Although December and Christmas Eve are still some time away, to avoid the usual hustle and bustle, how about starting to plan for the festive season? This year at Christmas in Porto and the surrounding area, there’s no shortage of events to celebrate to the full.
There are options for everyone, whether you love sweets, markets or different cultural programs. So we’ve put it all together in a handy list, so you know how and where to experience Christmas in Porto and beyond.
Table Of Contents
- See 94 illuminated streets and a 30-meter tree
- Candlelight: Christmas special with the Nutcracker and more
- Porto Christmas Market returns with magic and tradition
- Watching the best family movies
- Devour Porto's most typical king cakes
- Buy original gifts
- Choosing the best cod recipe
- Warm your body and soul with hot chocolate
- Stroll through one of the biggest theme parks in Natal
See 94 illuminated streets and a 30-meter tree
Christmas in Porto in 2024 will be a spectacle of lights and decorations, with 94 illuminated streets and a 30-meter Christmas tree on Avenida dos Aliados.
This year, the city will see a significant increase in the number of lights, from 846 to 876.
The official switching on of the lights is scheduled for December 1st, between 5:30pm and 6pm, promising a magical event for locals and tourists alike.
Candlelight: Christmas special with the Nutcracker and more
The Candlelight concerts, an original Fever, continue to conquer Porto and various cities in Portugal, always with a capacity for reinvention.
To celebrate Christmas, there’s a (very) special Candlelight show with “The Nutcracker” and more… and the venue couldn’t be more appropriate: the Igreja da Santíssima Trindade.
📍 Location: Igreja da Santíssima Trindade, Rua da Trindade, 115
🗓️ Date: December 20, at 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Porto Christmas Market returns with magic and tradition
Porto’s Christmas Market will once again enchant in Jardim João Chagas, from November 30 to December 23.
This much-anticipated event will feature a variety of regional products and handicrafts. The timetables have already been released, guaranteeing a magical experience for all visitors.
📍 Location: Jardim João Chagas, better known as Jardim da Cordoaria
🗓️ Dates: November 30th to December 23rd
Watching the best family movies
Spending time with the family is one of the best things about Christmas. So forget the cold outside, wrap up in your blankets and get ready to watch the best movies with your loved ones.
From comedies to classics, not forgetting a romance or two, in our list you’ll find several suggestions, all available on the Netflix streaming platform.
Devour Porto’s most typical king cakes
No Christmas Eve is complete without a king cake on the table, right?
So take a look at our list of some of Porto’s most typical king cakes. And remember to order in advance!
Buy original gifts
Already thinking about Christmas presents? Then you can always take a look at our list of stores with original and different gifts.
Vinyl records, toys, products <shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” 0=”link_url=”https://portosecreto.co/lojas-segunda-mao-porto/”<strong>”>vintage, jewelry, or even fragrances, Porto’s local shops offer so many options that it was impossible to include everything in one guide.
Choosing the best cod recipe
Cod is the king of Portuguese gastronomy and takes on an even more important role at Christmas time.
If you’re not in the mood for traditional boiled cod, you can always opt for other dishes. Boiled, baked, with cream, or à Brás, choose your favorite now so you don’t end up in ‘cod waters’.
Warm your body and soul with hot chocolate
The festive season in Porto is usually marked by rainy days. Fortunately, there is no shortage of places in the city where you can find warmth and a good hot chocolate.
From Arcádia da Boavista to Chocolataria Equador, not forgetting Leitaria da Quinta do Paço, you name it.
Stroll through one of the biggest theme parks in Natal
This next suggestion isn’t exactly in Porto, but it’s worth it and it’s less than a 30-minute drive from Invicta. In Santa Maria da Feira you’ll find none other than one of Portugal’s biggest theme parks – Perlim.
This year, the imaginary world of Perlim is arriving early, opening its doors to the public on November 23 and running until January 5, 2025. There you’ll find a Christmas Market, a circus and even an ice rink for the bravest.