Christmas is time for... fireworks? and... costumes?

Okay, so this picture is definitely an exaggeration, but is what it sounds like right now outside of my apartment. I actually thought it might knock off one of my window boxes it was so loud and so close.

The reason for all the commotion is of course... CHRISTMAS! Close to my apartment there is a restaurant that is apparently the happening place to go out with friends or co-workers for a Christmas dinner. The night is then of course not over until a few fireworks are shot off, Feliz Año is shouted, and most likely there are a few more stops afterward. It is somewhat humorous to me, as there are often costumes, wigs, maybe even masks accompanying the fireworks and joyous celebration.

Technically, all of this is for the 28th of December, which is the Día de los Innocentes (or the equivalent of April Fools' Day, although technically it is to honor the innocent children that were martyred, if I have my history right, by the Moors back in the day) but in Madrid it is all of December.

So when you go to the many Christmas markets around town, you can pick up some gifts, some figurines for the Nativity Scene, or more correctly your display of the entire town of Bethlehem (generally they include Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the animals, shepherds, wise men, functioning windmills, a man making bread, running water, a guy pooping (who is about as essential as Mary, Joseph and Jesus), and a myriad of other adornments) AND tinsel hair of varying colors, colored wigs, masks (both scary and famous people), silly string, firecrackers, incense, and a Christmas tree.