In the blink of an eye, we’re almost at the end of the year. However, there’s plenty to do in December in and around Porto… And no, our suggestions aren’t just for Christmas.
From concerts to themed events, not to mention exhibitions and immersive experiences, there’s something for everyone. So take a look and write down your favorites!
Table Of Contents
- Explore The Champions Burger
- Attend immersive concerts at the Clérigos Church
- Enjoying the Christmas lights
- Taking the family to musicals
- Feel the magic of a Candlelight concert
- Going to the Christmas Circus
- Visit the Wild Lights
- Immerse yourself in the illuminated world of "Ballet of Lights"
- Enjoy a dinner show
- Celebrate New Year's Eve
Explore The Champions Burger
We already know that December is synonymous with the Christmas season. However, there’s plenty of variety to explore in Porto’s events calendar, such as The Champions Burger.
After visiting more than 50 cities in Spain, the final of Europe’s biggest gourmet burger festival is making its debut in Portugal, specifically at the Queimódromo do Porto, in Parque da Cidade.
From November 27 to December 21, more than 20 food trucks and a variety of flavors promise to bring a lot of people to The Champions Burger, where you can still vote for the “Best Smash Burger” of all.
Each burger has a fixed price of €12.95 and entertainment is guaranteed, in an event for all the family, which also features two Portuguese representatives in the competition: Street Mash and Mimo’s Smoke House.
📍Location: Queimódromo do Porto.
Dates: November 27 (doors open that day at 6pm) to December 21.
🎫Entrance: free.
Attend immersive concerts at the Clérigos Church
The Immersive Clérigos Concert – Spiritus Natalis Christmas cycle returns to the Clérigos Church with six exclusive sessions that combine live music, history and technology, through 360º projections and surprising video mapping effects.
For 45 minutes, classics such as “Adeste Fidelis”, “The First Noel” and “Noite Feliz” are revisited by a luxury cast, with soprano, tenor, violin and pipe organ embodying this sensory journey.
Music, art and moving light transform the interior of the church into an immersive stage, perfect for experiencing the spirit of Christmas in a unique way. With seating limited to 120 people per session, the concerts take place at 9pm and tickets cost 23€.
.📍 Location: Clérigos Church, Porto.
🗓️ Dates: December 4 , 11, 18, 26 and 27, 2025, and January 2, 2026, at 9pm.
Tickets : at Fever.
Enjoying the Christmas lights
The official inauguration of the lights in Porto took place on November 29, with a special concert by Mariza and a video mapping show.
So take advantage of the Christmas magic already being felt throughout the city and enjoy the typical decorations of the season, try out the ice rink and take lots of photos of the more than 90 illuminated streets.
📍Avenida dos Aliados
📅 From November 29 until January 6, 2026
🎫Free access
Taking the family to musicals
The Christmas season is ripe for musicals… and Porto is no exception. So take advantage of this month to see some of the shows on stage in and around the city, such as:
- The Little Mermaid on Ice, at the AM Arena, in Mar Shopping Matosinhos
- Garfield – A Musical with Gatitude, at the Super Bock Arena, on December 13, at 3:30 p.m.
- They stole Christmas! The Musical, at Teatro Sá da Bandeira, from December 1 to 8, at different times
Feel the magic of a Candlelight concert
A string quartet performs recognizable Christmas themes, creating an intimate atmosphere that transports everyone into the Christmas spirit, all while the Palácio da Bolsa is transformed into a magical setting under the glow of candles.
This event is a unique opportunity to celebrate the season in a memorable way with live music.
📍 Location: Palácio da Bolsa, Rua de Ferreira Borges.
🗓️ Dates: December 19 and 20, at 19:30.
🎫 Tickets: on the Fever platform.
Going to the Christmas Circus
The Coliseu Christmas Circus has been an uninterrupted tradition on Porto’s cultural agenda since 1941. This year, the event returns for another great edition, from December 12 to January 4, 2026, with an original story and artists from all over the world.
The narrative written by Marta Pais Oliveira, winner of the Agustina Bessa-Luís Revelation Prize, celebrates the mythical figure of the Circus Presenter , in a show full of emotions and circus performances to the rhythm of original music by Bruno Pernadas .
📍 Location: Rua de Passos Manuel, 137.
🗓️ Dates: December 12 to January 4, 2026.
Tickets: on sale at the usual venues, between €10 and €20
Visit the Wild Lights
At the Santo Inácio Zoo in Vila Nova de Gaia, the 4th edition of the immersive exhibition “Wild Lights” returns , with a nocturnal route of over a kilometer filled with illuminated figures of animals and plants.
From November 1 to February 28, the largest zoo in the North will host more than 600 illuminated figures, including penguins, lions, giraffes and, for the first time, dinosaurs. This luminous and Instagrammable experience also includes the House of the Nocturnal Animals, the Tropical World, interactive games and luminous swings for the whole family.
📍 Location: Zoo Santo Inácio, Vila Nova de Gaia (Greater Porto).
🗓️ Dates: From November 1 to February 28, on weekends, vacations and school vacations, from 16:30 to 20:30.
Tickets: can be purchased online on the Zoo Santo Inácio website.
Immerse yourself in the illuminated world of “Ballet of Lights”
Immerse yourself in a modern fairytale with the mesmerizing Ballet of Lights inspired by “Sleeping Beauty”, where dancers in fiber optic light costumes create a magical scene on stage.
The show reinvents Tchaikovsky’s classic with graceful movements, glow-in-the-dark effects and an immersive soundtrack, ideal for both ballet fans and those just discovering the art.
For around 60 minutes, tradition and technology intersect in an immersive show that transforms the story of Princess Aurora into an unforgettable experience for all ages.
📍 Location: Francisco de Assis Auditorium, Porto.
🗓️ Dates: December 4, with sessions at 19:30 and 21:30.
Tickets:available online
Enjoy a dinner show
Considered one of the coolest venues in the city, the MXM Art Center is promoting the “Fun & Dinner” event on December 6, starting at 9pm, with lots of entertainment and surprises in store.
Designed with groups in mind, but also for those who want to experience the season in a different way, this dinner show features a performance by Tributo Boys Band, a singer and dancers.
Between pop themes and a DJ who promises to keep the festive spirit going, “Fun & Dinner” combines music, dancing and, of course, lots of fun, without forgetting good food with a set menu that includes a starter, main course, dessert and drinks.
📍 Location: Rua do Ouro 264, Porto.
🗓️ Dates: December 6, at 9pm.
Tickets : On sale for 50€.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve
December is synonymous with lots of parties and entertainment, with New Year’s Eve being one of the most eagerly awaited moments.
If you’re planning to stay in town, then you’ll have to wait for our article, where you’ll find some party tips for the last night of 2025!
Editor’s note: this article will be updated frequently with new plans and activities as and when appropriate!