Studying in Madrid? Well, if for whatever reason you’re not headed home for the holidays, this city has some major treats in store for you. Check out this tasty trio, for starters:
Holiday Lights
They go up November 27, and gleam throughout the city, especially downtown And did you know that some are designed by big names from the world of Spanish fashion and architecture, such as Ángel Schlesser, Hannibal Laguna, Purificación García, and Sergio Sebastián?
Santa Claus Race
At 9 am on December 12, the broad boulevard El Paseo de la Castellana will be jammed with runners. But Santa isn’t just a theme – all the runners are sporting Santa outfits! Whether you join in or just watch, it’s a lot of fun – not to mention for a good cause, as donations collected by runners go to Madrid’s Muscular Distrophy Foundation. (And by the way, these runners are always trying to break the Guinness World Record for simultaneously running Santas).
New Year’s Eve a Madrid Classic
Probably the highlight of the holidays in Madrid is December 31, which starts with another road race, the 10K San Silvestre Vallecana. But the main event of course comes together late at night in Spain’s “kilometre zero”, the Puerta del Sol. As the clock of the Royal Post Office chimes everyone scarfs down twelve grapes – a tradition dating back to the 19th century. Now that you’ve started the year off right, the night is still young, and the nearby streets, pubs, and discos await! 😉
And if you have time and want more nightlife, remember we told you about Argüelles neighborhood? 🙂
Photo | MrT HK
