Portuguese celebrations part 2

 Christmas tree and gifts

The Christmas tree and the cribs are very popular in Portugal and there is no specific date to set them up: people set them up whenever they want. The presents are placed there before Christmas night, but very few open the presents at 12. Most go to sleep before midnight and open the presents the next day.

Beautiful Christmas Lights

Christmas lights are a big part of the celebration. Usually, they turn on around November (also because with the time change, it gets dark very early), but this year they turn on for less time to save energy. The turning on of lights, in many cities, becomes an event with music that can be enjoyed at different points. In Lisbon, for example, it was in the Plaza de Comercio and the lights will be on until January 6.

Christmas markets

There are many Christmas markets, both outdoors and indoors, where you can find national products and meals to enjoy with the family. For example, in Lisbon you can go to the Sintra Christmas market, outdoors. There is also the Rossio market, which is free and has a wide variety of national products (from cheeses and wines to objects made of leather or cork). The Campo Pequeno market is covered and the entrance costs 1 euro.

In other parts of the country you can go to:

See the giant Santa Claus in Águeda, near Aveiro.

Go to Vila de Natal, in Óbidos, near the castle.

The Castelo de Leiria organizes concerts and other activities inside the castle.

In Porto, there are several Christmas markets, such as the one in the Jardines del Palacio de Cristal.

In Braga there are Christmas markets, especially the one in the city center.