Prado Museum at Christmas: opening hours for 24, 25, 31 December and 1 and 6 January
The Prado Museum opens over Christmas with reduced hours from 10:00 to 14:00 on 24 and 31 December and 6 January, and stays closed on 25 December and 1 January (verified data). Entry is free Monday to Saturday from 18:00 to 20:00. Book online to skip the ticket office.
The Prado's hours day by day at Christmas
These are the special dates over the Christmas period. Days not listed keep the usual hours: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00 and Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 19:00.
| Date | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 24 December (Christmas Eve) | 10:00 – 14:00 | Reduced hours |
| 25 December (Christmas Day) | Closed | Not open |
| 26 to 30 December | 10:00 – 20:00 | Usual hours |
| 31 December (New Year's Eve) | 10:00 – 14:00 | Reduced hours |
| 1 January (New Year's Day) | Closed | Not open |
| 2 to 5 January | 10:00 – 20:00 | Usual hours |
| 6 January (Epiphany) | 10:00 – 14:00 | Reduced hours |
In short: three days of reduced hours (24 and 31 December and 6 January, 10:00–14:00) and two days of full closure (25 December and 1 January). The rest of the period the museum runs as normal, including the afternoon free-entry slot.
Free entry to the Prado at Christmas
The free-entry policy continues over Christmas on every day with normal hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 18:00 to 20:00.
- Sundays and public holidays: 17:00 to 19:00.
- 6 December (Constitution Day): free entry during the whole opening day.
Important: on reduced-hours days (24 and 31 December and 6 January) the museum closes at 14:00, so there is no afternoon free slot on those dates. To make the most of free entry, choose a day with full hours.
Closed days and reduced-hours days in 2026
| Closed days | 1 January · 1 May · 25 December |
|---|---|
| Reduced hours (10:00–14:00) | 6 January · 24 December · 31 December |
| General hours (Mon–Sat) | 10:00 – 20:00 |
| General hours (Sun & holidays) | 10:00 – 19:00 |
| General admission | €15 |
| Address | Paseo del Prado s/n, 28014 Madrid |
This data was verified in June 2026. As special hours can shift from year to year, it is worth confirming them before your visit on our hours and prices page.
Visiting the Prado at Christmas: what to keep in mind
- Reduced-hours days fill up in the morning. With only four hours open (10:00–14:00), 24 and 31 December and 6 January concentrate all attendance into the morning. Arrive early.
- 26 to 30 December is busy with tourists. These are bridge days and school holidays; the museum is more crowded than usual even with full hours.
- The cold works in your favour indoors. The Prado is a perfect indoor plan for a winter day in Madrid: heated, spacious and home to the best of European painting.
- Book a timed ticket so you don't rely on the ticket office. During the festive season the ticket-office queue can be long; a timed ticket guarantees your entry.
Book your Prado ticket at Christmas
Skip the ticket-office queue during the holidays. Book your timed Prado Museum ticket online and walk in without waiting, even on the busiest days.
See Prado tickets →⏳ Time-slot places are limited. Lock in your time · free cancellation.
Prefer a guided tour?
If you are in Madrid at Christmas and want to make the most of your morning at the museum, a guided tour takes you straight to Las Meninas, Goya's Black Paintings and The Garden of Earthly Delights with context and priority access. It is especially handy on reduced-hours days, when time is limited.
Travellers who book, visit and double-check every detail against official sources. Last reviewed: June 2026. Visited the Prado at Christmas? Tell us about your visit →
Frequently asked questions about the Prado at Christmas
What are the Prado's hours on 24 and 31 December?
Reduced hours from 10:00 to 14:00 on both dates (Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve). The afternoon is closed.
Is the Prado open on 25 December and 1 January?
No. The museum is closed on 25 December (Christmas Day) and 1 January (New Year's Day).
What are the Prado's hours on 6 January (Epiphany)?
Reduced hours from 10:00 to 14:00, the same as 24 and 31 December.
Is there free entry to the Prado at Christmas?
Yes, on days with normal hours: Monday to Saturday from 18:00 to 20:00 and Sundays and public holidays from 17:00 to 19:00. Reduced-hours days close at 14:00 and have no afternoon free slot. In addition, 6 December is free all day.
How much is a ticket at Christmas?
€15 for general admission, the same as the rest of the year. The skip-the-line ticket through Civitatis starts from €18 and includes a timed booking.
Is it worth booking online at Christmas?
Yes. The reduced hours and the crowd of visitors with time off mean booking a timed ticket avoids the ticket-office queue and secures entry.
Content reviewed by the Ticket Visit team · June 2026. Opening-hours data verified; please confirm before your visit.
