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Christmas in Lisbon 2025: Christmas markets and beautiful decorations
Wondering if Lisbon is worth visiting during Christmas? Here’s what makes it magical and how to plan your holiday trip stress-free. Whether you’re visiting Lisbon for the first time, a local or returning for a winter getaway, this guide will help you make the most of the holidays in the city.
Christmas in Lisbon is certainly the most magical time of year. I moved to Portugal in December 2021, and straight away I noticed how beautifully Lisbon was decorated. And each year it’s different, so locals always look forward to seeing what the atmosphere is this year!
After spending the past three holiday seasons here, I’ve explored nearly every Christmas market and tradition the city has to offer.
There are plenty of markets to visit each year, and the decorations and lights are beautiful! Some favourites are Wonderland Lisboa and the Rossio Christmas market. I will tell you where they are, but there is more!
In this guide, I’ll cover the top markets, what to eat, where to shop, and what to expect on Christmas Day in Lisbon. This post is currently being updated for the 2025 Christmas festivities, so you know what to expect.
Why should you visit Lisbon at Christmas?
You may have booked a flight to Lisbon in December and wonder what you can expect in the city. From late November and early December onwards, you can find the first markets and decorations. And it’s a big deal when the lights are on and the markets open! Here are some reasons why you should celebrate Christmas in Lisbon!
The Lisbon Christmas lights 2025 will be switched on!
Turning on the lights is one of the best Christmas events in Lisbon! I’m keeping my eyes peeled and will update you as soon as dates are announced!
- Armazéns do Chiado: Saturday, November 8th at 6.30 PM
- Praça do Comércio and Terreiro do Paço: Saturday, November 22nd at 6.30 PM
It will be extremely busy on those days at these locations as literally thousands of people come to see the lights in Lisbon at Christmas!
There is a Christmas concert featuring fado singer Sara Correia, live music, as well as other performances, and a fireworks and light show at Praça do Comércio. Santa will visit Armazéns do Chiado, and the famous LED light show will return, along with live music performances.
Mild weather in Lisbon around Christmas
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. One thing is for sure: it won’t be a white Christmas in Lisbon! And the weather outside doesn’t have to be frightful at all! As the climate in Portugal is pretty nice all year round, you won’t even have to wrap up with scarves and woolly hats.
High temperatures tend to be around 15.3 ℃ (about 60 ℉), with the lowest temperatures to about 9.4 ℃ (49 ℉) by late December. Please note that temperatures can drop at night, so wearing a jacket is advisable. Additionally, the Atlantic Ocean breeze may make things significantly colder. Are you ready for the Christmas spirit with a bit of sun?
Fewer crowds
Although it’s often busy around the Christmas markets, Portugal is actually in its low season. So if you plan to visit the famous sights such as the Jerónimos Monastery and the Santa Justa Lift, now is the best time.
Visiting Sintra is the most popular day trip, and winter is much quieter! No long lines at Pena Palace, and it can happen you’re nearly alone inside Queluz Palace and Sintra National Palace! Yup… I had both places nearly to myself in winter!
When and where to see the best Christmas markets
When I first arrived in Lisbon, I didn’t expect that Christmas would be such a big deal. So I was happily surprised, and I visit most markets every year! Sometimes, there are also pop-up markets, offering a lot to see and do.
Wonderland Lisboa has several attractions, such as a Ferris wheel and an ice skating rink, and you can even visit Santa Claus! Rossio Square has nice market stalls with handicrafts and a variety of food and drinks.
And there is even a free Christmas Train that drives past the many light displays! These two are the largest and most popular Christmas markets, but there are more!
Overview of the Christmas markets in Lisbon 2025-2026:
Another reason to visit Lisbon at Christmas is, of course, to visit the markets! Some have already been announced, and others still need dates. The main Christmas markets are Wonderland Lisboa and the one at Rossio Square.
- Wonderland Lisboa – November 28th until January 4th 2026. Free admission.
- Rossio Christmas market – November 14th until December 21st. Free admission.
- Praça da Figueira – November 20th until December 21st.
- Mercado de Natal Campo Pequeno – From November 28th to December 1st and again from December 5th to the 8th. Tickets cost € 2,00 per person.
- Mercado de Natal em Alvalade – December 4th until 17th. Free entry.
