Economy

Thousands of partygoers have started to celebrate the Christmas season, this past weekend in Porto. The city Hall has in store a myriad of initiatives to journey into Christmas, and the kick-off event was the official lighting of the Xmas tree at Avenida dos Aliados, 1 December at 5.30 pm. The holiday season officially opened 1 December and will run till 7 January.

By nightfall, consider yourself invited: create your favourite itineraries through Porto and be dazzled by the Christmas lighting all across town. Keep your holidays spirits even brighter by visiting the 55 boulevards and plazas, dressed up in warm white and blue light delicate shapes, stars and ornaments, bells and swings for the outdoor.

This event was borne from the will to disseminate new chocolate trends, mixing and blending it with other products such as wine, spirits and liqueurs. The public can participate in workshops and chocolate and cocoa tastings. There will be special children's activities.

Revellers can head to Avenida dos Aliados on New Year's Eve and join the party to ring in the New Year. The firework spectacle at midnight will help enter 2018 with a bang. Artist Aurea kicks-off the concert evening, starting at 10.30 pm. The party continues with Amor Electro who will take the stage at twenty past midnight, after bottles of bubbly pop to mark the beginning of 2018.

Christmas is in town! As of December 1, Porto will officially open the holiday season with the Christmas lighting ceremony, starting at 5.30 pm in Aliados. As it has become tradition over the past few years, tens of thousands are expected to head to Avenida dos Aliados, in the town centre to partake the spirit of a festive town centre.

"Porto, talent incubator" is the theme of a news published by the weekly newspaper Expresso, last weekend. The two-page article provides facts to inform that investment undertakings in Porto and in the North region of Portugal created an estimated 8000 jobs over 3 years.

Porto comes alive with a five-week programme of concerts, dance and circus acts, street theatre, workshops, exhibitions, markets, ice-skating rinks, lots of entertainment, live music and dancing in the streets. Porto City Hall has selected the best entertainment agenda for this holiday season, beginning 1 December and running till 7 January.

The dates for the second edition of North Music Festival 2018 have already been set. The event is scheduled to happen 25 and 26 May, at the Customs Building in Porto. The full poster will be announced shortly.

December is the time to partake the holiday feeling on the streets and squares in Porto. Nearly 30 different events invite you to take part in all kinds of entertainment with family and friends. In addition to the usual programmes, the city also offers initiatives to celebrate this time of year.

Portugal and India have a close historical relation that is crucial to uphold by developing partnerships that are mutually rewarding. In this context, the Palácio da Bolsa played host to the India Business Event, 22 November. This entailed identifying and capitalising business opportunities and encouraging investment between the largest democracy in the world, namely the states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, and Porto.