Madrid's Constitution holiday has ended with a lively atmosphere and better-than-expected results in the nightlife sector. Tourists and residents enjoyed Christmas lights and crowded streets, with promising prospects for the Christmas season ahead. Return traffic has caused some initial jams.
Madrid's Constitution holiday wrapped up on Monday under cloudy but rain-free skies, with mild temperatures ideal for strolling the streets. Iconic spots like Gran Vía and Puerta del Sol saw heavy foot traffic, drawn by Christmas lights, shopping, and social gatherings. The nightlife sector hails these days as an unexpected success, signaling positive momentum into Christmas.
Vicente Pizcueta, spokesperson for the Noche Madrid association, noted that the weekend exceeded forecasts by two or three points. “It has been better than expected,” he stated, emphasizing that the Christmas campaign, which began mid-November, could yield strong cumulative results. While customers remain cautious with spending, matching 2024 levels would count as a win. Neighborhoods like Chamberí and the Salamanca district also buzzed with nightlife, akin to previous holidays.
The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) launched a special operation on December 6 at 3:00 p.m., running until Monday midnight, expecting 5.7 million road trips. Incidents have already emerged, including an accident on the A-5 in Maqueda (Toledo) slowing inbound traffic to Madrid, and jams near Navalcarnero. Temperatures will drop this afternoon, ushering in winter routines. To ease the commute, the EMT will provide free municipal bus rides on Tuesday (excluding the airport express line) and complimentary Bicimad bikes.