- Oeiras Once upon a time in the Marquês Gardens (Era uma vez nos Jardins do Marquês) – To be announced.
- Aroeira Season Market – Mercado de Natal – Mercado de Natal is on December 7th and 8th.
- Anjos70 Flea Market – December 13th and 14th: XMAS market in Marvila (at 8 Marvila) + December 20th and 21st: XMAS market at the Intendente location
- Christmas events at Diverlândia indoor amusement park at FIL in Parque das Nações: December 12th, 2025 to January 4th 2026. The FIL Mercado de Natal is perfect when the weather is not great!
🎄 TIP: I have written a detailed post about the best Christmas markets in Lisbon, so you can decide which one you’d like to visit this year. There will be more information about the cost, what you can see and do, and how to get to them. They are scattered throughout the city of Lisbon, and a helpful map is available to locate them all.
Christmas markets around Lisbon:
- Sintra Reino de Natal – No official updates yet, but usually the whole month of December.
- Cascais Christmas Village: November 22nd 2025 until January 4th, 2026
- Óbidos Vila Natal: November 28th 2025 until January 4th 2026
What to do and see around the city
The Lisbon Christmas tree 🎄
You’ll see it from afar, the Christmas tree on Praça do Comércio! The largest Christmas tree, a whopping 30 meters tall, stands in the corner of this beautiful square.
The tree in Lisbon appears in a different form each year. Like the design, the height of the artificial tree varies from year to year. It was already the tallest Christmas tree in Europe in 2007! It was 76 metres (249 ft) high!
The inauguration at Praça do Comércio is scheduled for November 22nd at 6:30 PM. Let’s see what Lisbon Christmas 2025 looks like!
🎄 TIP: Climb up the Arco da Rua Augusta for a stunning view over the square and the giant Christmas tree! It’s a great area to take pictures, and it is even more magical during the Christmas season! The lights are always turned on at 6 PM during the season, and it’s a unique vantage point! Book tickets here to save time!
Christmas decorations in Lisbon
Did you know Portugal is especially famous for its nativity scenes? You’ll find a beautiful one at Wonderland Lisboa, including baby Jesus, Joseph and Mary! Besides the nativity scenes, you’ll spot quaint Lisbon Christmas lights and beautiful decorations at Parque Eduardo VII.
TIP: Discover the best locations to see the Lisbon Christmas decorations!
The streets around Rua Augusta also boast tons of seasonal displays, especially in Chiado, where you’ll discover many shiny lights. The shopping centre Armazéns do Chiado is covered from head to toe in beautiful lights, and the square of Praça Luís de Camões will change into a winter wonderland.
Did you know?
The lights require a significant amount of energy, but the Lisbon city council has taken some fantastic measures in 2024. With the new LED technology, the municipality claims an 80% energy savings compared to traditional incandescent lamps.
The council also opted for biodegradable and recyclable plastics, allowing us to enjoy a greener holiday season! How amazing is that?
Where are the best Christmas lights in Lisbon?
- Armazéns do Chiado
- Praça Luís de Camões
- Praça do Comércio
- Rua Augusta and the parallel streets
- Rua do Carmo
- Avenida da Liberdade
- And many more!
A Christmas photo shoot in Lisbon
Want to make your Lisbon Christmas trip even more memorable? I offer limited photo shoots during December, where I’ll guide you on a 30- or 90-minute walk along Lisbon’s sparkling Christmas lights and capture the experience for you.
You’ll get natural, candid photos with festive Lisbon backdrops. Perfect for remembering your trip, sharing with family, or using for your holiday cards. Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, or with family, I’ll tailor the session to fit your vibe.
Note: These photo sessions are only available during December, so I recommend booking early. If you’re not in Lisbon during the holidays, I also offer shoots with Lisbon’s other scenic backdrops throughout the year.
Fun Christmas activities
One of the most popular tours in Lisbon during Christmas is a tuk-tuk tour to see the city’s dazzling lights! A tuk-tuk is one of the easiest ways to get around Lisbon, especially with the hills! But the driver will also know the best locations to see the lights and markets.
🎄 Reserve your spot:
- Book a private Christmas Lights Tour by Eco Tuk Tuk
- Or join me for a festive night photography walk through Lisbon and learn how to capture the seasonal lights like a pro.
