Christmas is one of the most colourful seasons on the Silver Coast of Portugal. Giant Christmas trees, ice rinks, musical shows, and plenty of fun for the entire family… 

‘Tis the season to be jolly' and the Silver Coast is one of the jolliest places to celebrate Christmas in Portugal! Giant Christmas trees, ice rinks, musical shows, and plenty of fun for the entire family. The hardest part is choosing where to go and what to do!

Here are some of the best Christmas Events in the Silver Coast for you to make the most of this holiday season in Portugal: 

Sao Martinho do Porto

• Floating Christmas Tree - This weekend is one of the brightest nights in Sao Martinho do Porto! On Saturday, December 14th, at 10:30 pm, the Floating Christmas Tree is inaugurated and will illuminate this fishing village’s shell-shaped bay for the next few weeks. This event features fireworks and live music and joins hundreds of locals and visitors in a festive atmosphere that officially opens the Christmas season in Portugal’s best family beach.

Obidos

• Obidos Vila Natal, from November 29th to January 5th - This is one of the most magical places on the Silver Coast! During Christmas, the medieval town of Obidos welcomes elves, reindeer, snowmen and other fairy tale characters come to life on the village’s cobblestone streets. And there’s plenty of fun for all ages as the town has its very own Christmas train, ferris wheel, ice rink, artificial snow park, outdoor theatre, live music, and amusements, among many other activities. 
  
  
• Large Exhibition of Nativity Scenes in Gaeiras, from 7 to 29 December - In one of the most genuine traditions of Christmas in Portugal, this display features 1800 nativity scenes of almost 100 artists, on display at the Convent of S. Miguel. Entrances are free and the exhibition can be visited from 14:30 to 18:00.

Nazare

• Sea themed street lighting - The fishing village of Nazare celebrates this holiday season with the streets and the funicular to Sitio lit with traditional Christmas lights. This year, the decoration has sea-inspired designs! Enjoy the season’s spirit with a walk along the gorgeous beach or visit one of the many typical restaurants in Nazare, where there is no shortage of fresh fish and seafood, as well as traditional Christmas dishes such as salted codfish.
  
  
• Free Christmas entertainment for the entire family - To mark this season, the Municipality of Nazare also offers free tickets to the film “Abominable”, which will be shown on December 22nd and 23rd at the Nazare cinema. The magic of this season continues with the play “Uma aventura congelante” (A freezing adventure, based on the Disney film “Frozen”), which the whole family will be able to watch on December 21 also at the Nazare cinema.

Alcobaca

• Children's Library Activities - The Municipal Library of Alcobaca has prepared a vast program of activities designed especially for preschool and primary school students, as well as the community in general. From December 16 to 20, there will be film sessions, Yoga for children and recreational and educational Christmas workshops.

Caldas da Rainha

• Caldas, Rainha do Natal (“Caldas, The Queen of Christmas”) - The streets of Caldas da Rainha have more than 4 million lights, about seven thousand meters of illuminated streets and more than 15 thousand square meters of illuminated town squares! Among the various activities available, you can choose between the adventure of the ice rink, a visit to the giant Christmas Tree or Santa’s House, watch one of the many musical shows or see the creativity of the Christmas trees made by the students of local schools for the “Enchanted Forest” contest, all on display on Avenida 1º de Maio. There is also a Christmas train that will travel around the city from 7 to 24 December, among many other activities!
  
  

If you haven't bought your Christmas presents yet, don't hesitate to visit the Silver Coast villages where you'll find not only bright streets and entertainment for the whole family but also the greatest Portuguese gift or all: their genuine hospitality! Traditional shops are the ideal place to experience what many consider to be “the real Portugal” and there are plenty of places to buy traditional Portuguese Christmas items, such as the delicious “Bolo Rei” in one of the many pastry shops and cafés. 

If you’re currently looking for a property on the Silver Coast of Portugal, don't hesitate to visit us! Our real estate offices on the Silver Coast are located in front of the Sao Martinho do Porto train station, just pop in to visit or give us a call to find out more about living in Portugal. 

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