9 de December, 2025
The Christmas season in Portugal is one of the most magical times of the year, with a rich program of events from north to south. As December approaches, Portuguese cities begin to shine: illuminated streets, aromas of spices in the air, stalls with local handicrafts, and traditional sweets made from century-old recipes. Portuguese Christmas markets stand out for their authenticity — from cork to sustainable crafts, from typical treats to activities for the whole family. Some fairs offer musical attractions, carousels, Ferris wheels, train rides, workshops, and playful experiences for children. It is a world where there is a bit of everything, making the Christmas experience unforgettable for everyone.
Discover below the major festive events and Christmas markets in Portugal! Find out where to visit them and explore what each has to offer!
Also, check out our article on where to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Porto.
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You can also check out the official Christmas program in Porto.
The traditional Cordoaria Christmas Market returns to illuminate the heart of the city, bringing together dozens of exhibitors with local crafts, jewelry, toys, clothing, regional products, and themed gifts. The cultural program includes workshops for children, theater, music, dance, circus, and roaming entertainment. The space maintains its well-known urban scenography, featuring artistic Christmas trees created by various Portuguese talents.
The big novelty this year is that the Market runs until December 30, allowing visitors to enjoy the Christmas spirit even after the holiday. Meanwhile, the ice rink and the Parisian Carousel remain set up at Largo do Amor de Perdição, just a few meters away — both free of charge.
📅 From November 29 to December 30, 2025.
▪ Monday to Thursday: 11:00–20:00
▪ Fridays and holiday eves: 11:00–21:00
▪ Saturdays: 10:00–21:00
▪ Sundays and holidays: 10:00–20:00
📍 Jardim João Chagas (Jardim da Cordoaria) – Porto
The gardens of the Serralves Foundation once again host one of the city’s most elegant markets, featuring more than 50 exhibitors with contemporary crafts, organic foods, creative products, and sustainable proposals. There are also workshops, shows, performances, and activities for the whole family. Admission is free — and the space is always an excellent opportunity to explore the park and museum.
📅 December 6, 7 and 8, 2025, from 10:00 to 19:00
📍 Serralves Park – Porto
Praça da Batalha once again hosts the Christmas Market, with dozens of stands from local producers and artisans. Among nativity scenes, wooden pieces, toys, clothing, traditional sweets, and themed gifts, the setting comes to life with the presence of Santa Claus, ready for photos with children.
📅 From November 28 to December 31, 2025
▪ Sunday to Thursday: 10:00–20:00
▪ Fridays and Saturdays: 10:00–21:00
📍 Praça da Batalha – Porto
In the Gardens of the Crystal Palace, Avenida das Tílias becomes one of the city’s most charming markets, with a focus on design, artisanal creations, exclusive pieces, and local gastronomy. In addition to the stalls, there are paid workshops and a musical schedule featuring choirs, bands, and instrumental groups.
📅 From November 29 to December 29, free entry.
📍 Gardens of the Palácio de Cristal, Porto.
The World of Wine, in Vila Nova de Gaia, promises once again a vibrant and family-friendly Christmas, with a 13-meter tree, carousel, Santa Claus, music, children’s activities, gastronomic areas, and themed experiences in the complex’s museums. It is an ideal destination for those who want to combine shopping, culture, and entertainment in one place.
📅 From November 23, 2025 to January 6, 2026
📍 WOW – Vila Nova de Gaia.
The Urban Market Exmas Edition brings together Portuguese designers, artisans, illustrators, and creators. The curation highlights independent brands, sustainable pieces, signature jewelry, home décor, wellness products, and children’s items, in addition to musical performances and special activities.
📅 Held from December 11 to 23, from 10:00 to 20:00.
📍 Bolhão Market
In Praça Basílio Teles, near the municipal library, the charming wooden stalls of the traditional Matosinhos Christmas Market rise above red carpets. With the participation of more than 80 artisans this year, the event offers a wide variety of products and crafts: from books, fashion, and jewelry to cheeses, cured meats, chocolates, and much more. Free entry.
📅 From November 28 to December 23, 2025
▪ Sunday to Wednesday: 11:00–19:30
▪ Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and holiday eves: 12:00–23:00
📍 Parque Basílio Teles, Matosinhos.
The largest Christmas event in Portugal takes place in Santa Maria da Feira, just 30 minutes from Porto. Perlim is a theme park that offers an immersive experience filled with activities and shows for the whole family. With magical settings, impeccable decoration, and a warm, family-friendly atmosphere, Perlim is an unmissable destination during the Christmas season. From theatrical performances to interactive activities, the event offers a deep dive into the magic of this festive time, ensuring unforgettable moments for children and adults.
📅 From November 28 to December 30, with individual and family tickets starting at €7.00 (free entry only up to 2 years old).
📍 Santa Maria da Feira
The city of Águeda transforms into an enchanted setting during the Christmas season with the event “Águeda é Natal,” running until January 12 and offering a wide range of attractions for all ages. Two major highlights are the World’s Largest and Smallest Santa Claus: the former, an impressive 21-meter-tall structure illuminated by over 250,000 LED lights, located in Largo 1.º de Maio, and the latter, a nano-structure by artist Willard Wigan, available for viewing at the Águeda Tourism Office. The Alta Vila Park becomes an enchanted park with special lighting. At the Christmas Market, visitors can enjoy gastronomic delights, a craft fair, carousels, and other amusements. Don’t miss (and be sure to photograph) the Xmas Sky, a street covered with illuminated umbrellas.
