Thousands are expected to visit Albufeira’s Snowland Christmas Village which will be inaugurated this Saturday (December 7) with an ‘Ice Parade’ at 10am.
This parade will see many well-known Christmas figures making their way into the town, including “a very special guest who around this time of year leaves the North Pole to illuminate homes all over the world”.
There will be so much to do at Snowland, including ice skating or having fun at the many bouncy castles that will be set up.
Snowland will be open until Christmas Eve (December 24) on weekdays between 3pm and 8pm and on weekends between 10am and 8pm.
But this will be far from the only thing to do in Albufeira during the festive season.
A 23-metre tall Christmas tree has been set up at the town’s beachside Praça dos Pescadores square, while 51 million LED Christmas lights will be illuminating all of Albufeira’s four parishes until January 6.
An exhibition of Christmas decorations created with recycled materials will also be on display at the Pintor Samora Barros art gallery until December 31 and can be visited between Monday and Saturday from 9.30am to 12.30pm and from 1.30pm to 5.30pm.
This weekend (December 7-8), there will be a Christmas market at the Espaço Multiusos de Albufeira where visitors will find a selection of regional products from sweets to cakes, honey, dried fruits, wines and Christmas decorations made by local artisans. It will be open between 2pm and 8pm.
“And because Albufeira is a sports town, we had to include some sports activities in our Christmas programme,” the council said about its Santa Claus Walk/Run planned for December 15 at 10am.
It will begin at the Caliços municipal market and will be open to everyone. Admission is free although participants are encouraged to bring a blanket with them to donate to families in need in the municipality.
Another highlight will be a Christmas concert by the Orquestra Clássica do Sul on December 20 at the municipal auditorium, starting at 9.30pm.
Many other festive events are taking place throughout the borough. You can find the full programme online at www.cm-albufeira.pt
