Christmas Dinner

The north of Portugal offers a traditional Christmas dinner, with generous servings and quality products, where Porto wine cannot be missed.

Boiled Cod and cod cakes

Chicken soup

Rost lamb

Roast turkey

Boiled octopus

Cod and egg bake

Christmas fritters pastries

Cream puffs

Pumpkin cakes

Sponge cake

Sports

From the sports camps for the young to the traditional São Silvestre race, the pace of Porto is contagious:

29 December: The São Silvestre race leaves and ends on the Avenida dos Aliados. Participants can choose between the 10 km run or a 5 km walk and contribute to the collection of food for the Legião de Boa Vontade charity.

Markets

For those who are yet to do their Christmas shopping, here you will find options for all tastes and budgets.

Porto Christmas Village – Alfândega

Porto Christmas Market – Praça da Batalha

Christmas at Misericórdia – Porto Misericórdia – Museum and Church

Pink Market – Edifício Transparente

Parties

Porto is bubbling over with liveliness at Christmas time. As well as visits to friends and relatives, company and co-worker parties, there are concerts and shows to take in:

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 and cakes

Chicken soup

Roast lamb

Roast turkey

Boiled octopus

Cod and egg bake

Christmas fritters

Cream puffs

Pumpkin cakes

Sponge cake

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Christmas Dinner

The north of Portugal offers a traditional Christmas dinner, with generous servings and quality products, where Porto wine cannot be missed.

Children usually write a letter to Santa (or to the Baby Jesus) to ask for gifts.

Marking the Day of Innocent Saints on 28 December

Watching the inauguration of the big Christmas Tree on the Avenida dos Aliados, in front of the Câmara Municipal do Porto (Porto town hall).

Seeing the Christmas lights in the city centre

Having fun with the biggest gathering of Santas in the world, each one donating 1 euro for buying presents for children in need.

Traditions

Making a nativity scene, gathering the family around the Christmas tree, going to Christmas Eve Mass and exchanging gifts are some of the customs of this period. The festive spirit and goodwill last until King’s Day:

Sports

From the sports camps for the young to the traditional São Silvestre race, the pace of Porto is contagious:

29 December: The São Silvestre race leaves and ends on the Avenida dos Aliados. Participants can choose between the 10 km run or a 5 km walk and contribute to the collection of food for the Legião de Boa Vontade charity.

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Children usually write a letter to Santa (or to the Baby Jesus) to ask for gifts.

Marking the Day of Innocent Saints on 28 December

Watching the inauguration of the big Christmas Tree on the Avenida dos Aliados, in front of the Câmara Municipal do Porto (Porto town hall).

Seeing the Christmas lights in the city centre

Having fun with the biggest gathering of Santas in the world, each one donating 1 euro for buying presents for children in need.

Traditions

Making a nativity scene, gathering the family around the Christmas tree, going to Christmas Eve Mass and exchanging gifts are some of the customs of this period. The festive spirit and goodwill last until King’s Day:

Parties

Porto is bubbling over with liveliness at Christmas time. As well as visits to friends and relatives, company and co-worker parties, there are concerts and shows to take in:

Markets

For those who are yet to do their Christmas shopping, here you will find options for all tastes and budgets.

Porto Christmas Village – Alfândega

Porto Christmas Market – Praça da Batalha

Christmas at Misericórdia – Porto Misericórdia – Museum and Church

Pink Market – Edifício Transparente

Natal à Porta – Concerts in Porto’s iconic locations, such as the University Rectory or the Clerigos Tower balcony

New Year Concert by the Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra, 4 January at the Coliseu do Porto.

Thousands of people go out around the Porto Baixa to have dinner, listen to music, dance and watch the traditional fireworks on the River Douro.

The Alfândega do Porto hosts a dinner with performances, shows and parties.

The Porto Wine Cellars organise various parties.

The River Douro cruise ships offer privileged views of the fireworks on the water.

New Year Concert by the Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra, 4 January at the Coliseu do Porto.

Natal à Porta – Concerts in Porto’s iconic locations, such as the University Rectory or the Clerigos Tower balcony

A Casa da Música presents an even busier schedule for this time of year, from Gospel to Christmas Carols, concerts and ballet.

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!