{"id":330,"date":"2020-12-22T11:36:25","date_gmt":"2020-12-22T11:36:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.villalobosjames.com\/eternaltravelerblog\/?p=330"},"modified":"2024-10-18T18:38:18","modified_gmt":"2024-10-18T18:38:18","slug":"madrid-spain-a-sea-of-holiday-lights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.theeternaltraveler.com\/?p=330","title":{"rendered":"Madrid, Spain- A Sea of Holiday Lights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

December 22, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is once again the end of the year! A time of hope and renewal for many people. Lights hang on trees and building, illuminating whole cities. The cheer and laughter of people fill the streets and squares as last-minute holiday shopping is done. Madrid, Spain is no different, especially after full lockdown for months, the squares fill up with people and create an illusion of a sea of masks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting with Plaza Sol, it is one of the top tourist attractions in Madrid and is swarming with people. During the past few months, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the plaza has been looking pretty lonely. That lasted very little with holidays coming up. At the end of November the plaza was the fullest it had been in months. At the center of the mass of people was a huge, lit up, blue and green Christmas tree. People taking selfies, looking up at the star and children cheering was seen all around the tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Christmas Tree in Plaza Sol next to the statue of Carlos III<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And the holiday decoration doesn’t stop there. Madrid is known for lighting up the entire city with lights down every street in Madrid so holiday decorations are seen everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ornament Light Decoration Lining Madrid Streets<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Another prominent place that is visited year-long but especially during the holidays is Plaza Mayor. It features a Christmas market with many shops selling mini ceramic items for people who enjoy putting together the birth scene of Jesus and the town of Bethlehem, which is a tradition in many Spanish homes. In Plaza Mayor there is also a huge tree lit up in bright white lights. It is a popular photography site as well during this time of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n