Christmas in Portugal: Markets, Lights and Traditions

Christmas in Portugal is cosy, family-centred and full of food: twinkling streets, Christmas villages, salt cod on Christmas Eve and Bolo Rei on every table. It’s also a wonderful, quiet time to visit, with mild weather in the south and festive cities without the summer crowds. Here’s where to find the best Christmas markets and lights, and the traditions to know.

Quick answer: the big Christmas events are Óbidos Vila Natal (late November to early January), Wonderland Lisboa in Parque Eduardo VII, Perlim near Porto, the lights of Lisbon, Porto and Funchal, and New Year’s Eve fireworks in Lisbon and Madeira. Dates are usually announced in October or November, so check before you book.

Christmas villages and markets

Óbidos Vila Natal

The medieval walled town turns into a Christmas village, with an ice rink, rides, Santa’s house and shows for kids. It usually runs from late November to early January (in 2025/26, 28 November to 4 January). Busy at weekends, so go on a weekday. See our Óbidos guide.

Wonderland Lisboa

Lisbon’s big Christmas fair in Parque Eduardo VII, at the top of Avenida da Liberdade, with a Ferris wheel, an ice rink, market stalls and food. Free to enter, and you pay per ride. It usually runs from late November to the start of January.

Perlim (Santa Maria da Feira)

A magical Christmas theme park in the grounds of a castle about 30 minutes south of Porto, with elves, shows and Santa. Perfect for young children. In 2025 it ran from 29 November to 30 December, with day tickets around €7–9.

Porto

The lights are switched on at the end of November on Avenida dos Aliados, with a projection show on the City Hall. The Christmas market is usually in the Jardim da Cordoaria.

Funchal, Madeira

Funchal goes all out, with lights across the city from early December into January and a festive market atmosphere. Madeira’s New Year’s Eve fireworks once set a Guinness World Record as the largest display ever. See our things to do in Funchal.

Lights in Lisbon

A giant Christmas tree goes up on Praça do Comércio (in 2025 it was 30 metres tall with 54,000 lights), and the streets of Baixa, Chiado and Avenida da Liberdade are lit from late November, typically from about 5:30pm until 11pm (midnight on Fridays and Saturdays). A tram or tuk-tuk ride through the lights is lovely. See Lisbon tuk-tuk tours.

Portuguese Christmas traditions

• Consoada (24 December): the main celebration is Christmas Eve, with a family dinner of boiled salt cod (bacalhau), potatoes, cabbage and eggs, drizzled with olive oil.
• Missa do Galo: midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
• Bolo Rei: the “King Cake”, a ring of sweet bread with candied fruit and nuts, eaten from late November to early January.
• Christmas sweets: filhós and sonhos (fried doughs), rabanadas (Portuguese French toast) and aletria (sweet vermicelli).
• Presépios: nativity scenes are everywhere, some huge and elaborate.
• Presents are usually opened at midnight on Christmas Eve or on Christmas morning.

Learn more in what to eat in Portugal.

New Year’s Eve

• Lisbon: a free concert on Praça do Comércio and fireworks over the Tagus at midnight.
• Porto: a big party and fireworks on Avenida dos Aliados.
• Madeira: spectacular fireworks over Funchal bay, best seen from the hills or a boat. Book hotels months ahead.
• Tradition: eat 12 raisins at midnight, making a wish with each one, and stand on a chair (to “rise” in the new year).

Practical tips

• What’s closed: many museums, shops and restaurants close on 25 December and 1 January, and close early on the 24th and 31st. Book Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals in advance.
• Public transport runs reduced services on the holidays.
• Weather: mild in Lisbon and the Algarve (often 12–17°C), colder and wetter in the north. See Portugal in winter.
• Prices: Christmas and New Year are peak weeks in Lisbon, Porto and Madeira, so book early.

Rainy days? See Lisbon on a rainy day. Travelling with children? See Portugal with kids.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.