Christmas in Lisbon
Christmas is truly the best and most fun time of year, a fabulous excuse for buying a mountain of presents, eating lots of good food, spending time with your family. And if you’re lucky enough it is the perfect opportunity for a getaway for a little bit and enjoy this festive time of year in a different and interesting destination like Lisbon.
Lisbon’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Lisbon’s Christmas Tree erected annually in Comercio Square comprises an artificial Christmas tree of record breaking height. It has been amply named ´Europe’s tallest Christmas Tree`, and in 2007 peaked at 76 metres. As you can imagine it is quite an impressive sight to see. The height varies from year to year and the tree lighting ceremony takes place at the end of November with an impressive array of fireworks lighting up the night sky.
In addition, millions of micro-lamps are lit up, illuminating the charming streets of Lisbon during the festive season, the neighbourhoods of Baixa , Chiado, Rossio, and Avenida da Liberdade are particularly impressive.
Natalis 2013: Lisbon Christmas Fair
This fabulous Gifts and Crafts trade show organised by the Feria Internacional de Lisboa takes place from the 30th of November to the 8th of December 2013. Stallholders will be selling everything for a perfect Christmas in Lisbon, decorations, greetings cards, and electrical garlands, gift packages, accessories, fireworks, handicrafts, traditional cuisine and much more.
The exhibition centre is over 100,000 m2, and part of the ticket sales proceeds will be donated to the charity organisations participating in the market.
New Year in Lisbon
On the night of the 31st, thousands of people gather in Comercio Square to bring in the New Year. At the stroke of midnight a deafening dispay of fireworks accompany the ringing of the bells. From 10pm there are concerts and performances taking place on a stage set up in the square from famous Portuguese names.
Lots of other entertainment occurs all over the city, fireworks shows in the Parque das Naçoes and festivities at Lisbon Casino.
Enjoy all the traditions of a Christmas in Lisbon!