📅 The market is open until January 11.
Tuesday to Friday: 10 AM–1 PM and 2:30 PM–8 PM.
Saturdays and Sundays: 10 AM–8 PM.
📍 Parking lot of the Águeda Municipal Hall
Check out below how the inauguration of Águeda’s Christmas lights unfolded in 2024:
Braga é Natal has already become a tradition, taking place on Braga’s Avenida Central. Its purpose is to promote and showcase artisans, booksellers, artists, and local producers, while also dedicating space to the typical flavors of the Christmas season. See the full program.
“The Christmas Market aims to highlight the traditional Christmas flavors of the region, of Portugal, and from around the world, namely gastronomy and confectionery, hot drinks, and agri-food products such as biscuits, chocolate, honey, dried or dehydrated fruits, among others. From books to toys, textiles to illustration, floral arrangements to Christmas decorations and nativity scenes, the objective is for this market to preserve the spirit of the season, with both urban and traditional crafts,” says the municipality’s statement.
📅 From November 29 to January 11, free entry.
📍 Avenida Central de Braga
Considered by many one of the best Christmas markets in Portugal, Wonderland Lisboa returns to Parque Eduardo VII, offering a wide variety of attractions for the festive season. Ice-skating rink, Ferris wheel, artisanal products, children’s activities, character parade (Christmas parade), traditional gastronomy, and much more!
📅 From December 1 to January 1, 2026, with free entry.
📍 Parque Eduardo VII, Lisbon
Wonderland Lisboa 2025 Schedule:
The Campo Pequeno Christmas Market The Campo Pequeno Christmas Market in Lisbon is an unmissable annual tradition, with more than a decade of history.
📅 This year, it takes place in two major editions:
Daily tickets cost €2, with a €1 discount voucher applicable to purchases over €10. Children up to 10 years old, accompanied by an adult, enter for free.
📍 Campo Pequeno, Avenidas Novas, Lisbon.
The enchanting Rossio Christmas Market returns to Praça Dom Pedro IV, offering a magical experience for the whole family, with free shows, a parade featuring Santa Claus, circus artists, mascots, and Christmas characters. With a cozy and festive atmosphere, the market features around 70 stalls showcasing a wide variety of artisanal products and traditional holiday treats.
In addition to musical performances by various groups and artists throughout November and December, the market maintains iconic attractions for all ages, such as the Christmas train (free), handicrafts, seasonal delicacies, and traditional stalls.
📅 From November 14 to December 21, open to the public.
📍 Praça Dom Pedro IV, Lisbon.
In the middle of the medieval walled town of Óbidos, just one hour from Lisbon, one of the most fascinating Christmas markets in Portugal takes place: Óbidos Vila Natal. In 2025, the medieval village transforms into the Great Christmas Factory, a true “Christmas production studio.” Under this theme, visitors are invited to take on the role of “elf apprentices,” actively participating in themed workshops and ateliers: from the “Toy Factory,” where they can build their own toys, to the “Sweet Workshop,” where Christmas treats take shape — including the “Elf Academy” and spaces such as Santa’s Office, a ramp and ice-skating rink, Parisian carousel, Christmas train, Christmas market, and interactive zones featuring shows, crafts, and entertainment.
This concept turns Christmas in Óbidos into a participatory and playful experience: it is not enough to simply visit — the public is invited to become part of the magic.
📅 From November 28 to January 4. Tickets range from €6 to €10, with family and school group options available.
Monday to Thursday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
December 24 and 31: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
December 25 and January 1: Closed
📍 Cerca do Castelo de Óbidos.
See in the video below how the Óbidos Christmas Village was in 2023.
The Sintra Mágica event is back. Iconic monuments such as the National Palace of Sintra, Pena Palace, National Palace of Queluz and Quinta da Regaleira are connected through simultaneous illuminations and a coordinated light show. The 2025 edition will once again feature Christmas train rides, carousel, circus, face painting, street food, video-mapping shows and various performances, along with the traditional Christmas Market next to the National Palace of Sintra. One of this year’s highlights is the new nighttime opening of the palace, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
At Pena Palace, visitors can meet Saint Nicholas on several dates throughout the month, with access included in the park or palace ticket, plus a printed photo. For those who enjoy tradition, the Convent of the Capuchos hosts a guided visit with a nativity-scene workshop — including the collection of natural elements from the surrounding woods — and displays the “Nativity of Francisco” until Epiphany, featuring cribs made from natural materials.
And because Christmas is also about good food, Sintra offers several gastronomic stops, such as Tascantiga, known for modern takes on classic tavern dishes — from garlic-and-coriander prawns to pica-pau, braised pork cheeks and cuttlefish with squid-ink aioli.
📅 Schedule: Until 27 December, free entry.
📍 Parque da Liberdade and Terreiro Rainha D. Amélia, Sintra.
Experiencing the Christmas spirit and visiting Christmas markets in Portugal is just one of the many reasons that make this country so special. If you are considering relocating to Portugal and would like to explore the available visa options, our experts are ready to help turn this dream into reality. Take the opportunity to schedule a free initial consultation with our team, who will guide you through every step of the process with expertise and dedication.
Author:
Silvia Resende
