Portugal in December: Christmas, New Year and Winter Sun

December in Portugal is all about Christmas: twinkling lights, Christmas villages, bolo rei, roasted chestnuts and bacalhau on Christmas Eve, followed by spectacular New Year fireworks in Lisbon and Madeira. The weather is mild compared with northern Europe. Here’s what to expect.

Quick answer: expect highs of about 15°C in Lisbon, 16–17°C in the Algarve and around 20°C in Madeira, with some rain. Highlights: Óbidos Vila Natal, Wonderland Lisboa, Perlim near Porto, Christmas lights, and New Year’s Eve fireworks in Lisbon and Funchal. Book early for Christmas and New Year.

Why go in December

December is low season everywhere except the Christmas and New Year weeks, so the first half of the month is quiet and good value. Cities are lit up from late November, the markets smell of chestnuts and fried dough, and sunny winter days are common in the south. Days are short, with sunset at around 5.15pm in Lisbon, so start early and save the evenings for the lights.

It’s a good month for a city break. Museums, cafés and port lodges are cosy on wet days, and the main sights have short queues outside the holiday weeks. If you want sun, head to Madeira or the Algarve.

Weather

• Lisbon: highs around 15°C, nights around 8°C.
• Porto: around 14°C, often wet.
• The Algarve: 16–17°C and often sunny.
• Madeira: around 20°C, the warmest place in Portugal.
• The Azores: mild but wet and windy, with frequent changes in the weather.
• Inland: frosty nights in the Alentejo and the north, and snow is possible on Serra da Estrela. See Serra da Estrela.

What’s on

• Christmas villages: Óbidos Vila Natal (late November to early January), Wonderland Lisboa in Parque Eduardo VII, and Perlim in Santa Maria da Feira.
• Christmas lights in Lisbon, Porto and Funchal.
• 1 December: Restoration of Independence Day, a public holiday marking the end of Spanish rule in 1640.
• 8 December: Immaculate Conception, a public holiday. Some shops and offices close.
• 23 December in Funchal: the Noite do Mercado, when the Mercado dos Lavradores and the streets around it stay busy late into the night with music, food and drink.
• Christmas Eve (Consoada): bacalhau dinner and midnight Mass. See bacalhau.
• 25 December: a quiet family day. Most of the country shuts.
• New Year’s Eve: free concerts and fireworks on Lisbon’s Praça do Comércio and Porto’s Avenida dos Aliados, and Madeira’s famous fireworks over Funchal bay.

See Christmas in Portugal.

The Christmas villages in more detail

• Óbidos Vila Natal: the walled town becomes a Christmas park for families, with an ice rink, a Santa’s house, shows and stalls. It usually runs from the end of November to the first days of January; the 2025 edition ran from 28 November to 4 January. Tickets are needed for the main area. See Óbidos.
• Wonderland Lisboa: a free-entry Christmas market at the top of Parque Eduardo VII, with a Ferris wheel, an ice rink and food stalls. Rides cost extra. The 2025 edition ran from 28 November to 4 January.
• Perlim: a large Christmas theme park in the woods of Santa Maria da Feira, about 30 minutes south of Porto. It usually runs from late November to late December and doesn’t open every day, so check the calendar. In 2025 it opened on set days from 29 November to 30 December, and a day ticket for an adult cost about €8 to €9.

Dates change every year, so check the official sites before you plan a day around them.

New Year’s Eve

Madeira’s display over Funchal bay is the big one. It once held a Guinness World Record as the largest fireworks show in the world, and cruise ships anchor in the bay to watch. Hotels in Funchal book up many months ahead. See New Year’s Eve in Madeira. In Lisbon, the party on Praça do Comércio has free concerts and fireworks over the river at midnight. For the 2025 to 2026 party, the fireworks were launched from the Tagus with a drone show alongside. Get there early, as it gets very crowded.

Where to go

• Lisbon: lights, markets and fado. See Lisbon in winter.
• Madeira: for New Year and warm weather. See Funchal.
• The Algarve: winter sun and walks. See the Algarve in winter.
• Óbidos: the Christmas village. See Óbidos.
• Porto: lights on Avenida dos Aliados and cosy port lodges. See Porto in winter.
• The Douro: quiet, misty and moody, with few visitors. See the Douro Valley in winter.

A sample Christmas week

• Days 1 to 3: Lisbon for the lights, Wonderland Lisboa and a fado night.
• Day 4: a day trip to Óbidos for the Christmas village.
• Days 5 to 7: fly to Madeira for warmer weather, the Funchal lights and, if your dates allow, the Noite do Mercado.

What to eat

• Bacalhau with boiled potatoes, cabbage and eggs: the classic Christmas Eve dinner.
• Bolo rei: the ring-shaped king cake topped with candied fruit, sold everywhere from late November.
• Roast chestnuts: from street sellers in every city.
• Turkey or roast kid: often served on Christmas Day, depending on the region.

Tips

• Closures: many shops, museums and restaurants close on 25 December and 1 January, and early on the 24th and 31st.
• Public transport: trains, buses and the metro usually run reduced services on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January. Check times in advance.
• Book ahead for New Year in Madeira and Lisbon.
• Pack warm: homes and some hotels have little heating.
• Try: bolo rei, filhós and rabanadas. See Portuguese desserts.
• Christmas dinner out: many restaurants close on the 24th and 25th, and those that open often do a set menu. Book well ahead.
• Rain gear: pack a waterproof and shoes with grip, as cobbles get slippery when wet.

FAQ

Is December a good time to visit Portugal?

Yes, if you like Christmas lights and quiet sights. Expect mild but sometimes wet weather, with highs of about 15°C in Lisbon. Prices are low in early December and rise over Christmas and New Year.

Where is the warmest place in Portugal in December?

Madeira, with highs around 20°C. The Algarve comes next, at about 16–17°C and often sunny.

Is everything closed on Christmas Day in Portugal?

Most shops, museums and many restaurants close on 25 December, and public transport runs a reduced service. Hotels stay open, and some hotel restaurants serve Christmas meals.

Where is the best New Year’s Eve in Portugal?

Funchal in Madeira has the most famous fireworks. Lisbon’s free party on Praça do Comércio and Porto’s on Avenida dos Aliados are the biggest on the mainland.

More: November, January and Portugal in winter.

See also: New Year’s Eve in Portugal and Christmas markets.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.