Are you planning to visit Lisbon in December? If so, get ready for sparkling lights, bustling markets, traditional treats, and plenty of holiday cheer.
Every winter, Lisbon comes alive with holiday spirit. With national holidays on the 1st and the 8th, and kids off school during the last two weeks of the month, there’s an atmosphere of celebration throughout all of December.
It’s also a time of contrasts, from busy last-minute shopping to the almost-empty streets in the days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
You’ll find visitors and locals alike searching for gifts, admiring the decorations downtown, snacking on seasonal delicacies, and enjoying the pleasantly chilly weather. Temperatures average around 9–15ºC (48–59ºF).
Read on to discover our favorite things to do in Lisbon in December.
What's Included
Stroll through Baixa to see the Christmas lights
December is probably the only time of year that some lisboetas (Lisbon locals) don’t mind being stuck in traffic—that is, if they’re lucky enough to have a commute that leads them under Lisbon’s stunning light displays.
The city’s holiday lights come to life at the end of November and are illuminated every evening through January 6th.
Many streets around the city have decoration, but the highest concentration of lights is definitely in the downtown area.
Admiring the decorations is definitely one of the best things to do in Lisbon in December. Wander down Avenida da Liberdade, through Baixa, and all the way to Praça do Comércio. There, you’ll find an enormous Christmas-tree-shaped light display that you can walk inside.
Discover the best Bolo Rei in Lisbon
Bolo Rei (King Cake) is the official cake of Christmas in Portugal. This crown-shaped confection has a consistency and flavor more similar to sweet brioche than actual cake. It’s baked with nuts, candied fruit, and various liqueurs, and topped with powdered sugar, and more candied fruit.
Traditionally, a single uncooked fava bean would be added to the dough; whoever got the slice with the bean would be responsible for baking or buying next year’s cake.
These days, it’s unlikely that you’ll find a fava bean in your Bolo Rei if you buy it from a store or bakery (due to food safety regulations). But if it’s homemade, you can still play along with this fun tradition.
Many locals swear that the Bolo Rei from Confeitaria Nacional is the best one in town. This was the first pastry shop to popularize King Cake in Lisbon, after its owner adapted the recipe from the French galette des rois in the late 19th century. Today, they sell it whole and by the slice. So, you can try it along with a coffee or tea while admiring the café’s intricate antique decor.
Browse a Christmas market for festive gifts
Lisbon’s Christmas markets may not be as famous as those of some other European capitals, but they’ve been gaining more and more attention in recent years. They’re a great alternative to crowded malls, enlivening the city’s traditional squares and shopping streets. Plus, they’re the perfect places to find authentic Lisbon souvenirs, and creative gifts.
You’ll find the most famous Christmas markets in Lisbon in Rossio Square (also known as Praça de Dom Pedro IV) and Praça do Município (home to City Hall), both in the Baixa neighborhood.
A bit farther uptown, the Mercado de Natal em Alvalade takes over Avenida da Igreja. You’ll find local small businesses, artisans, food, and music during the second and third weeks of December. It’s easily reachable from the city center by metro. Take the green line to the Alvalade stop.
Indulge your inner child at Wonderland Lisboa
Every year, from November 30th to January 1st, Parque Eduardo VII (next to Marquês de Pombal) transforms into the magical Wonderland Lisboa. This is much more than your average Christmas market, featuring an ice skating rink, a Ferris wheel, kiddie rides, festive performances and, of course, the chance to see Santa and his elves.
In short, it’s a Christmas dream come true for kids. Even adults will find it hard to resist the infectious holiday spirit. You’ll also find plenty of sweet treats to sample, from candy and chocolates to crêpes and gingerbread houses—plus more traditional local treats. There are also stands selling mulled wine, and seasonal cocktails for the grown-ups.
Local’s Tip: Wonderland Lisboa is open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day, so it’s a great place to go if you don’t have other holiday plans!
Sample seasonal sweets and street food
We’ve already mentioned the iconic Bolo Rei, but it’s far from the only holiday treat to try when visiting in Lisbon in December. We highly recommend reading our detailed guide to Portuguese Christmas foods and desserts, but here are a few highlights to look out for.
First there’s the classic street food snack that’s so ubiquitous, it often goes unnoticed: roasted chestnuts. Called castanhas assadas in Portuguese, these fragrant nuts are roasted right in their shells and sold in paper cones by the dozen or half dozen for a few euros. When the weather turns chilly, carts offering castanhas pop up on street corners all over the city.
Also keep your eye out for sonhos, which are kind of like doughnut holes: small balls of deep-fried dough often covered in cinnamon sugar. And for a real indulgence, find a cart selling churros and farturas: thick tubes of deep-fried dough that are similar to Spanish porras (essentially a larger and less-crispy version of churros).
Explore the empty streets on December 25th
On December 24th, it’s not unusual to see lisboetas busy buying last-minute gifts or ingredients for Christmas Eve dinner. Many shops and pastelarias are open late, although most people pre-order sweets and baked goods to pick up (if you don’t, you’ll be stuck with whatever’s left).
However, once the sun rises on Christmas Day, everything goes almost entirely silent. Public offices and most shops and restaurants close on December 25th. Most people spend the day at home with family, and kids take the chance to enjoy their presents. In Portugal, gifts are often exchanged on the night of the 24th, rather than the morning of the 25th.
If you’re in Lisbon on Christmas Day without commitments, the best thing to do is to simply walk around. The streets are almost empty, creating a rare atmosphere of peace and quiet in the Portuguese capital.
If the weather is nice, you might even be able to go to the beach and—if you’re brave—take a bracing dip in the ocean.
Ring in the New Year with free concerts and fireworks
As early as October, you’ll start to see flyers and ads for New Year’s Eve parties at Lisbon’s nightclubs, restaurants, and hotels. But the favorite place for locals to ring in the New Year is still Praça do Comércio—where there’s no dress code or entry fee.
Since January 1st is a public holiday, most people can stay up late without worrying about work the next day.
Bring your own bottle of espumante (sparkling Portuguese wine, essentially the local version of Champagne) and don’t forget the 12 raisins. The tradition is to eat one at each strike of the clock, while making 12 wishes. This is similar to Spain’s tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight, but much easier thanks to the size of the raisins.
If you really want to set yourself up for success, wear blue underwear too. This will supposedly guarantee a prosperous year.
Whether you’re superstitious or not, the free concerts and spectacular fireworks show above the Tagus River make it well worth it to join the midnight crowds on Lisbon’s waterfront.
Update Notice: This post was updated on August 9, 2024.
