Christmas Dinner

Lisbon brings together people and customs from all over the world. And this is particularly evident at the Christmas table, with specialities from various Portuguese regions and from other countries. A lot depends on the tradition and history of each family, and everything from the omnipresent cod to vegetarian and healthy dishes can be found, always with a festive touch.

Boiled Cod

Roasted goat

Tofu with cornbread

Stuffed turkey

Baked seitan roll

Bolo Rei and Bolo Rainha

Christmas fritters pastries

Vermicelli

Sweet Potato Biscuits

Seasonal fruits

Sports

With the over-indulgence of the Christmas period, it is good to know that Lisbon has a wide variety of sporting activities for children and adults:

15 December: The Maratona Grande Prémio de Natal (Christmas marathon) has been taking place since the 60s. It leaves from Benfica at 11 am and ends in Restauradores.

28 December: The Corrida de São Silvestre starts on the Avenida da Liberdade at 5:30 pm and covers 10 km. The younger ones have a separate race at 3:00 pm, the proceeds of which go to Make-a-Wish Portugal.

Markets

Like all major European capitals, Lisbon also offers markets of all sizes where you can find the perfect gifts for each family member and friend. The stalls feature everything from gourmet treats to fashion, and from handicrafts to luxury brands.

4 to 8 December: FIL, Parque das Nações, with workshops and chocolate showcookings; outlet market with affordable brands; Santa's Square for photos and Vegan Square with products for the Christmas Eve dinner and home decor.

5 December to 1 January: Cascais Christmas Village at the Parque Marechal Carmona. As well as the little market, there is also a giant Christmas tree, ice rink, carousel and train.

29 November 2019 - 1 December 2019 - Get Zen Market Santa Clara Market, with organic and handicraft products, classrooms and offices on healthy eating, sustainability and materials recycling.

30 November 2019 - 1 December 2019 Blog da Carlota Little Market - Cordoaria Nacional, presents women’s and children’s fashions and activities for the little ones.

Parties

Music, lights, dance, castles, big wheels, snow… it’s not just Santa who is snowed under at this time. There are crowds that come together with one mission: complete fun!

Celebrate Christmas and the New Year with Pestana

At the Pestana Hotel Group we celebrate this festive time with sheer gusto! In the comfortable and welcoming atmosphere of our hotels, you can dedicate all your attention to who you love the most, share stories and experience an unforgettable Christmas and New Year.
Get to know the Christmas traditions and gastronomy of each region, check out all the festivals, markets and sports competitions. Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

Boiled Cod

Roasted Goat

Tofu with cornbread

Stuffed turkey

Baked seitan roll

Bolo Rei and Bolo Rainha

Christmas fritters

Vermicelli

Sweet Potato biscuits

Seasonal fruits

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Christmas Dinner

Lisbon brings together people and customs from all over the world. And this is particularly evident at the Christmas table, with specialities from various Portuguese regions and from other countries. A lot depends on the tradition and history of each family, and everything from the omnipresent cod to vegetarian and healthy dishes can be found, always with a festive touch.

The Christmas lights at the Armazéns do Chiado shopping centre come on at 6:30 pm on 9 November, with the performance of the Saint Dominic's Gospel Choir. Many families go from neighbourhood to neighbourhood to see the latest lights and for shopping.

The Russian Classical Ballet takes Sleeping Beauty to the Coliseu dos Recreios (24 Nov), as well as Swan Lake (3 and 4 Jan) and The Nutcracker (5 Jan). The Moscow State Ballet presents Pinocchio.

Christmas Circus (30 Nov to 26 Dec) by the International Circus Company, that commits to shows without animals.

The Harlem Gospel Choir (5 Dec) plays a special tribute to Prince.
Listening to Johann Strauss’s Great New Year Concert by the Orchestra Festival (28 Dec) or the New Year Concert by the Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra (1 Jan) is already part of the Christmas traditions.

The Christmas Eve Mass is celebrated in all the parishes of the city. The Jeronimos Monastery, Estrela Basilica and Lisbon Cathedral are especially interesting churches

Traditions

You’re in time for a show! Ballet, circus and concerts pack the agenda in Lisbon, apart from the traditional religious celebrations:

Sports

With the over-indulgence of the Christmas period, it is good to know that Lisbon has a wide variety of sporting activities for children and adults.

15 December: The Maratona Grande Prémio de Natal (Christmas marathon) has been taking place since the 60s. It leaves from Benfica at 11 am and ends in Restauradores.

18 December to 3 January: Several institutions such as parish councils and clubs organise fairs with sports activities for children.

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The Christmas lights at the Armazéns do Chiado shopping centre come on at 6:30 pm on 9 November, with the performance of the Saint Dominic's Gospel Choir. Many families go from neighbourhood to neighbourhood to see the latest lights and for shopping.

The Russian Classical Ballet takes Sleeping Beauty to the Coliseu dos Recreios (24 Nov), as well as Swan Lake (3 and 4 Jan) and The Nutcracker (5 Jan). The Moscow State Ballet presents Pinocchio.

Christmas Circus (30 Nov to 26 Dec) by the International Circus Company, that commits to shows without animals.

The Harlem Gospel Choir (5 Dec) plays a special tribute to Prince.
Listening to Johann Strauss’s Great New Year Concert by the Orchestra Festival (28 Dec) or the New Year Concert by the Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra (1 Jan) is already part of the Christmas traditions.

The Christmas Eve Mass is celebrated in all the parishes of the city. The Jeronimos Monastery, Estrela Basilica and Lisbon Cathedral are especially interesting churches

Traditions

You’re in time for a show! Ballet, circus and concerts pack the agenda in Lisbon, apart from the traditional religious celebrations:

Parties

Music, lights, dance, castles, big wheels, snow… it’s not just Santa who is snowed under at this time. There are crowds that come together with one mission: complete fun!

Markets

Like all major European capitals, Lisbon also offers markets of all sizes where you can find the perfect gifts for each family member and friend. The stalls feature everything from gourmet treats to fashion, and from handicrafts to luxury brands.

4 to 8 December: FIL, Parque das Nações, with workshops and chocolate showcookings; outlet market with affordable brands; Santa's Square for photos and Vegan Square with products for the Christmas Eve dinner and home decor.

5 December to 1 January: Cascais Christmas Village at the Parque Marechal Carmona. As well as the little market, there is also a giant Christmas tree, ice rink, carousel and train.

29 November 2019 - 1 December 2019 - Get Zen Market Santa Clara Market, with organic and handicraft products, classrooms and offices on healthy eating, sustainability and materials recycling.

30 November 2019 - 1 December 2019 Blog da Carlota Little Market - Cordoaria Nacional, presents women’s and children’s fashions and activities for the little ones.

9 November to 5 January 2020 - Óbidos Christmas Village, a little more than 1 hour from Lisbon, the medieval town of Óbidos puts its heart and soul into an annual entertainment programme for the whole family. With a big wheel, ice rink, Santa’s space, carousel, artificial snow, trampolines, donkey rides and many other fun activities.

30 November 2019 to 5 January 2020 - Lisbon Wonderland at Parque Eduardo VII - Big wheel, ice rink, Christmas village and stalls selling regional products, clothes, accessories and handicrafts.

Let’s check out Lisbon’s best parties…

Revengeillon Noventeiro - Revenge of the 90's, Coliseu dos Recreios. Remembering the spirit of the 90s in a unique experience.

Pestana CR7 Lisboa – Step into 2020 with the timeless Rock, Disco and Funk of the 70s and 80s.

Praça do Comércio – Concerts, fireworks on the Tejo and the liveliness of the city’s most famous square.