Vila Nova de Gaia lights up 7 kilometers of lights at WOW in November; the free festival features a giant tree and video mapping through January

The south bank of the Douro will be adorned with more than 7 kilometers of lights starting November 21. WOW Porto, in Vila Nova de Gaia, is kicking off the holiday season early this year and is expanding its program and lighting displays, which will remain in place until January 6, 2027. Admission is free.

The opening ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m. in Praça Central, featuring a performance by the Crescendi Choir and circus artist Beatriz Lamelas. The evening will also include the first video mapping and multimedia animation show on the giant Christmas tree. Afterward, the audiovisual show will be repeated daily from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Santa Claus is scheduled to arrive on Saturday, December 5, at 4:30 p.m., with a parade and a stop at Santa’s area, featuring “Be a Legend.” Through December 20, he will welcome visitors at Santa’s House in the Main Hall on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (with a break from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.).

At Praça Central, the Gastronomic Market is open on weekends through January 3, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. It closes at 6:00 p.m. on December 24. There, you’ll find regional snacks, winter drinks, traditional seasonal sweets, and handicrafts—mostly from local brands. Next door, the Parisian Carousel entertains the children. In the Main Hall, the Kids Zone is open on weekends from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., between November 21 and December 27.

For those who want to extend the evening of November 21 over dinner, there are two options. The 1828 restaurant is offering a wine-paired dinner featuring Port wines, starting with a Port and Tonic and featuring beef tenderloin tartare, aged beef short ribs, and Josper-grilled entrecôte. The meal concludes with lemon meringue pie and Moscatel. It costs €68 per person; reservations can be made on the WOW website.

On that date, VP is hosting a buffet dinner featuring traditional Portuguese flavors, including flaked cod with a cornbread crust, roast pork neck, a pizza station, and desserts such as bolo-rei, French toast, and aletria. Drinks are included, and the event offers views of Porto and the Douro River. Adults pay €55, children up to 12 years old pay €27.50, and children 4 and under are free.

VP is also hosting a Christmas Family Brunch on November 22 and December 5. It costs €48 for adults and €24 for children up to age 12, and is free for children 4 and under.