Christmas made simple – Part two
IF YOU are only just beginning your preparations for the festive season this year, don’t panic, because The Resident’s Christmas and New Year guide can provide you with all the information you need to help you get organised and celebrate in style.
Christmas Dining
Rumours Bar in Almancil will be open every day except Christmas and New Year’s Day, from noon until 3pm for lunches and 6pm until 9pm for dinners, with bar service all day. Rumours Christmas Party will be held on Friday, December 22, at 7.30pm. Entry is free and there will be food, music and plenty of prizes on offer. For more information call 289 395 601.
Traditional Christmas Day roast lunch at Le Meridien Dona Filipa Hotel, Vale do Lobo, Served from noon on December 25. Price 58 euros per person (drinks not included). Call 289 357 200.
Joe’s Bar Bistro is offering a four course Christmas Day lunch menu priced at 30 euros. Estrada de Vale do Lobo between Almancil and Vale do Lobo. Call 289 392 231.
Parque da Floresta’s Christmas Festival gets underway on December 24, at 4pm with a live entertainment programme beginning followed by a five course Christmas Eve dinner priced at 40 euros including wine, coffee and liqueurs. A traditional six course Christmas Day lunch will be served at 1pm on December 25, priced at 50 euros per person including wine, coffee, liqueurs and live entertainment. Call 282 690 070.
Christmas lunch at Monte do Casal, Cerro do Lobo, Estoi (near Faro). Five course Christmas lunch including wine, coffee and petit fours. Champagne and canapés on arrival. Live entertainment from classical guitarist Eudoro Grade. Tickets priced at 95 euros per person. Call 289 990 140.
Traditional Christmas Day lunch at the Sheraton Algarve hotel in Albufeira. Priced at 55 euros per person. Call 289 500 102.
The Vila Monte resort in Moncarapacho is offering a special Christmas Eve dinner menu priced at 65 euros per person and Christmas Day lunch priced at 40 euros per person. Call 289 790 790.
Christmas Day buffet lunch at the Calabaza restaurant in the Estrela da Luz resort, Praia da Luz. Priced at 60 euros per person including buffet lunch with choice of turkey, lamb or baked cod plus welcome drink, house wine, water, soft drinks, port and coffee. Call 962 076 506.
Christmas Fairs
The Friends of São Brás will be holding their annual Christmas Bazaar at the São Brás Cinema Gallery on Saturday, December 9, from 9am to 2pm. As well as home produce, plants, jewellery, gifts and crafts stalls, there will be a boutique and tombola. There will also be an opportunity to buy Unicef Christmas Cards. Entrance costs one euro, which includes coffee and biscuits.
QM Garden and Leisure Centre Christmas Fair on December 8, 10am to 3pm on the road between Santa Bárbara de Nexe and Estoi.
CLCC Christmas Bazaar at CLCC School in Portimão on December 16, 3pm to 10pm. Call 919 233 117 for more information.
Christmas Fair at Barringtons, Vale do Lobo on Friday December 8, 11am to 5pm.
St Vincent’s Christmas Fayre at Fortaleza da Luz on Saturday December 11, from 11am to 3pm. Father Christmas will be in his grotto and there will be carol singing and mulled wine. Free admission.
Christmas Fair on Saturday December 9, at the new premises of Nuspace Group on the EN125 between Vilamoura and Quarteira, Quatro Estradas. Gifts, books, crafts, candles, refreshments, cakes and raffle all on offer.
Christmas goodies
Food Fayre in Messines will be open throughout the festive season, stocking all your favourite Christmas groceries and goodies. A Christmas hamper will be the prize of the raffle taking place on December 22, in aid of the Castelho dos Sonhos Silves-based charity.
New Year celebrations
New Year’s Eve extravaganza at Parque da Floresta, Vila do Bispo. Champagne reception followed by five course dinner including wine, coffee and liqueurs. Live entertainment and fireworks at midnight. Black tie. Priced at 140 euros per person. Call 282 690 070.
Champagne reception with canapés followed by a seven course New Year Gala Dinner at Monte do Casal, Cerro do Lobo, Estoi (near Faro). Live entertainment with Jorges Soares playing the best of the 60s and some Brazilian specials! Black tie. Priced at 148 euros per person. Price includes wine with dinner, coffee and petit fours. Call 289 990 140.
New Year’s Eve six course gala dinner and live entertainment, 179 euros per person, includes half bottle of champagne. Le Meridien Dona Filipa, Vale do Lobo, 289 357 200.
Three course New Year’s dinner at La Terrazza restaurant at Vale do Lobo Praça. Fireworks on the beach and party afterwards at Monty’s bar next door. Dinner 75 euros. Call 289 356 078.
Three course New Year’s Eve dinner and live entertainment from Kiss FM DJ Marc Damon at Joe’s Bar Bistro, Estrada de Vale do Lobo between Almancil and Vale do Lobo. Call 289 392 231.
New Year’s Eve Gala dinner at rooftop panoramic restaurant at Hotel Faro. Views of fireworks at Faro harbour. Dinner 75 euros for adults and children from three to 12 years, 50 euros. Call 289 830 830.
The Oceânico Group’s restaurants: Destino in Lagos, Calabaza in Praia da Luz and Estrela do Mar in Lagos will all be offering New Year’s Eve menus and entertainment. Call 962 076 506 for further information.
Music and street celebrations
Live concert from top Portuguese band Iris at Largo de São Francisco, Faro (next to historic centre) on New Year’s Eve at 10.30pm. Music from DJ Paulo Baptista and fireworks at midnight. Free entrance.
Former Spice girl, Mel C is performing at Fishermen’s Beach in Albufeira on New Year’s Eve. Warming up the crowd will be top Portuguese Hip-Hop act, Boss AC from 10pm and Mel C will take to the stage following the fireworks at midnight. Free entrance.
