Christmas in Lisbon – Information Guide Lisbon for Christmas

Lisbon Christmas Celebrations and Tourist Guide – Lisbon Christmas Markets

Christmas in Lisbon combines religious traditions, family gatherings, excellent food and lively celebrations. The holiday season stretches from early December into January, with locals celebrating Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and Epiphany.

When is Christmas Celebrated in Lisbon?

December 24, known as Christmas Eve or “Consoada,” is a family-centered celebration. Most people head home early to spend time with loved ones. A traditional meal is served, often featuring “bacalhau,” which is salted codfish, and a variety of other dishes. Midnight Mass is also quite popular, with many people going to church to welcome Christmas Day.

On December 25, Christmas Day or “Natal,” families continue to spend time together and exchange gifts. The city is pretty quiet since most businesses are closed, and people stay in to enjoy a festive lunch with dishes like roast turkey and a range of desserts including “Bolo Rei,” a traditional Portuguese Christmas cake.

New Year’s Eve, or “Passagem de Ano,” is a big party in Lisbon. The city hosts a variety of public celebrations, including fireworks displays and live music concerts. A lot of people gather around areas like Terreiro do Paço or Rossio Square to count down to the new year.

January 1 is New Year’s Day, called “Dia de Ano Novo.”

Finally, January 6 is Epiphany, known as “Dia de Reis.” This marks the end of the Christmas season for many Portuguese. Traditionally, this is when children receive gifts from the “Three Wise Men,” rather than from Santa Claus. People also enjoy eating “Bolo Rei” on this day, which is similar to the Christmas version but often has a small prize baked into it for good luck.

Date	Holiday Name	Portuguese Name
December 24	Christmas Eve	Consoada
December 25	Christmas Day	Natal
December 31	New Year’s Eve	Passagem de Ano
January 1	New Year’s Day	Dia de Ano Novo
January 6	Epiphany	Dia de Reis

Lisbon Christmas Lights and Tree

In Lisbon the decorating of the city usually starts in late November or early December, you’ll see major streets, squares, and landmarks get decked out in festive lights. Places like Avenida da Liberdade, Rossio Square, and Commerce Square are popular spots to check out the decorations.

As for the Christmas tree, Lisbon usually puts a huge tree in both Rossio Square and Terreiro do Paço. This tree is often one of the tallest in Europe and becomes a focal point for both locals and tourists during the festive period – with events and Christmas themed stalls surrounding the locations.

Lisbon Christmas Markets

Lisbon gets into the holiday spirit with several Christmas markets popping up around the city. These markets are great places to find unique gifts, decorations, and traditional holiday foods. One of the most famous ones is the “Wonderland Lisboa” in Eduardo VII Park. It’s got an ice rink, a Ferris wheel, and loads of stalls selling everything from crafts to snacks.

Another good market to check out is the “Mercado de Natal” in Campo Pequeno. This one focuses more on Portuguese crafts and gourmet products, so it’s a good spot if you’re looking for something locally made.

Most of these Christmas markets usually start in late November or early December and go on until just after Christmas.

Traditional Lisbon Christmas Food

Here is a selection of the most common Christmas traditional foods you can pick up in Lisbon in December. Often these are found in the Christmas markets of Lisbon.

• Bacalhau à Brás: Shredded codfish mixed with straw fries and scrambled eggs
• Peru de Natal: Roast turkey often served with a variety of side dishes
• Rabanadas: Portuguese version of French toast, often flavored with cinnamon and sugar
• Aletria: A sweet pasta dessert, often made with milk, sugar, and cinnamon
• Bolo Rei: Traditional Portuguese Christmas cake filled with dried fruits and nuts
• Arroz Doce: Sweet rice pudding flavored with lemon and cinnamon
• Filhós: Deep-fried dough balls, often sprinkled with powdered sugar or cinnamon
• Sonhos: Another type of deep-fried dough, softer and rounder than Filhós, also sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon

Visiting Lisbon at Christmas

Lisbon during the festive period is a great time to visit for tourists. The city goes all out with impressive lights and decorations, and you can find Christmas markets selling everything from gifts to traditional Portuguese crafts. Events like live concerts and nativity scenes pop up throughout the city, and you can munch on special holiday foods like Bacalhau à Brás and Bolo Rei. The weather is usually mild, a jacket is definitely needed!

Unlike some other European spots, many bars and restaurants in Lisbon stay open on Christmas Day, with the bigger celebrations happening on other dates (like New Year’s Eve and Epiphany on January 6th).

Most major sights keep their doors open during the Christmas season, and some, like the Jerónimos Monastery, get decorated with special Christmas lights.

The streets do get busy, especially in the evening when locals are out and about celebrating, doing their Christmas shopping, and taking in the light shows!