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Madrid expands video calls with the Reyes Magos and adds 1,000 new appointments
Madrid is offering new appointments to talk with the Reyes Magos, with more than 2,000 children already signed up, video calls, and new in-person activities on Calle Carretas to enjoy Christmas in Sol.
The Community of Madrid has decided to expand the '012 Reyes Magos' service by 1,000 places, allowing more children to speak by video call with Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar until 5 January. Since its launch on 23 December, the initiative has seen high demand, with more than 2,000 children already signed up to speak with Their Majesties from the East.
The service, sponsored by Metro de Madrid and now in its third edition, forms part of the Christmas programme in Sol. To take part, families must book an appointment in advance on the official website, choosing a day and time. Each video call lasts around five minutes and is offered daily from 12:00 to 15:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00, except on 5 January, when it ends at 15:00, and on 1 January, when the service is unavailable.
As a new feature, from today until 5 January, families can go without an appointment to the Community of Madrid Registration Office, at Carretas Street 4, to speak with their favourite Wise Man through a digital screen. This point keeps the general opening hours, with adjustments on 31 December and 5 January, when it will close at 18:00 and 15:00 respectively, and it will remain closed on 1 January.
'012 Reyes Magos' joins other free Christmas activities in Sol, such as the Bosque de los Deseos in Pontejos Square and the Casita Solidaria, with handcrafted products from social organisations until 4 January.
In addition, the Real Casa de Correos hosts a Nativity scene which this year recreates the Flight into Egypt beneath a sky of 60,000 LED lights. Since 28 November, the Regional Government headquarters has also offered Villancicos en Sol, with more than 300 performances by choirs and groups from the region.
Another new feature is the immersive El Canal de la Navidad experience, organised by Canal de Isabel II, which seeks to raise awareness of the responsible use of water. Finally, Metro de Madrid runs its Tren de la Navidad along Line 3, decorated and illuminated, every weekend and public holiday until 6 January.