Until January 7 – Guia’s “Street Nativity Scene”. With its approximately 30 figurines, this Nativity Scene created by renowned sculptor Toin Adams, once again, stretches for more than 300 meters between the Main Church and the Hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Guia, revealing several nativity scenes
November 30 to December 30 – Lagoa Christmas with a vast programme for children and adults, including an ice rink, carousels, Christmas fairs across the Municipality, musical shows, walks, nativity scenes, streetparties and lots of children’s entertainment. Carlos do Carmo Municipal Auditorium square, open to the public from Monday to Friday, between 2pm and 7pm, on Saturdays from 10am to 9pm and Sundays from 10am to 7pm
December 1 to 24 – Lagos Christmas Village. The programme includes concerts, workshops, storytelling sessions, Santa’s Grotto, a craft market, an ice rink and ramp, an animated nativity scene, Christmas lights and plenty of entertainment for the little ones. Praça do Infante, open from Monday to Thursday between 12pm and 8pm, Fridays from 12pm till 9pm, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays from 10am till 9pm and Christmas Eve between 10am and 5pm
December 1 to January 6 – “Portimão, a Christmas Dream”. Portimão will be transformed into an authentic Christmas Village. There will be nativity scenes to visit, a Christmas train to ride, a Christmas Market, Santa’s House to explore, as well as nighttime concerts at the stage set up at Alameda. The bulk of the festivities will take place between the recently-renovated Lota building, near the town’s old bridge over the Arade River, and the Alameda square, headlined by the free 200m ice rink. Every Saturday a parade will take place at 5.30pm in the town. Santa Claus and Mother Christmas will also be leading their own parades on December 1 in Portimão at 5.30pm, on December 17 in Alvor at 3pm and December 19 in Mexilhoeira Grande at 10am. For full programme visit www.portimaosonhodenatal.pt
December 1 to January 6 – Loulé Christmas Village. Recreation of the typical Christmas village with close connections to local businesses
December 1 to January 7 – VRS António Christmas. It will be a month full of entertainment and shows. Marquês de Pombal square. 10am to 7pm
December 1 to January 7 – Monchique Christmas. Christmas parade, Christmas market, theatre and entertainment, village nativity scenes, a competition in the traditional shops and a circus
December 1 to 3 – Artists & Fleas Market at MAR Shopping Algarve. Between 10am and 5pm you can find the most diverse stalls selling crafts, jewellery, vintage clothing, accessories, crystals, natural cosmetics and much more
December 2 – VRS António Handicrafts Showcase. Marquês de Pombal square, 9am to 5pm
Until December 3 – Albufeira’s autumn fair ‘Feira Franca’. A popular fair where clothes, shoes, household utensils and toys are sold, as well as entertainment areas such as carousels and bumper car tracks. There will also be plenty of farturas, churros, cotton candy, snacks, honey, dried fruit and other local products. The fair is moving to a new space near the marina
December 1 to 3 – Monchique Walking Festival an event packed full of different activities: hiking, themed and cultural walks, family and child-focused activities, workshops, studios, theatre, yoga, stargazing and more. www.festivalcaminhadasmonchique.pt
Until January 7 – MAR Shopping Algarve’s Candyland Christmas | Christmas Village and skating rink at Mar Shopping, Loulé
Until January 7 – Silves Joy of Christmas with a diverse range of novelties. A ramp with a ball pool, a merry-go-round and a Christmas train, fun mechanical animals, the usual market, specially decorated places to take photos and different Christmas shows, including circus, theatre, gospel, Christmas and New Year’s concerts, puppets, magic and dance are some of the attractions of this edition, aimed at children and families and which will certainly fill the area with smiles, joy and fun. Open daily 2pm to 8pm (except on 24th and 31st December, when the hours will be reduced, from 2pm to 6pm), closed on 25/12 & 01/01
Until January 7 – Forum Algarve’s Christmas Village and Ice Rink at Forum Algarve Shopping in Faro. Promising a fun experience for children of all ages, visitors will be able to take photos with Santa, hand him their Christmas letters, ride a carousel (for free) and receive the 17th edition of ‘Livro do Gui’ (Gui’s Book), which is released every year to raise awareness about a different topic each time – this year the theme is healthy eating. The ice rink will be open to visitors for €4 per person, plus €1 for the rental of the skating equipment. There are also family tickets starting at €16
Christmas Fairs
December 1 to 3 – Albufeira’s ‘Mercadinho de Natal’, 2pm to 8pm at the Espaço Multiusos de Albufeira (EMA). Christmas decorations, traditional Algarve sweets, wines, liqueurs, cake and original handicraft
December 2 – Christmas Fair at Aldeia Azul Restaurant, Florest Bowls Club. Local craft artists, mulled wine, mince pies, cakes, food and drink. 11am to 4pm
December 3 – Cacela Velha Christmas Market. Arts & crafts, regional products, herbs, soaps, books, antiques and much more. 10.30am to 5pm
December 2 & 3 – Moncarapacho Christmas Market with musical entertainment. 2nd 4pm to 11pm; 3rd 9.30am to 5pm
December 2 & 3 – Christmas Fair at Quinta da Figueirinha, Silves, with live music. 12pm to 6pm
December 2 & 3 – Vale do Lobo Christmas Market. The market will feature numerous local exhibitors offering a wide range of products to cater to various tastes and preferences, including wines, gourmet food, crafts, ceramics, paintings, fashion, jewellery, beauty products, sweets, regional products, flowers, toys, and more. Parque do Golfe complex, Vale do Lobo Auditorium, and the adjacent outdoor gardens, from 10am to 5.30pm
December 7 to 10 – Lagoa Christmas Fair. Auditório Municipal Carlos do Carmo square, 10am to 8pm
