El Corte Inglés in Calle Preciados kicks off Christmas in Madrid with the classic Cortylandia show. The latest edition, which is held from 22 November to 5 January 2026, invites the audience on the magical "Cortylandia Express” train journey.
Cortylandia is a unique musical show, full of light, colour and happiness, in which more than 25 characters embark on an adventure in which dreams come true. Climb aboard the most magical train of the year and discover that anything is possible when Christmas is here.
In the middle of winter and surrounded by fog, an elegant train station shines brightly and everything seems to have a Christmas aura. The snowflakes fall slowly, settling gently on the crimson roofs. On the platform, puffing out small clouds of steam, the majestic locomotive of the express train of dreams quietly waits. It is about to depart but does not want to leave anyone behind! With the invaluable help of Bear the stationmaster and Wolf the driver, they notify all the passengers, who are running along the platforms in nervous and excited anticipation before boarding the train.
Singing Christmas carols under the golden light of the lanterns and a sweet aroma of hot chocolate, one by one they board the train to embark on a journey that nobody will ever forget, the great Christmas journey.
A tradition spanning almost 50 years
The creation of this show is a year-long process that begins with the design of the model and ends with the assembly. First of all, a sketch is drawn up of the selected idea. In August, work begins on modelling the characters and studying their movements and articulations, as well as the lights. In the final months, all that remains is the assembly and transport of the puppets and scaffolding, as well as the rehearsals. In this way, the story gradually takes shape until it becomes a real animated tale that grasps the attention of both children and adults every year.
Cortylandia began in 1979 and was only interrupted in 2020 due to the pandemic, although the façade was decorated in 2020 and a Christmas story was projected on the screen. Since its origins, different scenarios have been designed each year, inspired by the tastes of small children, and new installations have been created and rotated around various El Corte Inglés stores throughout Spain.
It was in 1979 that the first Cortylandia was set up in the department store in Calle Preciados. A real train engine from the Parque de Atracciones in Madrid was used for this purpose. The idea arose from the El Corte Inglés artistic creation department with the extension of the Preciados building. In order to publicise the new space, it was decided to set up a point to attract children and adults alike, reminiscent of the attractions at Disney World but on a much smaller scale.
The show has become a Christmas tradition for all the family in this festive season, and the song that animates the show is now part of children's imagination.
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