One of the most popular Spanish traditions in the Christmas season is the decoration of homes, churches and public or private organisations with nativity scenes. During the festivities, Madrid is filled with different types of nativity scenes which can be visited by tourists and residents of Madrid free of charge.
A must visit is the popular nativity scene by José Luis Mayo Lebrija at the Cibeles Palace CentroCentro, headquarters of the City Council. It consists of various hand-made pieces which tell the best-known stories about the Mystery, along with some other less well-known ones.
The Royal Palace also showcases its creche, a Neapolitan Nativity Scene which is based on the Little Prince, begun by Charles III for his son, Charles IV. It is made up of more than 200 Neapolitan, Genovese and Spanish figures which date from the 18th to the 21st century.
The Madrid History Museum displays an exquisite 18th century Neapolitan Nativity Scene, which represents one of the most valuable scenes at the Museum. 50 pieces form part of an oriental scene and reflect the courtier spirit of the Baroque culture.
The headquarters of the Community of Madrid, in the heart of the Puerta del Sol, presents its famous Nativity Scene, which pays tribute to King Charles III, whilst the Royal Foundation monasteries (La Encarnación, Las Descalzas Reales and the Royal Convent of Santa Isabel) display their Nativity Scenes during the festive season.
An itinerary designed by the City Council can be followed with over 30 Nativity Scenes on display in various churches around the city, including Almudena Cathedral, as well as at cultural centres and other organisations:
Municipal Itinerary of Nativity Scenes for Christmas 2020-2021:
- Madrid City Council Nativity Scene. Operations Hall. CentroCentro. From 28 November to 5 January. Closed: 1 January
- Plaza de la Villa Municipal Nativity Scene. Plaza de la Villa. From 4 December to 5 January
- Arganzuela Nativity Scene. La Lonja Hall. Casa del Reloj (Clock House). Paseo de la Chopera, 10. Closed: 25 December, 1 and 6 January
- Live Nativity Scene (Carabachel). Puente de Toledo. 23 and 24 December
- Nativity Scene Exhibition (Carabachel). Glorieta Valle de Oro. From 29 November to 6 January
- Corpus Christi Jerónimo Monastery. Carboneras Convent. Plaza Conde de Miranda, 3. From 8 December to 10 January
- Madrid Cathedral Nativity Scene. Bailén, 8-10 (next to the Cathedral’s Main Altar). From 25 December to 10 January. Closed: 25 December and 6 January from 1.30pm to 5.30pm
- San Isidro Museum. The Origins of Madrid Plaza de San Andrés, 2. From 10 December to 17 January. Closed: 24, 25 and 31 December, 1 and 6 January.
- Brotherhood of Silence. Santísimo Cristo de la Fe Church. Atocha, 87. From 30 November to 5 January.
- Las Calatravas Church Nativity Scene. Alcalá, 25 (in the transept of the church)
- Madrid History Museum. Fuencarral, 78 (Museum Chapel). From 5 December to 31 January. Closed: 24, 25 and 31 December, 1 and 6 January.
- Pontificia de San Miguel Basilica. San Justo, 4. From 3 December to 19 January
- Hermanos de San Juan de Dios Charity Nativity Scene. Madrid - Puerta de Atocha Railway Station, Pza/ Emperador Carlos V, s/n. From 7 December to 8 January
- Plaza Mayor Nativity Scene. From 1 December to 6 January
- Royal House of the Post Office. Calle del Correo, 1. Puerta del Sol. From 1 December to 6 January
- Hermanos de San Juan de Dios Charity Nativity Scene. Madrid - Chamartín Railway Station Agustin de Foxa, s/n. From 7 December to 8 January
- Galileo Cultural Centre. Galileo, 39. From 9 December to 6 January
- Plaza de Chamberí Temple. Plaza de Chamberí. From 9 December to 6 January
- La Milagrosa Basilica. García de Paredes, 45 (Parish Hall). From 20 December to 10 January
- El Calero Auditorium. José del Hierro, 3. From 18 December to 6 January
- Municipal Council. Avda. Monforte de Lemos, 40. From 4 December to 6 January
- San Andrés Apóstol Parish Church. Plaza de San Andrés. Permanent exhibition
- Paco de Lucía Auditorium Exhibition Hall. Avda. de las Águilas, 2-A . From 19 December to 7 January
- Museum of America. Avenida de Los Reyes Católicos, 6. From 3 December to 7 February
- District Municipal Council. Pza. de la Moncloa, 1. Entrance of the Council building. From 4 December to 10 January
- Aravaca Cultural Centre. Zarza, 20. From 4 December to 10 January
- Madrid Temple Nativity Scene. Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días Church. Calle Del Templo, 2. From 2 December to 5 January
- White Nativity Scene. Hacienda de Pavones, close to the corner of Calle Valdebernardo
- Lope de Vega Cultural Centre. Concejo de Teverga, 1. From 1 December to 7 January
- District Municipal Council. Pza. Daoiz y Velarde, 2. From 21 December to 7 January
- National Museum of Decorative Arts. Montalbán, 12. From 26 November to 24 January. Closed: Mondays and 1 and 6 January
- Eduardo Úrculo Cultural Centre. Pza. Donoso, 5. From 1 December to 6 January
- Tetuán Municipal Council. Juana Francés Hall. Bravo Murillo 357. From 1 December to 6 January. Closed: Sundays and Public Hols
- Our Lady Virgen de la Torre Association. Puerto Lumbreras, 40. From 10 December to 8 January
