Another Christmas is possible: these are the most alternative markets in Madrid
If you are looking for something more than the costumes and hats with reindeer antlers at the Plaza Mayor Christmas Market or if you are tired of the traditional pottery and leather goods at the Paseo de Recoletos Craft Fair, here are eight ** alternative markets and design** in which to find the perfect gift for this Christmas. That one that has nothing classic and that it leaves the traditional circuits of purchase.
From stockings with knee pads to original products for dogs, passing through jugs decorated with innovative techniques, prepare paper and pencil because the lists of Santa Claus and the Three Kings this year they are loaded with inspiration and originality.
WE LOVE ANIMALS MARKET
· What: We Love Animals Market is more of a pop up than a market that has been held for six years.
· When and where: December 20, 21 and 22, at Mood Space at number 23 of General Oraá Street (dogs are welcome).
· Access: free and gratuitous.
· Number of seats: about 22
Why go: because you will find gifts for the whole family, the one with two and four legs. There is an area entirely dedicated to animals (with food, hygiene and accessories) and also gifts for people, with "geeky animal touches".
· Objective: wants to be a showcase for a lot of entrepreneurs who are doing very interesting things and, at the same time, support associations that help animals (there is a solidarity area).
· Brands to highlight: El Galgo Azul, a great illustrator who creates gifts for everyone (harnesses, collars, dog coats, mugs, jewelry, handkerchiefs, etc.) with her own exclusive designs and who makes portraits of the animals during the market; Guau que Miau, which makes the face of your furry friend in polymer clay and can be a magnet, a pendant for the car or a small painting; and Creando Rincones, which manufactures original wooden feeders, beds and canine decoration for the home.
The two-legged family will be welcome at the We Love Animals Market.
XMAS VIBES DESIGN MARKET
· What: It is the largest market in Spain where you can find emerging national and international design.
· When and where: December 7 and 8, in the Crystal Gallery of the Palacio de Cibeles, and December 21 and 22 in its usual venue, the DIMAD Design Center in Matadero Madrid.
· Access: free and gratuitous.
· Number of seats: About 200 designers will attend.
Why go: because you will find new and original proposals full of innovation and design (fashion, jewellery, decoration, accessories, illustration, kids and more) which, moreover, will be different in each of the two editions.
· Objective: that the visitor finds alternatives to wear this Christmas and to give to those whom they want to surprise with a special detail.
Nearly 200 designers will attend the Xmas Vibes Design Market.
· Brands to highlight in Xmas Vibes Cibeles: Apricotte, "digital break" prescription and sunglasses; Lucir Más, which will show its sustainable and artisanal products made with recycled glass; and Lola Verona, who will wear her earrings made with alternative materials such as ceramics.
· Brands to highlight in Xmas Vibes Matadero: The Cool Cactus and its fun underwear and swimsuit designs; Minimalism, with its sustainable fashion pieces: backpacks, handbags, sweatshirts and more; and there will also be One Oak, a brand whose goal is to reforest our planet: for every watch, bag, backpack or cap sold, they plant a tree!
· Bonus track: In both editions, indie-pop music will be played by artists such as Algora, Monterrosa or Antifan, among others.
In the Xmas Vibes Design Market there will be concerts of indie-pop music.
CAT MARKET
· What: It is a benchmark in pop-ups in Madrid, it retains its ephemeral character and owes its name to the Madrid cats, so named at the time that three generations of the family were born in Madrid. During its seven years of existence, they have held more than 60 editions (the non-Christmas ones at the Palace hotel), which have been attended by more than two and a half million people.
· When and where: The campaign begins on December 13 and will end on January 5, at Gran Vía, 13.
· Access: free and gratuitous.
· Number of seats: 100 exhibitors, in rotation (they will participate on different dates and others during the entire campaign).
Why go: because you can find the most diverse selection of articles related to fashion and the latest trends, as well as a selection of jewelery and jewelry, accessories, handicrafts and decoration.
· Objective: promote established and newly created firms, retain new customers and offer a creative purchase option, outside the usual channels of large stores. In the Christmas Campaign, they also collaborate with different NGOs involved in various causes (such as Aldeas Infantiles) to raise awareness and help the most disadvantaged.
· Brands to highlight: Marquise, a company specializing in the sale of natural silk scarves with reproductions of works of art by French Impressionist painters; Noisno Brand, a fashion brand specializing in t-shirts, which seeks to help fulfill certain values and part of its sales are donated to different causes; and the minimalist author jewels of Catalina Borrallo.
· Bonus track: They are going to hold a photography contest to capture the Christmas essence of the Cat Market.
The Christmas edition of the Mercadillo del Gato is held on Gran Vía.
POP UP CHIC
· What: It is one of the most consolidated markets, which also makes a summer route through different parts of Spain (Pedreña, Ruiloba, Ribadesella, Guadalmina and San Sebastián).
· When and where: at Claudio Coello, 55. From November 15 to December 15, it opens a new schedule. It will open from Wednesday to Sunday every weekend from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. On these same dates (and with the same hours) it will have a second point of sale at Serrano, 72: a pop-up boutique with seven selected firms in fur, costume jewelery and fashion for men and women.