A traditional Christmas meal in Lisbon
The holidays are a time to indulge, and in Portugal, that is no different. A Portuguese Christmas dinner is slightly different from the usual traditional dishes we might know. Consoada is the traditional dinner that is served on Christmas Eve.
Often, eating meat is avoided and substituted with fish or seafood. Usually, bacalhau (cod) is made, and the Christmas variation, Bacalhau da Consoada, is served with cabbage, boiled eggs, and potatoes. One of the tastiest traditions!
The family meal can be anything from roasted turkey to goat to lamb. Often, at least one meat option is included, and the dishes are served with seasonal vegetables. Cabrito assado no forno is another beloved dish that contains roasted lamb and crispy roast potatoes.
It can also be more common to see a turkey on the menu in restaurants. A fine glass of Portuguese wine accompanies your meal, and the cherry liqueur ginjinha is an excellent dessert choice.
Seasonal sweets
Speaking of desert… There are many options to choose from! Let’s start with the special Portuguese Christmas cake! You’ll see Bolo Rei, or King Cake, everywhere during the holidays. It looks like a wreath and usually has dried fruit, nuts, candied fruit and icing sugar on the top.
Bolo Rainha, or Queen Cake, is similar to Bolo Rei but has no candied fruit. It’s often eaten on January 6th during the Three Kings Day. Or look for Rabanadas that you’ll spot in most bakeries. It’s like French toast and also super easy to make at home.
Another traditional sweet is the Filhoses. It’s deep-fried and made with eggs, flour, and a bit of orange zest or pumpkin. Dip it into cinnamon to perfect its taste, and enjoy!
Another deep-fried crispy dessert is Azevias, a kind of apple turnover but with chickpeas and almonds instead. After it’s been fried, it’s caked in sugar and cinnamon!
Other sweets to try are the doughnut-like sonhos (sonhos means dreams), the oval sweet potato biscuits Broas de Natal, and Lampreia de Ovos.
Going out for dinner during the Christmas holidays
Thankfully, you don’t have to cook during Christmas in Lisbon if you don’t want to. Many restaurants will serve an unforgettable meal during your holiday in Lisbon. Favourite restaurants to enjoy a Christmas meal include Sebastião, Alma, Zazah, La Paparrucha, Seen, Adega Machado, and Belcanto.
Check beforehand if the restaurant is open and reserve a table, as many will most likely have customised opening hours during the festive season.
Enjoy a € 20,00 discount on your next meal! Reserve your table with the code 8362E39E on TheFork.
Things to do on Christmas Day in Lisbon
You might wonder… what is open during the holidays? As you might expect, most museums, sights, and shops are closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Be sure to check online if a place you wish to visit is actually open. Thankfully, you can still explore Lisbon and enjoy some of the local culture and sights.
Explore the beautiful neighbourhoods in Lisbon
What you can do, though, is walk off some of those Christmas calories and spend some time in nature. You can walk along the river Tagus from Lisbon’s city centre towards Belém. Or take the ferry to Cacilhas and walk along the river towards the Ponte 25 de Abril for a beautiful view over Lisbon. Fancy a walk on the beach? Then a visit to Cascais or Costa da Caparica is perfect.
Another lovely place to walk is the Alfama area. It’s the oldest neighbourhood in Lisbon and won’t be busy around the festive days. You’ll discover incredible viewpoints, narrow alleys and tiny streets.
The same goes for Bairro Alto. This neighbourhood is festive all year round, with many bars. A perfect place to spend a New Year’s Eve party! Or enjoy Christmas in Príncipe Real. This area is also renowned for its wonderful bars and exceptional restaurants.
Oceanário de Lisboa
Not everything is closed, and one of the favourite things to do amongst families is to visit the aquarium Oceanário de Lisboa!
The opening hours during the holidays are:
🎅 TIP: It will be busy, so it is best to reserve your tickets online!
Trams and metros run during the holidays, but less often. The closest station to the Oceanário de Lisboa is Oriente.
Attend Christmas mass
Many churches are open, and listening to Christmas carols during midnight mass is lovely. Missa do Galo’s religious tradition is the midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, which many local families attend.
