and otters of Madrid gyrating and grinding shoulders and butts to the beat. Outstanding bar staff!
C. de San Bartolomé, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Great little bar, the guys serving drinks are really friendly nice music and the crowd is mixed, young and mature hotties also lots of bearded guys
C. del Olivar, 22, 28012 Madrid, Spain
The Attack Gay Bar Madrid is a gay Cruising bars the center of Madrid. Gay Underwear, Jockstraps, Nudes and fetish themed parties.
C. de Gravina, 5, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Gay Bar Friendly staff, great decor and atmosphere, and good drinks prices
C. de las Infantas, 26, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Fun and friendly Gay bar in the heart of Chueca. The friendliest staff in a fun atmosphere with great music, clientele and drinks. The must stop before going to the dance clubs. People of all ages and sizes.
C. de Caños Viejos, 2, 28005 Madrid, Spain
Gay fetish bar, nude, underwear or jockstrap. Fetish clothing at the discretion of the management
C. de San Marcos, 16, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Gay bar with DJs really fun bar with cool decor, handsome bears and friendly staff.
C. de Valverde, 3, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Gay Cruising Bar Waiters are hot & beer is cold, Cabins, Glory Holes and darkroom
C. de San Bartolomé, 8, 28004 Madrid, Spain
LGTIQA+ bar. If you're a fan of Drag Race, Eurovision, this is the bar for you Open from Thursday to Sunday
C. de Gravina, 4, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Fun gay bar with good (strong) drinks. Great atmosphere and music
Calle de Gravina 11, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Calle De Pelayo 82, 28004 Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Now in a new locaton offering 2 floors and a dance floor this gay bar just keep getting biger
Calle de Pelayo 4, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Friendly gay bar for bear and friends in Madrid with regular event nights like Nude nights
Calle de San Marcos 29, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Gay Cocktail bar, video sessions, music and underground atmosphere, since 1984.
Calle de las Infantas 9, 28004 Madrid, Spain
A fun gay bears bars with a darkroom well worth a visit
Plaza de Chueca 10, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Trendy gay bars in the heart of the gay part of Madrid
Calle de Pelayo 11, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Gay Cocktail bar with Drag shows
Calle del Clavel 8, 28004 Madrid, Spain
it is a not very big gay bar but, even if it gets crowded, you always have a good time
Calle de Barbieri 7, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Great music and great gay bar for a few drinks and a good vibe
Costanilla de los Capuchinos 1, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Nice and friendly gay bar with good drink prices older clientele
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We have chosen hotels in Madrid that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
A look at the Spanish Capital during Christmas.
Discover the vibrant spirit of Madrid, a city that embraces diversity and offers an inclusive escape for LGBTQ+ travellers, blending rich cultural heritage, lively nightlife, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. While Chueca is the primary gay area, other neighbourhoods in Madrid also offer a range of bars and clubs with different vibes and unique experiences worth exploring.
The bustling area is perfect for those who want to be close to major attractions and gay bars and clubs.
Hip neighbourhood with vintage stores & an artistic flair, trendy bars & cafes surround Plaza del Dos de Mayo