· Access: free and free or you can also reserve a place.
· Number of seats: between 30 and 35 different stalls every weekend.
Why go: because there will be exhibitors with craft items, forging and antique objects, as well as costume jewelry, jewelry, handmade accessories and clothing for men, women and children.
· Objective: offer a sales platform to different profiles of exhibitors. For example, they give opportunity to young entrepreneurs who test their products in the heart of the Salamanca district, as well as to brands that do not have a point of sale in Madrid and find it a second place for the public to access their products. They even have consolidated brands among their exhibitors that see the option of disposing of their stocks.
· Brands to highlight: Molgoy, with "the best jerseys in the world"; Four Cottons, which will bring its colorful socks; Mi stall, with clothes from major luxury brands; and Roberto Arnal's antiques.
· Bonus track: It always has a DJ, wine tasting, a children's workshop and does its bit in social actions, so every weekend it gives a space to an NGO so that it can carry out its charitable actions.
In Pop Up Chic you will find thousands of items with which to surprise this Christmas.
ALADINA FOUNDATION MARKET
· What: It is the most supportive and fun event of Christmas, which has been organized for 12 years (the first edition was in 2007).
· When and where: from Saturday, November 30 to Sunday, December 1, at the NH Collection Eurobuilding Hotel (Padre Damián 23).
· Access: free and gratuitous.
· Number of seats: 70.
Why go: because there will be artisan, gastronomic and fashion products.
· Objective: Raise funds for the fight against childhood cancer.
· Brands to highlight: the gastro cooking workshops offered in collaboration with AEG, a bar stocked by Coca-cola, Mahou and Bodegas Carabal and a Starbucks solidarity stand.
· Bonus track: They will do a charity raffle and will have a large children's area with activities for children, music concerts, cooking workshops...
The Aladina Foundation Market is the most charitable event of Christmas.
** MOTOR MARKET DOUBLE CHRISTMAS EDITION **
· What: the most inspirational market in Madrid, in which small entrepreneurs and artisans, artists and musicians meet the second weekend of each month. It started in 2012 in a warehouse owned by the Madrid Metro company called Nave de Motores, but soon the space outgrew it.
· When and where: the weekend of December 7 and 8 and December 14 and 15, at the Railway Museum (Paseo de las Delicias, 61).
· Access: free and gratuitous.
· Number of seats: there will be more than 200 creators.
Why go: because the best designers, creators, artisans and specialists in vintage participate in the double Christmas edition... all surrounded by trains, food trucks where you can try alternative cuisine and participatory live concerts.
· Objective: to be a platform where you can discover, try and buy original Spanish products and where you can have a good time listening to live music, eating and having a drink, and enjoying centennial trains.
· Brands to highlight: Legs Go, the stockings with knee pads by Eva Peña; Pichí Pichá, where they wrap the pichi (a skirt or pants with a bib and suspenders) that you buy in some pizzapichi boxes; Florea and flower arrangements by Raúl López; and Decupach, whose pots and jugs are covered with tissue paper to appear painted.
· Bonus track: There are activities for children, such as the Garden Train, a Kararocker to sing, product tastings, a large outdoor space to eat, if you go with your dog they take care of it at the entrance and, if you want to know the history of the Museum of Railroad, they teach it to you for free.
The Motor Market is held between centenary trains.
SHELLS MARKET
· What: The best-known market in the Sierra Norte de Madrid celebrates its fifth edition this year and will, as always, feature the best emerging brands of innovative designers and artisans. In addition, this time there will be new additions, with unique handmade designs.
· When and where: the weekend of December 14 and 15, at the Casa Verde de Torrelodones (Avda. Rosario Manzaneque, 25).
· Access: free and gratuitous.
Why go: because we will find from hats, fashion, jewelry, accessories and natural cosmetics, to ceramics, furniture, household linen, Christmas decoration... and always with quality and craftsmanship as a premise.
· Objective: to be a space where you can buy original and always handmade gifts and where you can have fun with the family, as it will have children's workshops (there will be a spinner who will tell children and adults with her spinning wheel the process from the shearing of the sheep to that the wool is woven, through stories) or with friends, since it will have a gourmet area with preserves from Rioja de Ortema, Majorcan cheeses and products from La Maitexa, handmade chocolates from La Bombonera de Barco, etc. Also
· Brands to highlight: the natural silk by Maite Arce, the handmade hats and headdresses by Muunt, the wicker baskets and chairs by Anidando, the Soaps by my wife, the glass enamels by Pajarito NumNum. and the solid wood furniture and handicrafts from the ecological company Sintala, which manufactures –without the need to cut down– from fallen trees or pruning.
· Bonus track: Under the same philosophy and during the weekend before Christmas (December 21 and 22), they will celebrate in the multispace Los Pérez Farm, located at the entrance of the Bonanza de Boadilla del Monte urbanization (Playa de la Concha, 2), the well-known Mercado de Los Pérez.
Detail of crafts in the Mercado de las Conchas.
*Originally published on November 22 and updated on December 3, 2019.