Looking for things to do on New Year’s Eve in Madrid? Check out these ways to welcome in the New Year in style!

New Year’s Eve is generally a family celebration in Spain where people gather at home for a special traditional meal, but if you happen to visit Madrid this New Year’s, there are still a tons of great options to start the year in full swing.

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Spend New Year’s Eve at a world-class museum

Before all the partying and celebrating, you might want to enjoy the cultural side of Madrid. After all, you’re in Madrid where you can explore dozens of museums…

Insider Tip: The Madrid Museum Pass is a convenient and cost-effective option if you’re an art lover looking to explore Madrid’s renowned museums without the hassle of long lines and rigid scheduling.

Thankfully, many museums will be open on New Year’s Eve, though they often close early.

Spend hours in the Prado Museum. It’s a world-famous museum of art. The best way to make the most out of your time is to book a skip-the-line guided tour.
See Picasso’s masterpiece at the Reina Sofía. It houses Pablo Picasso’s famous ‘Guernica’ (1937). You should explore the museum on a semi-private guided tour with a knowledgeable guide.
Admire amazing art at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. It’s The former private collection of Baron Hans-Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza now state-owned. Join a semi-private guided visit of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.
Learn about Spain’s history at the National Archaeological Museum. Adjacent to the national library, it offers an impressive display of archeological and ethnographical pieces. Take advantage of a guided tour to make the most of it.
Discover the Royal Collections Gallery. Explore an extensive collection of art pieces amassed by Spanish monarchs spanning five centuries. Discover Spain’s rich artistic and cultural heritage at your own pace.
View the art and antiquities at the Lázaro Galdiano Museum. This mansion belonged to 20th-century writer and entrepreneur José Lázaro Galdiano and displays his private collection, with works ranging from Old Master paintings to decorative arts and manuscripts.

Run the San Silvestre race

The last day of the year sees one of the most populous running events, held in the Spanish capital: the 10-kilometer San Silvestre Vallecana race.

The race is divided into 2 sections:

On one side is San Silvestre Popular, which is open to all runners over 16 years old, with 40,000+ places available. Have a look at the race course and join the race. You can even run in a disguise!
On the other side is San Silvestre Vallecana International, a far more select event with just 1,000 places reserved for runners with accredited 10 km times of less than 39 minutes (for men) and 45 minutes (for women). It’s regarded as a fairly easy competition since 8 out of the 10 km are slightly downhill.

Go behind the scenes at Bernabéu Stadium

Visiting Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on your Madrid holiday is an automatic for football fans. This tour is all about diving into the history and vibe of this legendary team, taking a closer look at its incredible journey and honoring all the amazing things it’s accomplished.

Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is the home of Real Madrid, and while playing on the field might not be in the cards for most of us (though you can actually step onto it!), the Bernabéu tour is the next best way to immerse yourself in the magic of world-class football.

Believe it or not, this stadium tour is such a big deal that it’s the second most popular tourist attraction in Madrid, right after the breathtaking Museo del Prado.

Taking a tour of Barnebéu Stadium can turn this legendary spot into an unforgettable experience.

Treat yourself with a New Year’s Eve special menu

If you don’t want to go hungry on New Year’s Eve in Madrid, a little planning ahead is key! Most restaurants close early on December 31 since the Spanish tradition is to gather with family for a big, festive meal at home.

Your options?

Book a table at a restaurant or a hotel

Well, you could make a reservation in advance, but be warned, the best spots fill up fast!

A selected number of the top-notch restaurants prepare a special menu for New Year’s Eve in Madrid. Most hotel restaurants are open for business as well.

You could for example go to the finest hotel in town, the Hotel Ritz to have a luxurious dinner. Alternatively, you could book a table at the cutting-edge NH Collection Madrid Gran Vía where you can enjoy some wonderful views of the city from its impressive sky bar… Another good option is to go for dinner at a boutique hotel.

Get an invitation from a local

You might also try to befriend a local family and score an invite (good luck!).

Prepare your own local dinner at your vacation rental

Or, the safest bet: stock up on goodies from a local market like Mercado de San Miguel or Mercado de San Antón.

Even if your cooking skills are basic, you can easily throw together a tasty tapas spread with things like cured meats, manchego cheese, garlic shrimp, and spicy padrón peppers, all from the comfort of your cozy holiday apartment.

Hack the calendar and avoid the usual crowds

As you can imagine, Puerta del Sol is completely packed a few hours before midnight. Thousands of visitors and Madrileños gather here on New Year’s Eve to welcome the beginning of a new year…

But you don’t have to wait until December 31.

Actually, if you want to see the clock in action at Puerta del Sol, you have 4 chances to do it. Make sure you live the experience!

