Today, the President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, inaugurated Christmas "with light and joy” in Sol, a series of free activities "with light and joy" aimed at the whole family and which, as a new feature this year, includes The Christmas Canal, an immersive experience organised by Canal de Isabel II to raise awareness of the importance of water and its correct use at this time of year. 

The head of the regional government highlighted this "journey full of secrets and surprises" that serves to commemorate the fact that, for 175 years, Canal de Isabel II "has made Madrid's water one of the best in the world and one of the greatest treasures of all the people of Madrid". 

On entering the Real Casa de Postas, visitors will be met by very special guides who will accompany them on a sensory tour of the different themed spaces representing its three states: solid, liquid and gas. In each of the rooms, children will have to pass simple tests, make their wishes and learn how to protect this natural resource. At the end, all of them will receive an illustrated manual with practical tips, hobbies, interesting facts and daily habits about its use as a gift. 

This activity will be open to the public until 5 January from 10 am to 10 pm, except on 24 and 31 December and 5 January, which will be until 4 pm. It will also be closed on 25 December and 1 and 6 January. 

The President also visited the traditional Wishing Forest, which, as she emphasised, "is now a permanent part of Christmas in Sol", and which this year is being installed outside for the first time, in the Plaza de Pontejos, in collaboration with Metro de Madrid. The people of Madrid will be able to leave their messages on the 12 fir trees, which will be distributed throughout the site, each one illuminated in the colour of a different underground line. "They tell us about those wishes that come true. Especially when they come from the heart and are good," she added. 

During the tour, several magical forest rangers will entertain and accompany visitors, creating an atmosphere full of excitement, especially for the little ones. This space will be open from 4 December to 6 January, from 10 am to 10 pm, with special openings on the 24th, 31st and 5th (until 6 pm) and on 6 January (from 4 pm to 10 pm). It will be closed on 25 December and 1 January. 

This initiative is in addition to those that Metro de Madrid implements at this time of year, such as the traditional Christmas Train, which this year runs on Line 3 until 6 January. Father Christmas and his elves will travel on it on Fridays and weekends, as well as on 22, 23 and 24 December. From 26 December to 5 January, the pages of Their Majesties the Three Kings will accompany the users. 

In addition, the underground's museums are also taking part in this special programme. The Museo de los Caños del Peral located in the Ópera station will exhibit a Nativity Scene designed by the Association of Nativity Scene Makers and will host a Christmas concert on 19 December. On the other hand, the Nave de Motores houses the Metro Cómic exhibition, which explores the relationship between comics and urban transport, while the Chamartín Museum offers the Historical Simulator, a 3D digital experience that recreates the first trains and stations of the Alfonso XIII Metropolitan. 

Also in the Plaza de Pontejos is the Casita Solidaria, a Christmas market which, according to Díaz Ayuso, "is growing more and more", and for the third consecutive year and until 4 January, will exhibit thousands of articles handmade by different social organisations. In most cases, these pieces have been created by the people who attend their centres, who are also the beneficiaries of this initiative. 

Participating organisations include the ADELA, Juegaterapia and Prodis Foundations, the Spanish Association Against Cancer and the Agency for the Reeducation and Reintegration of Minor Offenders (Agencia para la Reeducación y Reinserción del Menor Infractor, ARRMI). La Casita Solidaria will be open from today from 10 am to 10 pm, except on 25 and 31 December and 1 January, when it will be closed. 

The Real Casa de Correos also hosts its emblematic Nativity Scene, which this year enables visitors to immerse themselves not only into the Nativity, but also into the transcendent Flight into Egypt, one of the least represented episodes of the Holy Family, all enveloped under a starry sky represented by 60,000 LED bulbs. In its first weekend, this spectacular show registered more than 10,000 visits. 

Over an area of 132 square metres, the viewer encounters impressive reproductions of the temples of Debod and Abu Simbel, the majestic River Nile, the Great Sphinx of Giza and its pyramids, as well as a river port inspired by the Egyptian city of Assiut. The composition, the work of the Association of Nativity Scene Makers and its 66 volunteers, is made up of more than 500 figures by important and outstanding sculptors of this art, such as José Luis Mayo, Jesús Ramírez Turpin and Montserrat Ribes. 

Also, for the first time, it is presented as a 360º immersive experience, which visitors can visit completely to discover in detail each of the pieces and scenes that make it up and that integrate 19 specifically created constructions, another 15 adapted ones and 22 models of Egyptian ships. 

There will also be Christmas carols in Sol, with more than 300 free performances by over 250 choirs and groups from the region. This year, 3,200 schoolchildren from 65 choirs from primary and special schools, secondary schools and integrated music centres are taking part, as well as members of 16 conservatories and several schools. 

Throughout the programme, this space will host chamber pieces, a Big Band, a flamenco zambomba, a dramatised concert and a gospel choir, among other proposals. 

This year, the Community of Madrid is also inaugurating an unprecedented visual spectacle that will completely transform the façade of the Real Casa de Correos into the magical Fábrica de los Deseos, turning this historic building in Puerta del Sol into a gigantic Christmas stage thanks to a large-format videomapping that, for the first time, will completely cover its surface with light, colour and music.