Portugal's northwest city is leaning into the season with a warm glow and a proper sense of occasion this year. Porto's Christmas lights for 2025 are classic Porto: heartfelt, walkable and packed with little surprises if you wander a block or two off the main drag.
Christmas lights in Porto 2025: dates and switch-on schedule
The festive season officially begins with the lights switch-on on 1st December 2025, showcasing some of Portugal's most impressive Christmas light displays.
Live music starts from 3.30 pm on Avenida dos Aliados and, at 6 pm, the city lights the 34‑metre tree in front of the Town Hall. On top of this, there'll also be fireworks and a video mapping show.
The tree glows in white, red, blue and green this year, and it’s the focal point for the first big crowd of the season. Across the centre, more than 80 streets, squares, gardens and buildings are illuminated with 2.4 million energy‑efficient LEDs. The lights stay on each night until 6th January 2026 for Three Kings Day.
If you want an early taster across the river, WOW in Vila Nova de Gaia lights its own Christmas tree on 22nd November at 6.30 pm, with live music, seasonal sweets and a cosy dinner scene afterwards.
Must-see Christmas displays in Porto
Avenida dos Aliados is the city’s crowning jewel, with the giant tree, opening‑night fireworks and mapping show making the whole avenue feel like a theatre.
- “Spiritus” by Ocubo runs at the Clérigos Church throughout December with tickets costing €10. It’s a 30‑minute 360‑degree multimedia experience inspired by Fernando Pessoa’s poetry.
- Some of the prettiest corridors to admire the Christmas lights: Rua dos Clérigos, Rua das Flores and Rua de Santa Catarina
- Around Santo Ildefonso Church, the lights play off the tiled façade, which makes it a favourite for photos.
Other Christmas highlights in Porto 2025
Markets and music bring the centre to life once the sun dips in one of Portugal's top winter destinations.
- Casa da Música has a full festive agenda, including a Christmas Concert with the Porto Symphony Orchestra and Handel’s Messiah.
- Ice rinks pop up in several squares, with Praça da Fantasia among the seasonal options for a spin.
- On 31st December, the San Silvestre 10K takes over the streets around Aliados.
- In early January, you’ll hear groups singing the traditional carols called Janeiras to welcome the new year.
- Families will enjoy the “Golpe de Asa” exhibition of handmade angels at Galleries Parque Italia from 29th November to 31st December.
For browsing and gifting, you'll find some of Portugal's top Christmas markets right here in Porto:
- Mercado da Alegria: close to 40 exhibitors with music and workshops. Runs until 31st December.
- Feira de Artesanato Artes e Ofícios do Porto: traditional and contemporary crafts on Avenida Dom Afonso Henriques, from 1st to 23rd December.
- Porto Christmas Urban Market: designers and makers with one‑off pieces at Ateneu Comercial do Porto.
Best route to see Porto’s Christmas lights 2025
Start the evening at Aliados for the big tree, then step into São Bento to admire the azulejos before drifting along Rua dos Clérigos toward the tower.
- From there, Rua das Flores pulls you down to the Ribeira with a string of façades that feel like a living film set.
- Cross the lower deck of the Dom Luís I bridge to Gaia for a glance at the WOW lights and the river view back to the historic centre
- Circle up to Rua de Santa Catarina for one last flourish of shopfronts and street‑level sparkle.
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