If you’re visiting Madrid this winter, you shouldn’t miss Naturaleza Encendida, a lovely lights show at the Royal Botanical Garden.
The show takes place every year for Christmas, since 2019. The theme changes each year and this time the exhibition is called Explorium and it is inspired by the ocean. Immerse yourself in a garden filled with sea creatures, colorful lights, stunning installations, and music.
Enter the fairytale realm
From the moment you step foot inside the botanical garden, you’ll find yourself catapulted into a fairytale realm. You’ll soon understand how fit the name Naturaleza Encendida is. Nature is truly “turned on” (encendida), with fairy lights on virtually every leaf, branch, or flower. I am a sucker for bright lights and colors so as soon as I found myself in this magical place I felt like a kid. Little pathways will guide you through the labyrinth, each area prettier than the last one.
Since the theme is the ocean, you’ll find sea creatures popping out from the ground or hanging from the trees. Seahorses, jellyfish, blowfish, sea turtles, and a giant octopus populate the garden sprinkled with a total of 15 kilometers of led lights.
Prepare to be amazed by ocean creatures
I won’t spoil the surprise but make sure to take your sweet time to explore every little angle of this little paradise. Now and then, you’ll come across a “point of no return” which means you won’t be able to go back to the previous part of the garden. If you ask me, that sounds a bit harsh, and it made me feel anxious. FOMO is real! But you know, social distancing rules.
There are a few stops you definitely shouldn’t miss, so look for them. One is close to the big red sculpture representing a ship, where a virtual river flows endlessly, populated by turtles, sea stars, and fish.
The other place you shouldn’t miss is a square opening where the lights simulate dancing waves over your head, making you feel like you’re underwater. At some point, the straight lines coming from different angles formed a sort of grid. I won’t lie, that gave me strong Resident Evil vibes for a moment there, if you know what I mean.
Finally, and this one is impossible to miss, there’s a huge octopus emerging from the fountain in front of the pavilion. The huge tentacles of the creature change colors to the rhythm of the music. Did anyone say Kraken?
A few tips for your visit to Naturaleza Encendida lights show
Buy your tickets online for faster access. You can find different ticket options on the official website. Make sure to buy them in advance as they tend to sell out pretty fast. The show is on until the 16th of January, 2022.
Finally, a few tips so you won’t make my mistake and nearly freeze or lose the use of your hands (gotta take those pictures, though). You’ll be surrounded by plants which means you should expect high humidity. If it happens to be a cold evening, as it was for me, you’ll feel it even more in the garden. Go prepared with a winter jacket and possibly a pair of gloves if you don’t want your fingers to freeze on your camera or phone.
There’s a hot chocolate cart if you want to warm up a little as you’re walking through the garden. You’ll find it right by the “Kraken”, under the jellyfish (unless they move the cart around). When buying your ticket, you can also select the one that includes hot chocolate.
So get your camera ready and get in the mood for some fairy lights, marine creatures, and music. Enjoy the lights show!
P.S. Apart from Madrid, Naturaleza Encendida is on also in Barcelona and Valencia. Find more details on the website.
