Thousands of people in Aliados to see the traditional inauguration of the Christmas tree
Porto.
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Not even the, occasional, rain that fell last night, scared away thousands of people from the inauguration of the traditional Christmas Tree, located in front of the building of the Porto City Hall, and the typical lighting of this season, that extends, this year, on more than 90 streets and squares in the city. The night got even brighter with the performance of Diogo Piçarra, in Avenida dos Aliados.
Whether for the first time or already as part of the tradition – like someone who came all the way from Alentejo or a Brazilian family, living in the city since 2018, who confess to already “having Porto in their heart” -, native Porto residents or tourists, everyone waited, together with thousands of people for the 6 p.m..
At first, the square went totally dark. Not even the rain, which appeared in the evening, seemed to bother. Nobody left, on the contrary, people were always arriving, taking advantage of the STCP, Metro and CP special services for this day (that will extend throughout the month).
And suddenly, the tree was full of light and colour, and everyone said “wow”. With mobile phone held high to record every moment. As a family, with friends, sweethearts, people of all ages and places, nobody wanted to miss the moment. In a safe environment with the presence, as usual, of the Polícia Municipal, Proteção Civil and PSP.
The opinion was unanimous. “It [the tree, 32 meters high] is beautiful and Porto becomes even more beautiful at this time of the year”, someone said, while making a video to post on Facebook and /or Instagram. Varying in colours and motifs it pleased both kids and adults. “From year to year, the programming is getting better”, highlighted a young woman,
Diogo Piçarra Concert
Long before 6 p.m. already thousands of people, mostly young ones, were waiting by the stage, located in Avenida dos Aliados, for another surprise of the night: Diogo Piçarra concert. After the inauguration of the Christmas tree, was time for the musician’s performance, who was very pleased to be back to Porto.
“Playing at Aliados is always special. The North never lets you down. I am always looking forward to coming back. I miss people”, confessed Diogo Piçarra to Porto., moments before the show began. Afterwards and for an hour and a half, he sang his greatest hits, with thousands singing along with him.
The stage, located in Aliados, will still host a range of sounds and artists who promise to make this Christmas even more diversified and multicultural.
Moreover, the city gains more light. This year, there are 90 streets with Christmas lights, with a total of 2,6 million LED lamps all over the city. In a partnership with Associação de Comerciantes do Porto, the lighting features 897 different motifs, in a diversity of shapes and sizes.
The Espelho d’Água, in Avenida dos Aliados, has lighting structures, simulating Christmas balls, and Praça Gomes Teixeira (also known as Praça dos Leões) also has a lighting structure two meters high. Two places where the Christmas lightings will operate, from Sunday to Thursday, from 6 to 11 p.m., and Fridays, Saturdays, and holiday’s eve, from 6 p.m. to midnight.