There is something special about November. Christmas lights begin to appear across the streets, shop windows get ready for the festive season and, before we know it, one of the most anticipated dates for bargain hunters arrives: Black Friday.
It is the perfect time to get a head start on Christmas shopping, discover new experiences and, why not, treat yourself to something special. Because not everything worth buying has to fit inside a shopping bag. Sometimes, the best gifts are the moments we share.
In Madrid, Black Friday is also a great opportunity to discover something different, enjoy the city and find exciting activities to experience with family, friends or your partner. And this year, at the Museum of Illusions Madrid, we have decided to give this celebration our own special colour. Get ready for Yellow Week!
What is Black Friday and where does it come from?
Black Friday is traditionally known as a major shopping event featuring special offers and discounts. It takes place on the Friday following Thanksgiving Day in the United States and marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Over the years, it has become one of the biggest shopping events of the year.
Although there are several theories about the origin of its name, one of the best-documented explanations traces its popularity back to Philadelphia during the 1950s and 1960s. Police officers used the expression Black Friday to describe the heavy traffic, large crowds and chaos that took place in the city on the day after Thanksgiving.
Over time, retailers gave the term a more positive meaning. It became associated with the moment businesses moved from being financially in the red to being in the black, thanks to the increase in sales and profits during this period.
And that is how Black Friday evolved into the shopping event we know today: a time to enjoy special offers, discover great opportunities and get ready for Christmas.
How did Black Friday become popular in Spain?
For many years, Black Friday was mainly an American tradition. However, with the growth of online shopping and the international expansion of major retailers, the event gradually spread to other countries.
In Spain, Black Friday began gaining attention around 2012, when some major retail chains introduced the concept. In the following years, more businesses joined the trend and, particularly from 2015 onwards, it became firmly established among Spanish consumers.
What started as a single day of discounts has evolved into a full week of opportunities. Today, Black Friday is no longer limited to technology, fashion or homeware. Travel, leisure, entertainment and experience-based businesses also take part.
After all, we are always looking for new ways to enjoy our free time and discover exciting experiences without missing out on a great offer.
Yellow Week: Black Friday gets a touch of magic in Madrid
At the Museum of Illusions Madrid, we like doing things our own way. That is why, once a year, we transform traditional Black Friday into something much more personal: Yellow Week!
Yellow is one of the colours that represents us, so it felt like the perfect way to add our own personality to one of the most exciting shopping periods of the year.
But why settle for just one Friday when you can enjoy a whole week?
From 23 to 27 November, the Museum of Illusions Madrid joins the Black Friday celebrations with special discounts on tickets, giving even more people the chance to discover a place where nothing is quite as it seems.
It is the perfect opportunity to plan a visit, surprise someone special or enjoy a different kind of experience right in the heart of Madrid.
And remember: Yellow Week is a special promotion that takes place just once a year. One week to fill Madrid with a little more wonder!
A unique thing to do in Madrid with family, friends or your partner
If you are looking for unique things to do in Madrid, the Museum of Illusions offers an experience unlike anything you are used to.
Here, you do not just look around. You get involved, experiment, play with your perception and discover just how easily your own eyes can trick you.
Our interactive museum brings together optical illusions, surprising installations, logic games and immersive experiences that challenge your senses and spark curiosity in visitors of all ages.
Try to keep your balance in the Tilted Room, discover how your perception changes in the Reversed Room or walk through the Vortex Tunnel while everything around you seems to spin.
And, of course, there are plenty of photo opportunities! One of the most entertaining parts of the visit is finding that impossible angle that will leave your friends and family wondering how you managed to take such a picture.
What to do in Madrid with kids: a museum where learning becomes play
If you are looking for things to do in Madrid with kids, the Museum of Illusions is a fantastic way to enjoy a fun activity together while encouraging children's curiosity.
Through visual games, optical illusions and interactive experiences, younger visitors can discover fascinating concepts related to science, light, shapes and perception in an entertaining way.
And the best part? Adults get involved too. It is quite common to hear someone say they have figured out how an illusion works, only to be surprised all over again a few seconds later.
Things to do with friends in Madrid: an experience that goes beyond taking photos
Looking for something different to do with your friends? The museum is also the perfect place to break away from your usual routine, challenge your perception and see who can solve each illusion first.
Compare your photos, put your logic to the test and get ready to debate what you are actually seeing. Because when everyone perceives something differently, even a simple visit can turn into a hilarious challenge.
It is one of those things to do with friends in Madrid that guarantees plenty of laughs and memories that last long after you leave.
This Black Friday, treat yourself to a different kind of experience
Some discounts only last a few days, but the experiences we share stay with us for much longer.
Yellow Week at the Museum of Illusions Madrid is our way of celebrating Black Friday: an opportunity to discover a unique museum, enjoy an original activity and share a special moment with the people who matter most.
So, if you have been wondering what to do in Madrid in November, this could be the perfect opportunity to plan your next visit.
Save the dates: 23 to 27 November.
Once a year, Black Friday turns yellow. And at the Museum of Illusions, fun is never quite what it seems!