Christmas in Madrid: a different plan for groups, companies and families

December in Madrid fills up with get-togethers: the office Christmas lunch, friends coming home for the holidays, family with days off and a wish to do something together. And the script is almost always the same: a meal, a long sit at the table and a drink. That is fine, but it looks a lot like last year's.

A street game with actors does not replace that meal: it improves it. It is two hours doing something together before you sit down, and you arrive with conversation for the rest of the afternoon.

The comparison at a glance

Why a game works at Christmas

• It brings mixed groups together. Cousins who meet once a year, colleagues from different departments, friends who have not coincided for months. Cracking a case together breaks the ice without forcing it.
• It comes before the meal, not instead of it. It lasts about two hours and ends right in the centre.
• It gives you something to talk about. Who accused whom and who missed everything is good for the whole afternoon.
• From 1 person. Whoever is in Madrid those days can join, without having to put together a closed group.

For companies: before the Christmas lunch

The office lunch or dinner is almost compulsory in December. An alternative that works is to play first: two hours around the Barrio de las Letras solving a murder in 1950s Madrid, with teams mixed across departments, and then on to the table, which is just around the corner because the game ends in one of the best tapas areas in the centre. For big groups, the booking form applies a group discount you see before paying.

On weekdays you choose the time yourselves in the booking calendar; if you need something special, write to us through the contact page and we will look at the options. There are more ideas in our guide to different team building in Madrid.

For friends back for the holidays

Christmas is reunion season: people who live elsewhere come back for a few days and you have to make the most of them. A mystery around the centre is a plan that does not require catching up for three hours straight at a table: you play, you laugh and the conversation flows by itself. We go into more detail in the original plan for a reunion with friends.

For families

With children, the option is the Retiro Gardens: escape a 17th-century enchantment by finding historical characters around the park. It is for all ages, under-12s go free (always accompanied, with at least 1 adult for every 2 minors) and pets are welcome. If the family has teenagers, the Barrio de las Letras Cluedo, recommended from age 12, usually hooks them more. There are ideas in our guide to things to do in Madrid with teenagers.

Playing in December: daylight, cold and dates

• It gets dark early. In December in Madrid, night falls before six in the evening. If you want to play in daylight, choose a midday session: on the regular schedule, the 12:00 and 14:30 sessions in the Barrio de las Letras and the 11:00 and 13:30 sessions in the Retiro. All of them last about two hours.
• The Retiro needs more daylight than the Barrio. It is a park, so in winter midday is best. In the Barrio de las Letras the streets are lit and the afternoon sessions work well too.
• Coat and comfortable shoes. It is two hours outdoors. In the Barrio de las Letras, the vermouth in a classic bar halfway through is also a break indoors.
• Bad weather. Light rain does not stop the game. We only cancel for heavy, continuous rain, storms or dangerous wind, and then you choose between a new date or a full refund.
• Dates. There are sessions every day: at set times at weekends and at the time you choose on weekdays. If you are looking for a specific day over the holidays, the booking calendar shows what is available.

If it is a gift

In the booking form you can tick the "Buy as a gift" option. The recipient chooses the experience and the date, and receives a voucher by email once payment is confirmed. It works well for Secret Santa or for the person who already has everything.

Frequently asked questions about Christmas plans in Madrid

Are there sessions over Christmas? There are sessions every day: at set times at weekends and at the time you choose on weekdays. For a specific date over the holidays, the booking calendar shows what is available.

What time is best to play in December? Midday, if you want daylight: it gets dark before six in the evening, and each session lasts about two hours.

Can children come? In the Retiro Gardens, yes: it is for all ages and under-12s go free, with at least 1 adult for every 2 minors. In the Barrio de las Letras it is recommended from age 12.

Does it work as a company plan? Yes. It works very well before the Christmas lunch or dinner, with teams mixed across departments.

Can it be given as a gift? Yes. Tick "Buy as a gift" in the booking form: the recipient chooses the experience and the date.

How much does it cost? 30 € per person in the Barrio de las Letras and from 27 € in the Retiro Gardens. Each session's price is shown in the booking calendar.

Barrio de las Letras or Retiro at Christmas

This December, give the usual meal an opening act: the live Cluedo in the Barrio de las Letras for groups and companies, or the Retiro Gardens adventure for the whole family.