Albufeira is celebrating the festive season in style with several fun-filled events for the whole family.
The programme, which lasts until January 7, is varied and includes a Christmas market, a nativity scene, a Christmas village, a concert, a walk/race and the baking of a giant festive cake which will be sold to raise money for charity.
Since last Saturday, an impressive nativity scene created by British sculptress Toin Adams featuring 30 figures can be visited in Guia between the Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Guia and the local church. It will be on show until January 6.
But most of the festive fun is planned for December.
For the first time ever, the town will welcome a Christmas Village entitled ‘Snowland’, to be located at Praça do Município, in front of the town hall, starting Friday, December 8.
Promising to be a huge hit among children, ‘Snowland’ features an ice rink, a snow park, bouncy castles and much more.
It will be open between 3pm and 8pm on weekdays, and 10am and 8pm on weekends and holidays. Admission is free.
There will also be a Christmas Market between December 8 and 10 at the Espaço Multiusos de Albufeira where visitors will be able to find everything from festive decorations to regional delicacies like sweets and liqueurs.
On December 9, a musical for children entitled ‘A Missão de Natal’ (Christmas Mission) will be performed at the municipal auditorium at 3.30pm, with tickets costing €4 (€1 for children aged six to 12).
Another highlight is a Christmas concert performed by the Orquestra Clássica do Sul, which will be led by maestro Rui Pinheiro and will interpret pieces by Coleridge-Taylor, Tchaikovsky and Mozart among others. It will take place on Friday, December 15 at 9.30pm at the municipal auditorium. Admission is free.
For those looking to get fit and more energetic for the partying ahead, there will be a Santa Claus Walk/Race on Sunday, December 17, starting at the Caliços market at 10am. Participants will be able to choose from two routes (5km or 9km), which can be completed either by running or walking.
Last but not least, a giant 250-metre ‘Bolo Rei’, the traditional Portuguese festive fruit and nut cake, will be baked and sold on Rua 5 de Outubro on Saturday, December 30. All proceeds will go to Albufeira’s volunteer firefighters.
