Vila Real de Santo António will open its Christmas village in Marquês de Pombal square on December 4, bringing the “magic of Christmas spirit” to the heart of the town.
Doors will open at 5.45pm with a special concert, followed by the arrival of Santa at 6.30pm.
The village will be open every day between 10am and 7pm, with no entry charges.
There will be workshops on offer, musical and dancing performances, handicraft and cooking demonstrations and a Christmas fair boasting dozens of stalls as well as carousels, trampolines and bouncy castles.
VRSA is also organising other festive initiatives throughout the borough, while Christmas lights have already been set up along the town’s main shopping streets – Rua Téofilo Braga and Rua 5 de Outubro – as well as at local roundabouts.
Another highlight of the season is the town’s massive nativity scene, which attracts thousands to the eastern Algarve town every year. It can be visited from December 5 at the António Aleixo cultural centre and boasts over 4,000 figures set within nearly 20 tons of material.
Christmas trees created by kindergarten pupils will also be on show throughout the town’s historic centre, while Cacela Velha nearby will be hosting its traditional ‘Mercadinho de Natal’ on December 13.
