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Campus Corner: Detour Here → Holiday Magic Ahead ✨🎄🍪

Marina Maeso - Wednesday, April 8
 Campus Corner 

Welcome back to The Campus Corner! Every two weeks, we bring you closer to the people behind your program—not just as your experience team but as locals who love sharing the best of Madrid. We want to build a more personal connection with you and help make Madrid feel like home.

In each edition, you’ll find our favorite spots, from hidden cafes to campus must-visits. Whether you're looking for a brunch spot or just curious about what we love around the city, we hope our picks add something special to your day.

Let’s keep exploring together—enjoy this edition and we'll see you in the next one! Guiño

Meet Rosa

Madrid born somewhere between a tortilla and a mangú: Spanish and Dominican roots. I’ve called a few European cities “home,” mostly because my plants survived there.

I’m currently working as a Program Assistant for the MRCB, MDBI sept25 and EDTX programs.

Favorite meal? 
Merienda, always sweet. Anything with pistachio cream is a win:’)

One thing I can’t live without?
Sarcasm. And snacks. Preferably both at once.

WhatsApp status? 
A snail and a turtle, a quiet nod to the fable of the tortoise and the hare.

What's your favorite smell? 
The smell of freshly made waffles.

Which of your personality traits are you most proud of?
My gift for flânerie, basically turning doing nothing into an art form.

Who’s my celebrity lookalike?
I’ve been told I’m somewhere between Zazie Beetz, Sasha Lane, and Zendaya, which basically means I radiate “main character energy” on good hair days only.

🎨 Warm Tones for Cold Days – Galería María Porto & David Bardía

Escape the chill with a visit to Espacio Villanueva (Calle Villanueva 40) before 4 December. This group exhibition features luminous oil paintings that transport you to sun-drenched beaches, just when Madrid turns frosty. Alongside these, find bodegones andaluces (classic Andalusian still lifes) and intimate family portraits that blend tradition with quiet emotional depth.

🕙 Open Mon–Fri 10:00–20:30, Sat 11:00–14:00
🎟️ Free entry
💡 Tip: A perfect detour between classes and the Christmas lights of nearby Calle Serrano.

✨ Naturaleza Encendida – Light Up Your Evening 

From 26 Nov 2025 to 6 Jan 2026 (with sessions every ~15 minutes from ~18:00 onwards) at Parque Enrique Tierno Galván, Madrid. Stroll through illuminated forests, aquatic worlds and aerial realms with friends, camera in hand, and let the city‑mood shift from “study” to “wow”.

Tip: Arrive just after sunset for ideal lighting, and pick a weekday slot for a more relaxed vibe.

🎄Cortylandia: Pure Madrid Nostalgia

Running from 22 Nov – 5 Jan at El Corte Inglés (Preciados), this free light-and-music show is a Madrileño holiday classic — and yes, it’s still worth a peek, even in your twenties.

⏰ Shows daily: 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 17:00–21:00 hourly
❄️ Best enjoyed post-class, pre-tapas. Weekdays = fewer kids.

☕ Café Break: Holiday Edition

Salón des Fleurs – Flowery, vintage‑chic and quietly festive. This café‑florist in Chamberí always sets a mood and at Christmastime it leans into subtle luxury with floral arrangements, delicate lights and cosy corners. 

Brownie – Hermosilla – On Calle Hermosilla 26, this café is friendly, stylish and inviting. During the holiday season it’s a great place to take a study break, sip a speciality coffee and appreciate their warm décor while you watch the festive city drift by.

Whether you're ducking in for a solo hour of WiFi and tea or meeting friends for brownies + chatter, these spots bring just the right amount of holiday ambiance without turning into a full‑on tourist trap.

Cookies DYI Edition

If you’re in the mood for a wholesome December plan (and by wholesome I mean cute cookies), Cocomad Bakery is hosting the cutest Christmas Workshop. You’ll decorate your own cookies from scratch while having a yummy breakfast... peak ✨multitasking✨!

No experience needed, just wanting to have a good time and an appetite! You’ll play with festive colours, learn basic decorating techniques, and leave with your own cookie stash to gift… or to “accidentally” eat yourself.

🗓 14 December
⏰ 10:30–13:00
📍 Cocomad, Moncloa.

They also have some more Christmas workshops, like a DYI ceramic Christmas ornaments on Dec. 9th. More info & sign up in their DMs!

‘Tis the Season to Browse & Be Merry 🎄

From charming chalets to artisan gifts and skating rinks under the stars, the city’s markets are in full festive swing. Whether you're gift-hunting, photo-snapping, or just here for the churros, here's where to find the holiday magic this season.

Plaza Mayor Christmas Market - Madrid’s most iconic holiday fair, with over 100 wooden stalls offering nativity figurines, tree ornaments, quirky wigs, and tinsel galore.
  • Plaza Mayor, 27 Nov – 31 Dec 2025
  • Classic, crowded, completely essential.

Plaza de España: La Navideña
Nordic-style chalets, artisan food, and a big skating rink make this one feel like a winter village.

  • Plaza de España, Late Nov – 6 Jan 2026
  • Best enjoyed after sunset with a hot drink in hand.

Paseo de Recoletos: Artisan Market
A refined open-air fair showcasing ceramics, leather, jewelry, and more by regional craftspeople.

  • Between Cibeles and Colón, 1 – 30 Dec 2025
  • Less tinsel, more taste — for those seeking thoughtful gifts.

El Corte Inglés Castellana Christmas Village
A city-style mix of twinkling lights, gourmet stands, and holiday hits on loop, all in the heart of commercial Madrid.

