Christmas & New Year in Lisbon 2023

Christmas & New Year in Lisbon 2022

Come to Lisbon for some Festive fun and wish all those hot Portuguese guys a Feliz Natal (Merry Christmas) and Feliz Ano Novo (Happy New Year)! Lisbon is a city full of traditions, and those traditions come alive even more in the lead up to Christmas and New Year.

• For those looking for a treat this Christmas in Lisbon, consider the Valverde Hotel a 25 room perfectly preserved 19th-century townhouse turned boutique hotel, truly sublime and beautifully decorated for the holiday season.

The Christmas Markets

The streets of Lisbon come alive in the winter with lights, music and attractions, perfect for browsing in the warm Portuguese winter.

• Wonderland Lisboa – Eary December – From Monday to Thursday – 12 pm to 9 pm, 12 pm on Friday and Saturday.
  The Christmas spirit fills the Parque Eduardo VII, transforming it into a “Wonderland”! As usual, the Ferris wheel will be there to offer spectacular views over the city, alongside an ice rink. Other attractions include live performances and a Santa village. Admission to Wonderland Lisboa is free, with charges for the various attractions.
• Rossio Square Christmas Market – Rossio Mercado de Natal – Late November, Daily from 12 pm to 8 pm.
  Discover an eclectic mix of handmade gifts and local and regional products in the heart of Lisbon, in Baixa, near the Barrio Alto. Enjoy a glass of delicious hot wine in between your shopping expeditions. Rossio Square is the market to visit for authentic Portuguese treats.
• Christmas Market At Campo Pequeno  – Dates to be confirmed – Browse from over 100 different exhibitors selling a wide range of gift items, from vintage clothes and jewellery to collector toys and more. All items are of Portuguese origin.
• Natalis – Returns in 2023 The Feira Internacional de Lisboa convention centre is taken over by Christmas cheer. The market plays host to areas dedicated to shopping, cooking demonstrations, crafts and gourmet food.
• Óbidos Vila Natal – Late November to Early January – One hour’s drive north of Lisbon, you will find Óbidos, a quaint little village that turns into a Christmas wonderland during December. The town is famous for its MEdieval Castle, which provides the perfect backdrop for the market, skating rink and fairground. You should also try their delicious Ginja, a festive sour cherry liqueur.

Where to stay

• Brown’s | Central Hotel is a charming 4-star hotel with a Superb rating in the heart of Lisbon with delicious breakfast options and unique decor.
• Check out the top hotels closest to Lisbon’s gay bars.

Gay Lisbon

• Gay bars in Lisbon line the streets of the Principe Real area and Barrio Alto. Most of the bars in Principe Real get busier earlier than in Barrio Alto, where the scene is mixed with an anything-go attitude. It takes about ten minutes-drive to get between the two barrios.
• Begin your evening at Side Bar and try one of their delicious cocktails. Bearded, beary and hunky guys and their friends and admirers congregate at TR3S Lisboa one of gay Lisbon’s busiest venues. Other options include Shelter Bar, another popular bear haunt with fun dance nights.
• Staying at the Memmo Príncipe Real, close to the centre of Lisbon’s gay nightlife scene. The design hotel is tucked away in a quiet corner, with large rooms and high-end amenities.

Dining out

Party after a great meal. These are our favourite restaurants in the gay district.

• A Cevicheria is an intimate restaurant service delicious ceviche and seafood dishes with an Asian twist. Try their pisco sours.
• K.O.B. is perfect for meat lovers. The restaurant has a fabulous art deco interior and an excellent wine list.
• La Paparrucha offers breathtaking views and a modern take on the Argentinian grill.
• Tapisco Lisboa A blend of Spanish tapas and Portuguese pestiscos, Tapisco is all about sharing food at the table.

Late Night & New Year Parties

• New year’s in Lisbon has many names, Le Réveillon, São Silvestre, and Passagem de Ano. Midnight fireworks welcome the new year across the city.
• The biggest and most popular party and fireworks display happen at Praça do Comércio (Terreiro Do Paco), the big square in Lisbon. Entry is free, and there’s live music from around 10 pm. Belém is another popular destination and is less hectic than Praça do Comércio.
• Trumps, the best and biggest gay club in Lisbon, is at the heart of the lively gay quarter, Príncipe Real. The club is famous for its drag performers and go-go boys and gets busy from 2 am, after the bars have closed. Running for over 35 years, the club is a Lisbon institution.
• Finalmente is poplar with more laid back. Thanks to the club’s raised dance floor, this small but legendary club is popular with those exhibitionists who love to dance.

Recommended Hotels in Lisbon

The following hotels all close to the city’s top attractions and Christmas markets

Lisboa Carmo Hotel,    The Lumiares Hotel & Spa   HF Fenix Garden,    The Late Birds Lisbon