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December has arrived and European countries are decorated in honor of Christmas. The streets, shops, cafes, and restaurants are decorated with colorful lights, Christmas trees, and everything looks so beautiful and gives a feeling as if we are in a fairy tale. In Portugal, too, the holiday atmosphere is felt and if you visit it during this period, you cannot miss the markets and Christmas events that are full of delicacies, mulled wine, decorations, and many other beautiful things.
Here is a list of the major Christmas events and markets throughout Portugal that you can visit during December, compiled by christmasmarketsineurope.com. Please note that some dates may vary due to the situation and the limitations of the Corona, so before arriving in Portugal, we recommend updating with the final dates. Click on the city names for more details on the event sites.
Lisbon:
Christmas Market at Alvalade
3-12 December:
The market will be held for the seventh time from 8:00 to 20:00. In the market, you will find over 40 wooden stalls with handicrafts, souvenirs, food, street performances and the traditional Santa Claus house.
Wonderland Lisbon – Eduardo VII Park
December 1 – January 2:
One of Lisbon’s largest markets taking place for the sixth time. It features 60 stalls and a Ferris wheel that rises to a height of 30 m, from which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Lisbon, an ecological surface for ice skating, a house of Santa Claus, art workshops for children. Hours of operation are 12: 00-21: 00 Monday to Thursday, 12: 00-24: 00 on Fridays, 10: 00-24: 00 on Saturdays, 10: 00-22: 00 on Sundays and public holidays.
Additional markets in Lisbon:
Praça da Fiqueira
November 25 – December 8
Rossio Mercado de Natal
November 19 – December 19
Porto:
Praça da Batalha:
1-24 December:
In the heart of the city of Porto, there is a Christmas market with more than 20 stalls, where you will find handicrafts, clothes, decorations, toys and books, as well as music performances and art workshops.
Leiria:
November 26 – January 6:
In Leira, all the main streets are lit with Christmas lights and spectacular animation and entertainment shows await you. In the city center, an ice skating park has been established, a stage for music performances, and a theater. In Rodriguez Lobo Square, the house of Santa Claus was placed next to a spinning wheel and street food.
More details on the Facebook page of Christmas events.
Penela:
December 8 – January 9:
In the castle of the city, a Christmas village has been established that recreates the story of the birth of Christ. The village was established in the city castle and is the largest in Portugal that spreads over 700 meters, with more than 700 wooden figures and three-dimensional animation, including activities, tradition, and holiday-related stories. In addition, there are street theater performances, art workshops, and of course a Christmas market and a festive and lit train.
Santa Maria da Feira:
December 1 – December 30:
The “Perlim” Park is the most special park in Portugal established in 2008. The heroes of the park are fictional characters named Perlim and Pim Pim who delight the children. The city castle is also lit during the holiday and the city center is decorated and features animated performances in the spirit of the Perlim Park characters.
Cascais:
December 6 – January 1:
Cascais will become a Christmas city and you will find a huge Christmas tree 8 meters high, a Christmas market, street food, a Ferris wheel, ice skating, almost all the shops in the city will decorate the shop windows with holiday decorations and shop owners will open stalls outside, the whole city will become a one big Christmas holiday and you will feel like you are in a legend!
Obidos:
December 2 – January 2:
After a year of hiatus due to the corona, Christmas Village returns to Obidos and the new version includes a wheel, train, large ice rink of 200 meters, and the famous Santa Claus house. In addition, children can enjoy games, make-up, tree climbing, and additional activities free of charge.
Braganza:
1 December – 6 January:
The market will also take place in Braganza for the seventh time, after a year of hiatus. You can ride the kid’s train or the wheel. You can taste the holiday food and buy local souvenirs made by hand.
Additional markets will also be held in other cities, it is recommended to keep up to date on municipal websites. We hope that visiting Portugal at one of the most beautiful times of the year will be an unforgettable experience for you!
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