Christmas

The project “Adventário”, which translates as the Calendar of the Advent, was organised by the municipal company Ágora to bring the magic of Xmas to everyone’s homes during December. It is now available on video. Well-known personalities told Christmas stories each day, from 1 to 24 December, at 9.30pm. Time to check them out! Enjoy!

The Municipality of Porto wishes everyone a Merry Christmas! May this holiday season be full of peace and joy!

It is hard not to notice the label indicating that a shop or store offers direct discount of 2 euros per each 20-euro buy. This campaign was launched by Porto City Hall to help boost local retailers and traditional trade during this festive season, amid the ongoing pandemic. The label resembles Xmas decorations and marks the stores that have adhered to this municipal campaign by the Municipality of Porto, in partnership with the Association of Traders of Porto.

The Municipal Library Almeida Garrett (BMAG) offers Christmas Tales and Creative workshops on 22nd December, at 11am. The activity is targeted at children over the age of three. The session takes about 1 and a half hour and children must be accompanied by one adult. Prior application is mandatory via the email bmp@cm-porto.pt.

Coliseu Porto Ageas welcomes a bundle of talents, most of them Portuguese speaking artists that will be in the circus arena for your delight. The run of shows starts on 11th December 2020 and goes until 3rd January 2021. There are amazing acts as gymnastics trapeze, balancing acts or breath-taking acrobatics, mind blowing juggling and a live orchestra.

The festive season is not the same without the merriment of Xmas markets and fairs; and while complying with all the protective health measures to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, it is still possible to visit these traditional stalls and find that one gift you’ve been longing for.

The Christmas Window competition is back this 2020, and it runs until 17th December. The jury of the competition received 145 applications, but as much as 138 entries made it to the contest for best ornamented Xmas shop window, as seven applications were not appropriated or were cancelled by the shop owners.

Porto City Hall will hand out 150 thousand discount vouchers to the city traders to compensate them for the pandemic distress. As such, for each 20 euros spent in street trading, traditional trade and local trade, customers will be granted a 2-euro direct rebate.

Rui Moreira, Mayor of Porto, announced on 30th November that the Municipality is preparing measures to support local traders in the Christmas business. Owing to the new coronavirus pandemic, local retailers are threatened by the sharp drop in sales. Also, this year the Municipality decided that no giant Xmas tree swill stand out in Avenida dos Aliados, and instead the amount will be destined to support the package of measures to help local retailers.

Although in a different year, celebrating Xmas is more important than ever, and even if there will be no Xmas tree standing in the Avenida dos Aliados this year, there will be plenty of light in the streets to celebrate the jolly season, as this is “the season to be merry!”. In addition, Porto City Hall, via Ágora created the “Adventário”, a project targeted at the younger audiences and whose goal is to celebrate Xmas, this time in the digital platforms.