🎄The Tapa Weekend: December 22
A Santa Claus race, a flamenco gala and a majestic Christmas recital.
By @IanMount and @AdrianBono | December 22, 2023 | Madrid | Issue #35
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Here Are 5 Things to Do in Madrid This Weekend
It’s finally Christmas weekend! So while you run to Amazon or Ali Express to do some last-minute shopping because, let’s face it, we always leave these things for last, here are five fun christmassy things to do this weekend while you wait for Papá Noel to climb down your chimney.
…or rather to show up at your doorstep because no one has a chimney anymore. What is this, Victorian London?
Anyway, Merry Christmas and/or non-denominational festivities, everyone!
PS: We’ll be off for the next two weeks but fear not, we will be back in the unlikely case that something big happens.
1. Carrera Papá Noel 2023: Lots of Runners Dressed as Santa Claus
Let’s start with this Sunday.
The Santa Claus race celebrates it’s 12th edition this Christmas Eve. It’s an annual event in which thousands of runners from all ages (yes, even kids) gather at the Paseo de Recoletos and cross the streets of downtown Madrid to participate in a 5K race that kicks off the pre-Christmas Day festivities.
The charity race supports the Cruz Roja (Red Cross) and its project for Vocational Training for Youth at risk of social exclusion. This project “enables many young people to take advantage of this training in order to develop their personal and professional skills with personalized and individualized support”. And that is good.
The Red Cross has for over 30 years been providing training and guiding young people between 16 and 29 years old who lack a high school diploma or vocational training. So you get to have fun with friends and family, all while doing it for a good cause.
La Carrera de Papá Noel. Corner of Paseo de Recoletos and Salustiano Olózaga, Madrid. Dec. 24, 10:30 a.m. Tickets: €14.60. Sign up via website. Limited availability.
2. The Great Flamenco Gala
Get your fancy clothes because it’s gala time this Christmas Eve!
Gran Gala Flamenco, the most-watched flamenco show in the history of Barcelona, makes its debut in Madrid at the Teatro EDP Gran Vía, offering a complete immersion into the flamenco world with choreographies created by some of the most acclaimed Spanish dance companies.
With the artistic direction of renowned guitarist Tati Amaya (great-nephew of the legendary dancer Carmen Amaya), over 20 years of uninterrupted programming and over 3 million tickets sold, Gran Gala Flamenco is in town this weekend (and on Jan. 1), to let you experience first hand the exciting world of flamenco. And trust us, it’s no tourist trap.
From castanets to long-tailed dresses, fans, exquisite attire, and original music, this show has it all. If you were thinking of a flamenco show to go see this holiday season, this is it.
Gran Gala Flamenco. Teatro EDP Gran Vía, Gran Vía 66, Madrid. Dec. 24, 6 p.m. & Jan. 1, 7 p.m. Tickets start at €35.
3. Christmas Concert at the Royal Theater
We were going to post this amateur video above but we honestly don’t think it's fair considering how amazing this Christmas recital is. In fact, this is the Christmas recital in Madrid, which takes place every Christmas Eve at the Royal Palace (and it usually sells out because of how great it is, so hurry up).
In other words, this Dec. 24 get ready to welcome Christmas with a concert of carols and popular songs performed by a symphony orchestra, choir, and soloists. Prepare to tear up as you enjoy timeless songs from the holiday season and from around the world.
From classic Spanish carols to contemporary Christmas classics from Mariah Carey, this event has it all. “Jingle Bells,” “O Holy Night,” “Hallelujah” and, of course, “All I want for Christmas is You”. It’s basically the entire Home Alone soundtrack. Run to buy your tickets now.
Concierto de Navidad. Teatro Real. Pl. de Isabel II, s/n, Madrid. Dec. 24, 12 p.m. Tickets start at €35.
4. Borealis
Ever wondered what it would be like to see the aurora borealis in Madrid? Well, here’s your answer. And you better hurry up because today is the last day to enjoy it.
The Centro Cultural Conde Duque is hosting a lights installation in its Central Courtyard—one that recreates the astronomical phenomenon commonly seen in the arctic circle (which happens to be where Santa Claus lives!). That’s right, this incredible installation called Borealis recreates the Northern Lights.
The Borealis installation is created by Dan Acher, who works in Switzerland using art as a tool for social change and presents his “artivist” work, as he likes to call it, in major cities around the world. The installation's soundtrack is composed by the French composer, Guillaume Desbois.
Borealis. Centro Cultural Conde Duque. Calle Conde Duque 9, Madrid. Friday, Dec. 22. Free admission until full capacity is reached.
5. Teatro Circo Price’s La Casa del Arbol
Here’s one for the kids. Especially those kids who have fantasized about having a magical tree house.
This year, the Circo Price arena “becomes a giant tree where Sarah and Jose invite their imaginary friends to show them how Christmas is celebrated in their countries”.
The show is for people of all ages who want to discover “the many ways people bid farewell to the year as it prepares to welcome another. From Japan to Mexico, from South Africa to Spain, Sarah and Jose will experience the celebration of life that travels the planet... without leaving the treehouse”.
The circus “keeps its date with Christmas … with a sweet, fun, and imaginative show in which circus acts take the spotlight.
Directed and written by Emiliano Sánchez Alessi, and featuring artists from Spain, Ethiopia, Chile, France, Argentina, and more, Circus Price at Christmas: La Casa del Árbol will “welcome you with all the excitement of a new year beginning”.
La Casa del Árbol. Teatro Circo Price. Rda. de Atocha, 35, Madrid. Through Jan. 6. Check website for times. Tickets start at €15.
👨🏻💻 Viral Story of the Week
🤴 Right on, King DAP
The ex King met up with an old friend recently and it seems they have both been practicing the DAP handshake. With these elderly royal-adjacent folk, hilarity ensues!
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