  • Nuevos Ministerios, Mid-Nov – 5 Jan 2026
  • Ideal for combining festive vibes with serious shopping.

Plaza de Colón Christmas Market
Family-friendly with a tiovivo carousel, more food than you’ll admit to eating, and general holiday cheer.

  • Plaza de Colón, Late Nov – early Jan
  • Fun daytime plan, especially before or after a museum visit.

Campus Bites 😋 Goiko

When only a big, juicy burger will do, Goiko delivers (literally and figuratively). This María de Molina hotspot is dangerously close to campus and fully equipped to turn a rough day into a good one.
They’ve got a solid menú del día, tons of gluten-free options, and—wait for it—a special IE Perks discount! So even if you're just in it for the fries and dips, your wallet and your stomach will thank you.

  • Recommendation: The iconic Kevin Bacon and the Mas S-Mash, and their homemade Iced Teas (both lemon & peach) are delicious & refreshing.

  • P.S.: Don't wear white

If coffee runs through your veins: Hanso & Hanso 2

The cool kids of Madrid’s café scene—and they know it. The original in Malasaña delivers matcha, cloud-like pancakes, and Tokyo-chic vibes. Its sleeker sibling in Justicia flaunts a pastry lab and design-forward desserts (yuzu tart, anyone?).
Finding a seat? Tough. Worth it? Always.

Recommendation: Any of their latest inventions are always worth checking out. The MANGO (in the picture) is heavenly.

🌸 Flower‑Power in Madrid Vogue Style

On Saturday 13 December 2024, from 11:00 to 20:00, the stylish stretch of Calle Jorge Juan (between Serrano and Castelló) transforms into a vibrant outdoor flower market, courtesy of VOGUE. 
Expect floral installations, top Madrid florists, pop‑up design stands and seasonal workshops.

🌲 Bosque de los Deseos – Write your wish, spark your year

From 5 Dec 2025 to 6 Jan 2026 at the heart of Madrid (Calle Carretas/Plaza Pontejos). 

🕙 Hours: 10:00–22:00 normally; on 24 & 31 Dec and 5 Jan it’s 10:00–18:00; closed 25 Dec & 1 Jan. 

Free entry. Fill the forest with your wishes and start the year with a little magic.Come with a pen, a hope, maybe your friends— hang a note on one of the trees (yes, you’re never too old for a little magic). 

✨ Naviluz — Madrid’s Midnight Light Ride

From 23 Nov 2025 to 6 Jan 2026 (except 24 & 31 Dec and 5 Jan), hop aboard a 50‑minute bus tour through Madrid’s dazzling Christmas lights. Departures run every ~15 minutes from 18:00 to 22:00 (Fridays & Saturdays include a 22:15 slot). 
📍 Start: Calle Felipe IV (near the Museo del Prado) → Finish: Plaza Cánovas del Castillo.

A perfect post‑class escape: bring a warm layer, a fun group, and see the city in a whole new light.

🕵️‍♀️ ok ok ok... we weren’t gonna do this twice, but hey, here we are. swing by the cafeteria on Dec. 3rd, from 2:00 to 3:00pm. first 100. there’ll be a tiny quiz and one simple request:
tell us your favorite—and least favorite—thing about this newsletter.
missed it? there'll be more 👀

🎡 Christmas Festival Round‑Up

Navipark 2025 – Móstoles

  • Dates & Location: Opens 22 Nov 2025, runs through 6 Jan 2026 at Parque Finca Liana (Av. Iker Casillas 1) in Móstoles. 
  • What’s inside: Over 40 attractions including a covered ice rink, a 30‑metre ferris wheel, and a rolling‑disco highlight. 
  • Why it fits you: A relaxed weekday evening visit works great after a class — more space, fewer kids, lots of photo‑ops with lights.

Mágicas Navidades de Madrid – Torrejón de Ardoz

  • Dates & Location: From 14 Nov 2025 to 6 Jan 2026 at the Recinto Ferial of Torrejón de Ardoz.
  • What to expect: Massive park over 100,000 m², themed zones (light‑shows, ice on a lake, real‑sized nativity, a giant ferris wheel). 
  • Why go: If you’re up for a bigger outing with friends, this delivers on spectacle and night‑out energy.

Mavidad Bernabéu – Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid city centre)

  • Dates & Location: From 24 Dec 2025 to 31 Dec 2025 inside the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (Paseo de la Castellana, Madrid). 
  • What’s special: For one week the stadium becomes a Christmas village — amusement zones, ice‑activities, a “world’s largest snowball”, immersive experiences. 
  • Why it speaks to older students: One‑off, unique venue, multi‑session format. Best booked early for the December long weekend.

📢 A call to YOU! 📢

Madrid is full of amazing spots, so tell us what you've found! 😉 Whether it’s your go-to café for studying, the best late-night bites, or a hidden gem for weekend brunch, we want to hear about it!

💬 Drop your favorite places by pressing the button below and tell us why you love them! We’d love to showcase student-recommended spots—because the best places deserve to be discovered and shared! 🔥

Thank you for spending a little time with us!
We hope these recommendations add a spark of inspiration to your week. Now it’s your turn – pause for a moment and reflect on your day.

Whether it’s a “10” kind of day or one that could use a little lift, remember that tomorrow is a fresh start. We’re here to help make your time on and off-campus feel like home, so don’t hesitate to share your thoughts or tips with us, too.

If you're having a rough day, here is a cat video to try and make your day a tad better. Ojos de sonrisa 

Until next time,  
⭐ Your Campus Corner Team ⭐

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