Bernabéu Transforms into a Festive Wonderland with Mavidad

After a challenging initial half of the season in LaLiga and the Champions League, Real Madrid enthusiasts at the Bernabéu are set to experience some well-deserved holiday cheer.

This week, the stadium will be aglow with festive spirit as it hosts “Mavidad,” a clever play on the Spanish word for Christmas, Navidad. Open from December 23 to 31, this winter wonderland-style event has transformed the Bernabéu pitch into a snow-laden village brimming with activities. Event organizers, Somos Experiences, describe Mavidad as “a unique experience, in the place where magic lives.”

Unfortunately, many players from Real Madrid have already embarked on their Christmas holidays following Saturday’s victory over Sevilla. Vinícius Júnior has shared his trip to Dubai on social media, while Kylian Mbappé posted a birthday photo from his private jet.

For teammates remaining at home during the holidays, attending Mavidad may require special arrangements, as tickets sold out mere hours after going on sale.

A detailed map of the event reveals nine distinct rides and activities set across the Bernabéu pitch. “The Magic River” invites visitors to don ice skates and glide around an enchanting ice rink, surrounded by a majestic tree. “The Frozen Lake” offers a whimsical twist on bumper cars, allowing riders to navigate “ice bumpers” in a fun collision experience. Other attractions include a carousel, a food market, and the highlight—a giant slide that sends participants tumbling from the stands directly onto the field below.

As stated by the newspaper Marca, “The Bernabéu is getting ready for its most special Christmas,” showcasing the stadium’s exterior adorned with festive imagery, including the Three Wise Men. Local television channel Telemadrid has praised the event as “the most spectacular, family-friendly Christmas plan of the season,” featuring what is touted as “the world’s largest snowball.”

Mavidad exemplifies Real Madrid’s initiative to transform the Bernabéu into a year-round entertainment hub following its €1.3 billion renovation, with plans to host a variety of events beyond football matches. As the stadium’s redevelopment nears completion, several projects have recently launched, including the “Bernabéu Market,” a gastronomic area featuring 17 food stalls from some of the city’s premier restaurants.

However, plans for concerts have faced delays due to noise complaints from local residents. Following Taylor Swift’s performance in May 2024, the club is now working on soundproofing solutions, as indicated by President Florentino Pérez. It remains uncertain whether the sounds of Mavidad’s jingle bells will pose a similar issue.

The Bernabéu is not the first sports venue to embrace the holiday spirit. Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles hosted a Holiday Festival in 2021, while Wrigley Field in Chicago features Winterland each festive season. In Europe, Paris Saint-Germain’s Parc des Princes hosts a smaller-scale celebration with an ice rink, food chalets, and opportunities to meet Santa, while Atlético Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium offers a speed skating experience.

However, Real Madrid aims for grandeur, and the Bernabéu’s Mavidad has been established in a race against the clock, with players leaving the pitch after their last game of 2025 around 11 p.m. on Saturday, just ahead of Tuesday’s grand opening.

“We had 48 hours to create this world,” Margarita Calvo, the director of Mavidad, shared with Telemadrid, emphasizing that “there’s no margin for error”—a sentiment that resonates with the club’s coaching history.