“There has never been a Christmas like this one”. This is how Portimão is announcing its Christmas programme which will begin with the much-anticipated arrival of jolly Santa Claus at the riverside Praça Manuel Teixeira Gomes on Friday, November 29 at 6pm.
This will be followed by an ‘arruada’ (parade) leading to Jardim 1º de Dezembro where a Christmas exhibition featuring seasonal traditions from other countries will be unveiled. The parade will continue towards Largo da Mó, on the so-called ‘Rua das Lojas’, where a life-size nativity scene will be on display.
At 7pm, the festivities will continue at Praça da República, better known as Alameda, where there will be a special lights show – taking place many times a day during the course of the town’s Christmas programme – followed by the opening of a Christmas market and ice rink as well as a magic show.
The Alameda is where all the Christmas magic will happen. Children will be able to visit Santa’s house, enjoy Christmas tales told by Santa’s elves and meet Santa himself. It will also have a stage set up where shows will be held every Friday and Saturday until the end of the town’s festive season on January 6.
Also planned is a musical entitled ‘O Sonho de Ernesto’, which will take place at Teatro Boa Esperança every Saturday at 9pm and Sunday at 11am, as well as a “Cycling Christmas” event inviting cyclists and skaters to participate in a five-kilometre tour through the town’s historic centre on December 14. The meeting point is the 1º de Dezembro square at 3pm.
More information about the town’s festive programme can be found online at www.portimaonatal.pt