Option #1. December 30th at noon

That’s right.

You can celebrate the beginning of the year at the Puerta del Sol a day in advance! It’s when they test the clock so you can hear the 12 chimes just as they will sound on the 31st.

Option #2. December 30th at midnight

The New Year’s Eve official rehearsal is almost as popular as the night of 31st, and there are many people who celebrate with joy the “fake” or “in advance” beginning of the year as if it was the real one.

In fact, it’s the day that many Madrileños prefer, since the next day they usually have dinner with family or friends. But show up early as pretty much everyone has the same idea and you may not fit in!

Option #3. December 31 at noon

It’s the best option if you’re traveling with children since there is no agglomeration. So if you hate crowds, here’s your chance!

Option #4. December 31 at midnight

It’s the Great Night.

Try to go a few hours in advance to enter the fenced area. If you go too late, it will be impossible to grab a spot.

You’ll have to stand in line at one of the entry points before a security guard lets you in. Be patient and do as locals do: people go very well prepared with portable coolers, drinks on hand, and a lot of laughs. And yes, you can enter the fenced area with your own alcohol as long as it’s not in glass bottles.

Insider tip: On both December 30 and December 31 nights, the Puerta del Sol will be evacuated at 21:00 and there will be security personnel controlling the capacity. So don’t try to cheat hiding inside the Christmas tree…

And avoid getting off at the Sol Metro station as from these hour onward the subway won’t stop at Sol until the following morning.

Join a delicious Tapas & Wine Tour

Discover Madrid like a local on a fun tour that mixes history with mouthwatering tapas. You’ll visit 4 family-run tapas bars and munch on over 8 different dishes paired with 4 drinks, plenty to count as lunch!

Starting with the classic combo of Iberian ham and tomato toast at a cozy tavern, you’ll wander through the city’s oldest streets, taking in the sights near the Royal Palace. One of the highlights? Tasting grilled mushrooms and padrón peppers at a hidden gem that most tourists don’t even know about!

The adventure wraps up at a bar that’s been serving up garlic shrimp, a beloved local dish, since 1906. By the end, you’ll not only have filled up on some of Madrid’s tastiest bites but also picked up cool stories about how the city’s history has influenced its food scene.

Spend the best New Year’s Eve with your kids

Visiting Madrid with your kids around New Year’s is such a fun idea. There’s something really special about that time of year, and there are tons of activities that will keep both you and your little ones entertained.

Even though the focus tends to be on New Year’s Eve itself, you can enjoy all these great things in the days leading up to it too. The whole city has this festive vibe, and with Christmas still fresh in everyone’s minds, it just feels extra magical.

Visit the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Without a doubt, the football’s Mecca. Do the ‘Bernabéu Tour’ and walk through the most emblematic areas of the stadium.
Have adrenaline-fueled fun at Parque de Atracciones de Madrid. Enjoy 50 different attractions suitable for every age, and divided into 5 theme zones. You’ll have a blast!
Admire the Royal Palace. Marvel at the grandeur and opulence of the building. Take advantage of a skip-the-line ticket for a guided tour of this impressive royal residence.
Get Zoo Aquarium Madrid tickets. It’s both a zoo and an aquarium! It’s one of the biggest in Europe with over 330 different species of animals.
Go to Retiro Park, where your children can roam freely amidst lush gardens and sparkling lakes.
Get ready for heart-pounding excitement at Warner Bros. Park Madrid. Here fantasy comes to life with beloved characters and thrilling rides. It’s the most American-like park in Europe by far!

Eat the 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve in Madrid

New Year’s Eve in Spain is called Nochevieja that stands for “The Old Night”. Hours before midnight on New Years Eve, tens of thousands of people gather in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol to await the chimes of the clock on the tower which dominates the Spanish capital’s central square.

Now, Spain has a very special way of doing this: everyone eats one grape for every chime the clock rings for the first 36 seconds of the year!

So, 36 seconds = 12 chimes = 12 grapes! Crazy but so very true!

The first grape, and the second, are easy… But as your cheeks get filled it will be hard not to laugh making it harder to eat all 12 grapes on time. However, if you’re brave enough and manage to eat all the 12 grapes as the last chime, you’ll have a lucky year.

Insider tip: Try to eat seedless grapes, or peel them before…

Enjoy an authentic flamenco show

Looking for an unforgettable flamenco experience in Madrid on New Year’s Eve? Torres Bermejas has you covered!

Torres Bermejas started out as La Taberna Gitana, one of the first spots for flamenco in Madrid, back in 1949. After some serious renovations, the place reopened in 1960 with a fresh look and a new name: Torres Bermejas.

