Secrets Tips: The Best Guide On How To Enjoy Christmas To The Fullest In Portugal ♦ The countdown has begun for Christmas, and by this time the markets in the city are starting to multiply like slices of king cake at snack time. These are markets that sit like a glove for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of malls or even those who leave everything to the last (there are dates for late shopping thinking about the forgotten). In Porto, Lisbon, Algarve there are tons of activities you can do with your family. Today Secrets From Portugal brings to the ultimate guide on how to enjoy Christmas in Portugal, enjoy and have fun!
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CHRISTMAS MARKETS
Cascais Christmas Village
The fourth edition of Cascais Christmas Village makes Parque Marechal Carmona a true Christmas village. There are dozens of attractions for the whole family to live on the court, such as real reindeer, a live crib, a Roman camp, a Nazarene village, Santa’s house and a giant Christmas tree. But more: there is also a track and a radical ice ramp, a carousel, a train, a snow globe where kids can enter, a grocery store and a food court. In addition to all these must-see stops, Cascais Christmas Village has a busy schedule. Onstage, the service goblins promise tale hours and shows. In the goblin house, there are face paintings. And they are still promised stops and bright characters to see every day after the sun goes down.
Dream Village (Loulé, Algarve)
Dream Village, one of the main Christmas villages in the south of the country, opens its doors on December 6th. It will have a Santa Claus house, a village of elves, snowmen, carousel and inflatables, as well as plenty of food. The animation focuses on Cerca do Convento, Alcaidaria do Castelo, Largo D. Afonso III and Largo de S. Francisco. Natal village closes on December 29, but in January there will still be a giant king-cake next to the monument Eng. Duarte Pacheco.
Lisbon Wonderland
Wonderland, in Parque Eduardo VII, has already become a regular on the Christmas agenda in the city. From the Ferris wheel to the usual ice rink that gives over 100 people skating for free at the same time. For the little ones, there is a kind of Natal village and a number of activities to entertain. In addition to all these attractions, count on the usual stools with regional products, clothing, accessories and handicrafts. It is an authentic Christmas wonderland.
Christmas Capital: Christmas Fun Park
The Capital of Natal, the largest theme park in Europe dedicated to the magic of the white-bearded old man village, debuts this year in Portugal on the Algés Promenade. With over a dozen distinct areas, The Great Lake is the central element, where will be a tree with tens of meters of height and its own illumination (of those worthy of the film). There is also an ice rink, five covered snow slopes, a carousel and plenty of space for themed shows and amusements. Also noteworthy is the Expression of the Five Senses, which will provide the best way to know the four corners of the park: by train. But the most anticipated attraction is probably the Snow Guardians Palace, a geodetic dome with controlled weather conditions and nitrogen-producing snow that will allow visitors to experience negative temperatures and admire ice sculptures. Anyway, to see all this you have to pay a ticket, but beware, the Open Hearts Road, which is a Christmas market, is open.
Spot Christmas Market
There is a special weekend before the holiday season – The Spot Market returns to its usual site, Amoreiras Space. Make room in your calendar for another legion of mind-boggling clothes and accessories, dispatching last-minute gifts, or even starting the marathon that hasn’t shipped so far – if you’re the typical Portuguese who leaves everything to the last. Keep an eye on the Portuguese brands that parade there.
Penha Longa Resort Christmas Market
The Penha Longa Resort Christmas Market in Sintra excels in its difference as it happens in a 14th-century monastery – it is not every day that Christmas list gifts can be crossed out in a secular cloister. On the 7th and 8th of December, the monastery cloister is filled with gastronomic products, decoration, clothing, footwear, furniture, handicrafts, cork pieces, designer jewellery and even paintings. But it is not just about shopping that we talk about, because the organization promises activities for the whole family, including a themed movie session, cookie workshop and the possibility of writing a letter to Santa. Market entry is free – it is open between 11 am and 6 pm.
A Day at the Market
The monthly market brings together about 30 brands for babies, children, teenagers and ladies, but also bets on decoration, books, jewellery and accessories. On December 15 the Christmas edition takes place. Admission is free.
Christmas square – VILA NOVA DE GAIA
Santa Casa Games Christmas Square – in partnership with the Global Media Group and Gaia City Council – returns to the Gaia Civic Center on November 30th. Suggested activities for the whole family include the ice rink, the Ferris wheel and the service carousel. The Christmas Market with handcrafted products for sale is not lacking and video mapping shows are still promised. Admission is free and can be made between 14h and 20h, Monday to Friday; from 10 am to 10 pm on Saturdays (except November 30, which is scheduled to open at 1:30 pm); from 10 am to 4 pm on Sundays. On December 24th and 31st, the hours are open from 10 am to 4 pm, and on January 25th and 1st, from 4 pm to 8 pm.
ICE RINKS
Wonderland Lisboa
Wonderland, in Parque Eduardo VII, has already become a regular on the Christmas agenda in the city. From the Ferris wheel to the food and craft stalls, there is plenty to do in this holiday village, but one of the biggest attractions is the ice rink, which gives over 100 people free skating for 20 minutes at a time.
From A to OZ: Christmas at Alegro Alfragide
The most enchanting time of the year is getting closer and the Alegro Alfragide has prepared many surprises for the whole family. Santa opens the usual ice rink in the mall where kids, grownups and even bigeye will be able to show off their skating skills (€ 3). But it is best to be able to take your canine companions to accompany you on pirouettes and artistic jumps.
Mouzinho de Albuquerque Square
In the middle of the city, portuenses and tourists can skate at Praça de Mouzinho de Albuquerque (better known as Rotunda da Boavista) and at Praça de D. João I. The first ice rink is inserted in Praça da Fantasia and is accompanied an ice ramp, carousels, car track, train, simulator, mini-wheel and a Santa’s house.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Christmas holidays in Serralves
There is so much to do with the kids on this court. In fact, it happens mostly because of them. Through a program of ludic-pedagogical workshops, which value creativity and interpersonal coexistence, the Vacations in Serralves program aims to put young people, between 4 and 12 years old, exploring the corners of the house: the museum, the park and the fifth of the institution. Then they are the ones that make you a guided tour.
Porto Coliseum Christmas Circus
For several days and until its entry into 2020, the Colosseum hosts eight circus collectives from countries such as Russia, Canada, Tajikistan or Portugal.
Christmas at the door
In December, the Natal à Porta cycle, which features shows at the entrance of emblematic buildings in the city, returns for another edition. This year, the open-access initiative has six concerts on the agenda, which are divided between the balcony of the Clerigos Tower, the staircase of the Church of Santo Ildefonso, the Avenida dos Aliados and Gomes Teixeira Square. On Saturdays, giving it music is the responsibility of PopUp – Vozes Portable, a capella singing group that will revisit Christmas classics, while on Sundays it will be handled by the Pocket Opera Company, conducted by conductor António Sérgio Ferreira.