The star of Christmas visits Madrid

Beneath the radiant light of the star of Bethlehem, the symbol of all that Christmas represents, our capital city is once again preparing to celebrate this magical and iconic festival in Madrid.

Indeed, these are days to be spent with our families, days of joyous celebration and restrained (or unrestrained, it's up to you) rejoicing; days that symbolise the fact that, even on the day with the least sunlight of the year, a new hope for the world and for each one of us can be born where we least expect it.

And, of course, true to its most delightful tradition, the City Council has once again put its heart and soul into decorating the city as the occasion deserves, as well as, of course, making sure that the festivities are enhanced by a full programme of activities in which we have tried to raise the bar on last year's huge success.

I can think of no better place to start my personal review of the highlights of the City Council's Christmas programme than at its headquarters: the Council's nativity scene at the Cibeles Palace will occupy the Operations Hall at CentroCentro, just as it did in 2022. I would also like to draw your attention to the light show that Patrice Warrener will be creating on the façade of Saint Jerome the Royal from 21 December. Equally important: Matadero Madrid will be the setting for Madrid, a Christmas Encounter (Navidad de Encuentro) and this year’s guest country is the United States. Finally, I’d like to highlight one of the events in the Council’s musical programme: from 21 December to 4 January, The Districts Sing (Los Distritos cantan) will present a series of concerts by choirs from several of our city’s districts.

But, without a doubt, the most unforgettable moment will once again be the Three Kings’ Parade, when Madrid pulls out all the stops to celebrate its very own unique Christmas. This year marks 70 years since the Parade first received the wholehearted support of the Madrid City Council. In 1953 it received the princely sum of 50,000 pesetas and, although we now count our money in euros and not in pesetas, there is one thing that has not changed: the Council's undertaking to delight and amaze the youngest inhabitants of Madrid with the spectacular and triumphant arrival of Their Majesties from the East; Melchior, Gaspar and Balthasar. That’s something that hasn’t changed in 70 years and will never change.

Merry Christmas, Madrid.