There are masses on Christmas Eve and also on Christmas Day. It’s wise to check the time schedules of the church service at your preferred church. Also, note that some churches only allow locals due to space constraints.
Christmas shopping in Lisbon
When you’re in Lisbon in December and looking to do your Christmas shopping, there are many shops to discover. Firstly, visiting the Christmas markets will be lovely, and here you can purchase local produce and original artisanal Christmas gifts.
If you want to visit the shopping malls to buy gifts, Armazéns do Chiado, Colombo, and Almada Fórum might be the right place for you.
There are, however, many small shops in Lisbon where you can shop locally. If you want to buy Christmas ornaments, Nickolaus on Rua do Carmo 87 is a great place to start!
Next door, you’ll find another unique shop. It’s Luvaria Ulisses, where you can buy gloves. Perfect for bringing home if you live in a colder country! You’ll spot the shop easily as it has a beautiful neoclassical facade.
Tea lovers will love the chá from Companhia Portugueza do Chá. You can find literally every flavour from all over the world here. Or maybe you’re looking for some Portuguese gifts? Then, A Vida Portuguesa is a lovely shop to visit.
New Year’s activities
Are you staying until the New Year? Lisbon is a wonderful place to celebrate the most festive night of the year! Fireworks light up the sky at midnight, and there is a unique way to see it: from a boat! Some tours also offer drinks or even a full buffet on board!
🎆 Here are some fun activities for December 31st:
Happy New Year!
Where to stay in Lisbon during Christmas
If you want to be close to Lisbon’s Christmas highlights, booking a room around Rua Augusta or Parque da Liberdade is best.
Hotel Tivoli on Avenida da Liberdade or the Four Seasons at Marques de Pombal is fantastic if you want to splurge a little.
If you travel on a budget, Stay Hotel Lisboa, Lisbon Wine House, or Lisbon Garden Boutique Guest House might be a lovely place for you to stay. The Christmas period is a busy time again in the city, so book your accommodation in Lisbon on time!
FAQ
What’s Lisbon like at Christmas?
The Portuguese capital turns into a sparkling city during Christmas. The streets of Lisbon are decorated with lights and Christmas trees. And there are several Lisbon Christmas markets to visit. Lisbon is also great for doing some Christmas shopping.
Is everything closed on Christmas Day in Lisbon?
Many places, including restaurants, close around Christmas. Always be sure to check before visiting a sight. The aquarium is always open, and the Oceanário de Lisboa is a great place to spend time, whether by yourself or with your kids.
Does Lisbon have Christmas markets?
There are several Christmas markets to visit in Lisbon. The one on Rossio Square and Wonderland Lisboa are among the favourites.
Are you visiting Lisbon this Christmas?
Hopefully, these tips will be helpful when you visit Lisbon during Christmas and the holiday season. As you can see, there is a lot to see and do during the holiday season, and Portugal has its own Christmas traditions. Lisbon will transform into a winter wonderland in the sun, making it a wonderful place to visit in December.
Christmas markets, such as Wonderland Lisboa with its fun fair, the Campo Pequeno Christmas Market, and the Rossio Square Christmas Market, will be there. It makes the Portuguese capital a favourite place to spend the winter months. You can buy all the gifts for the home front or enjoy the cuisine at the markets in Lisbon.
Be sure to take some time for sightseeing when you spend Christmas in Lisbon and visit iconic places like Alfama, Bairro Alto, and Sintra. What else is there to do in Lisbon in winter? Check this article if you stay in winter or discover all things to do with rain in Lisbon. If you are staying until January, you can discover even more things to do in the city! Feliz Natal, or Merry Christmas!
Other events in Portugal:
- Carnaval Portugal with stunning outfits, parades, and dates
- Carnaval in Torres Vedras
- Celebrate the Carnation Revolution in Portugal on April 25th
- Celebrate Festas dos Santos Populares in Portugal in June
- Visiting the Óbidos Medieval Festival in Portugal in July
- Enjoy the unique Knights Templar Festival in Tomar in July
- Christmas in Lisbon
- Photography Experiences in Lisbon during Christmas
- Best Christmas markets in Lisbon
- Wonderland Lisboa: the largest Christmas market in Lisbon
- Where to find the most beautiful Lisbon Christmas lights
- Christmas in Óbidos
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