Christmas in Portugal

If you spend December in Lisbon or Porto, you’ll notice people quietly clutching strips of coloured paper, comparing numbers in cafés and kiosks. That’s the Lotaria Clássica de Natal, Portugal’s Classic Christmas Lottery, and it’s much more than a quick flutter.

Portugal transforms into a festive wonderland during the Christmas season, offering a rich mix of cultural traditions, regional customs, and delicious food.

Christmas in Portugal runs from the Consoada supper on 24th December through family lunches to Twelfth Night.

Are you wondering where to spend Christmas in Portugal? Whether you’re looking for twinkling city lights, a cosy countryside escape, or a sun-soaked coastal getaway, Portugal offers a magical holiday experience.

The Christmas lights in Cascais 2025 turn the old fishing town into a seaside winter fixture on Portugal’s festive map. The town boasts a lively Christmas Village with an ice rink and markets by the water.

The famous Christmas lights in Obidos turn the town into a gentle fairytale each evening, with the medieval walls lit for Vila Natal.

Portugal does the festive season with a cosy, neighbourhood feel: twinkly squares, proper artisan stalls, and plenty of warming snacks. You'll get cork crafts, ceramics and textiles alongside seasonal favourites like bolo-rei, roasted chestnuts and cups of ginjinha.

Madeira is already humming with festive buzz as Funchal's Christmas lights go up. Crews started stringing up the illuminations in early October, so by the time December arrives, the centre feels like a living postcard.

Portugal's northwest city is leaning into the season with a warm glow and a proper sense of occasion this year.

Portugal does festive evenings properly: grand trees, clever illuminations and markets threaded through historic centres.

Lisbon’s festive season returns with scale and pageantry across the city centre.

As Portugal gears up for Christmas 2025, the travel picture is tilting towards compact breaks, city lights and island escapes, with cars setting the pace.

December in Portugal has a lovely winter rhythm: crisp mornings in the mountains, cosy evenings by the fire, and cities that glow once the lights go on.

Christmas in Portugal for most people means gifts, socialising, food and celebration. However, the inflationary scenario in which the country currently finds itself does not favour families.

With the Christmas holiday season just around the corner, it's time to get our heads around the COVID-19 rules and regulations for Portugal during the Christmas and New Year period. Like many other European countries, Portugal is set to ease its COVID-19 restrictions over the Christmas per

The most magical season of the year is on its way, and with it the "vilas" or Christmas fairs in Portugal. Ornaments, decorations, sweets and cakes, hot chocolate, Santa Claus, street markets, plays, magic trains, lights, Christmas trees...

The Christmas season is upon us and if you are living or planning to live in Portugal you might as well start getting acquainted with all the traditions.