The entire venue became a hotspot for top flamenco performers, like El Güito and Manolo Caracol. But what really makes it special is that it’s the only place Camarón de la Isla performed. He even met Paco de Lucía there! Today, thousands of flamenco fans, including celebrities, come by just to soak up the history and see where these legends performed.

Located in central Madrid, just off Gran Via, Torres Bermejas offers an amazing flamenco experience. You can enjoy drinks or try their seasonal dinner menus while watching a live show featuring different flamenco styles. With 20 top-notch performers (singers, dancers, and guitarists) the atmosphere is electric, and the stunning Alhambra-inspired décor only adds to the magic.

Head to the best parties of New Year’s Eve in Madrid

A New Year’s Eve party, or cotillón, is the perfect way to welcome the New Year. Given the following day is a national holiday, locals are often out partying until the wee hours of the morning, and there are many ways you can get in among them and celebrate Madrileño style!

Teatro Kapital, Oh My Club, Opium, Mon, Look-Legend, Sala 0, Fortuny, Graf, Gotham, Velvet, Le Boutique, Platea, Teatro Barceló are some of the clubs that host special parties for New Year’s. Most of the clubs in Madrid host parties that you should definitely book in advance, so it’s worth doing a bit of research before you go.

If you plan on bar hopping with your friends just bear in mind that most places won’t be selling entry at the door and if they are, they will likely be packed if you don’t get there early!

Watch the Christmas lights on a hop-on hop-off bus

The hop-on hop-off bus tour in Madrid offers you a convenient and comprehensive way to see the Christmas lights. It eliminates the need to navigate public transport or walk long distances, allowing you to easily visit major avenues while seeing the beautiful Christmas decorations.

First off, you get an amazing, elevated view of all the sparkling lights strung across the streets, which you just can’t get from walking around. From the top deck, you’ll have an unobstructed view of iconic spots like Gran Vía, Plaza de Cibeles, and Puerta de Alcalá, all decked out in festive decorations.

Plus, it’s super convenient: no need to navigate crowded sidewalks or worry about missing any of the best spots. You can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the festive atmosphere. It’s also a great way to cover a lot of ground quickly, especially if you’re short on time. And let’s be honest, riding a double-decker under a sky full of twinkling lights just adds a little extra magic to the holiday season!

Eat chocolate con churros on New Year’s Eve in Madrid

Another tradition, far more practical than grape eating, is the stop for chocolate con churros on the way home.

Served hot and straight out of the the frier, churros are elongated, star-shaped pieces of deep fried dough covered in sugar. And as delicious as they are on their own, they are served with a side of velvety melted chocolate for dipping.

It’s the best hangover cure!

Oh, you can also have them at any other time of the day…

Where to have the best chocolate con churros in Madrid:

Chocolatería San Ginés (Pasadizo de San Ginés, 5). This is a very popular place, so expect a long line before you!
Chocolatería de la Puerta Del Sol (Calle del Correo, 4).
Chocolatería 1902 (Calle de San Martín, 2).
Churrería-Chocolatería Las Farolas (Calle Mayor, 11).
Maestro Churrero (Plaza de Jacinto Benavente, 2).
Chocolat Madrid (Calle de Santa María, 30).
Chocolatería Valor (Calle del Postigo de San Martín, 7 and Calle del Conde de Peñalver, 43).
La Antigua Churrería (Calle del Conde de Peñalver, 32).
Churrería-Chocolatería La Encarnita (Calle de Meléndez Valdés, 45).
Manosanta (Calle Hermosilla, 97).
Churrería Santa Ana (Calle de Santa Ana, 7).
La Churrería La Andaluza (Calle de Hernani, 10).

Accommodation in Madrid in New Year’s Eve

If you’re visiting Madrid at this time of year, keep in mind that Christmas and New Year’s are the peak of the season.

That means that hotel prices for the end of the year dates, which usually drop a bit in the fall, start to rise again in November.

So I strongly recommend you to book your accommodation as early as possible.

Find your hotel in Madrid

This article is part of a complete tutorial about Christmas in Madrid where you can read all the information you need to enjoy the best Christmas holidays in Madrid.

Here is a complete summary of all the guide:

1. Spend an unforgettable Christmas in Madrid
2. 11 things to do in Madrid for Christmas
3. 12 awesome things to do on New Year’s Eve in Madrid
4. How to celebrate Three Kings’ Day in Madrid
5. The best Christmas markets in Madrid
6. 10 unique Christmas present ideas from Madrid
7. My favorite 5 Spanish Christmas sweets in Madrid
8. Enjoy the Madrid Christmas lights walk

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