10 Things to Do in Madrid in November

If you travel to Madrid in November, you will find a month full of festivals, exhibitions, concerts, and fairs that showcase the cultural grandeur of the Spanish capital.

In November, you welcome the end-of-year season full of magic and can enjoy the many things to do and see in Madrid. Take note!

November 9 is the feast day of the Virgin of La Almudena, patron saint of Madrid, and the Cathedral becomes a meeting place for thousands of believers who attend Catholic rites and the procession to the Plaza Mayor, which winds its way through the city's Sal, Postas, Esparteros, Mayor, and Bailén streets. Attending this event allows you to connect with the local culture, history, and religiosity.

Don't miss out on trying the Corona de la Almudena, which is only eaten at this time of year and is usually decorated with a figurine of the Virgin Mary. The original recipe is said to date back to 1978, when pastry chefs wanted to create a new dessert in honor of the Virgin Mary, similar to the traditional Roscón de Reyes.

I highly recommend taking a tour on one of Madrid's tourist buses to learn more about the Almudena Cathedral and other iconic places in the city. The cathedral also offers tours of the interior of the temple, where you can get an audio guide to complement your tour.

From late October to early November, the Suma Flamenca Festival takes place at various venues throughout Madrid, bringing together troubadours, singers, and dancers from all over the country in this gathering of nearly 200 artists on stage.

When we talk about Spain, we usually think of tapas, good food and, of course, flamenco. That rhythm that has taken the sounds of the country to all corners of the globe, the magic of its dancers and the tradition of many families that is passed down from generation to generation.

For me, this is one of the essential artistic experiences in Madrid at any time of the year, not to mention a must for anyone who comes from afar looking to discover the city.

Here are some shows I recommend:

• Flamenco show at the Corral de la Morería in Madrid — from $67
• Flamenco show at the Teatro Flamenco in Madrid — from $34
• Flamenco show at Torres Bermejas in Madrid — from $33

One of the things that characterizes Madrid's lively nightlife is going out for tapas. There's something for everyone, and trying them is an activity in itself, not only gastronomically but also socially and culturally.

You can enjoy them on your own at any bar in the city, but you can also find several tapas tours that will take you on a journey through the most traditional flavors.

I recommend two that I find very comprehensive and interesting:

• Tapas tour in Madrid — from $100
• Retiro Park and tapas tour in Madrid — from $35

Towards the end of autumn, Madrid begins to transform itself to enjoy the Christmas season.

If you're there at the end of November, it's a good idea to visit the Christmas markets that are set up in various areas of the city and enjoy the lights that begin to appear on the main streets.

From the end of the month and throughout December, Madrid's Plaza Mayor is transformed into a market with colorful stalls, where residents and visitors can find nativity scenes, decorative figures, Christmas musical instruments, lights, and toys that promote the local economy of merchants who have been selling their products in this historic place for over a century.

On the last Friday of November each year, the city's Christmas lights are officially inaugurated. Whether walking, riding a tourist bus, or cycling, you will enjoy an urban work of art that features the creations of designers, artists, and lighting specialists year after year.

Traditions such as Black Friday are also celebrated in Madrid, and the last week of November is the ideal time to visit the city's shopping centers to take advantage of the sales and start your end-of-year shopping.

But beyond these specific dates, when it comes to shopping, Madrid has numerous options. From street markets to shopping centers with luxury stores. One place you can't miss if you like these kinds of plans is Las Rozas Village, a shopping center on the outskirts of Madrid that offers luxury stores and top brands at greatly reduced prices.

Strolling around there is a plan in itself, as it is open-air, has a very elegant and attractive aesthetic, and offers a range of dining options for a pleasant day out while you do your shopping.

If you are a fan of the performing arts, you should know that in November the city is filled with the main national and international theater, dance, and performance events.

More than ten theaters and twenty venues in the city are participating in the Fall Festival, one of the most important and eagerly awaited theater festivals on the international circuit, where you can discover the most innovative and powerful productions.

Live arts, immersive theater, performance, contemporary dance, experimental music, and dramaturgy, film, and poetry workshops are available almost every day of the month throughout the city.

If you want to stay up to date on all the shows available, you can visit the official website of the Community of Madrid to find out about capacity, prices, schedules, and much more.

Cinema also has its place in Madrid during November. On your visit to the Spanish capital, you may be looking for much more than the best city tours and want to find a different cultural experience. The El Ojo Cojo Festival is one such experience.

With a selection of feature films and short films, documentaries and fiction, animations and experimental cinema, this circuit brings together several directors from countries across all continents to discuss issues that represent major challenges for society.

The festival is held in various public spaces around the city, including the French Institute, the Quinta del Sordo, the Fundación Acción Triángulo and other independent venues.

Another must-see in October is the Madrid International Jazz Festival, an event for lovers of the genre where you can enjoy concerts, but also a program of photography exhibitions, screenings, and conferences, as well as markets with specialized literature and gatherings of music lovers.

Theaters, independent venues, and bars throughout the city come together to host this festival, where you can enjoy the enormous musical richness of the genre by appreciating experienced artists but also discovering new talents on the Madrid jazz scene.

As one of the festival's hallmarks is inclusion, many of the venues are adapted for people with reduced mobility or disabilities, and tickets are available at affordable prices, making jazz an experience for everyone.

The imminent arrival of winter and the increasing cold that characterizes the final months of each year are a golden opportunity for the city to reinvent itself.

This is the case with Plaza Colón, which from the end of November until January is transformed into a huge ice rink in the heart of the Spanish capital. 800 square meters of fun available for all ages.

The rink is also known as the Javier Fernández ice rink, named after the decorated Spanish world and Olympic figure skating champion who promotes this initiative every year.

In addition, part of the proceeds from ticket sales goes to support the activities of the Down España center, an organization that works for the inclusion and defense of human rights for people with Down syndrome.

While skating, you can watch DJ sessions on a giant screen and enjoy a merry-go-round and a market, giving you an early taste of the lights and colors of Christmas.

The rink is open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Be sure to arrive early, as tickets are only sold on site and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

In November, it starts to get cold in Madrid and you'll want to warm up, so I recommend trying churros, a sweet, rich, and crunchy fried dough that is a favorite of many Madrileños for breakfast, a snack, or even a late-night meal after a night out. Of course, they are accompanied by a hot, thick cup of chocolate.

This is a plan that will make you feel like a local and allow you to discover some of the city's most iconic churros shops. One of the most famous places is La Antigua 1913, a shop that has a churros recipe with more than 100 years of history. Today it is a restaurant and bar with an extensive menu for breakfast and snacks.

But don't worry, wherever you go, the experience will be worth it. It's also a very inexpensive plan, as a serving of 4 churros can cost as little as €1.90. Don't forget to accompany them with a good hot chocolate to keep up the tradition.

Although the cold weather begins in November, you can still enjoy sunny days, and it doesn't rain much. Temperatures hover around 13°C / 6°C.

I recommend dressing warmly enough to take walks around the city and enjoy outdoor events. Without a doubt, this is a month with ideal temperatures for exploring Madrid and enjoying the magic of autumn.