On a late November evening in Porto, the city does something magical. It flips a switch, and winter suddenly feels warmer! Streets hum with music, trees bloom with light, and the old stone facades seem to glow with holiday secrets hiding right behind the walls! Before you know it, you’re standing in a square with a cup of something hot in your hands, listening to distant guitars, and watching children chase reflections of Christmas lights across cobblestones.
So, if you’re wondering what December truly feels like in Porto, here’s how the city celebrates, sings, and sparkles its way into the new year!
Here are the 12 best events to attend in Porto in December 2025.
1. Porto Christmas Lights Switch-On
When: November 29, 2025, 6 p.m.
Where: Avenida dos Aliados
How much: Free
Well, this event does not take place in December per se, but if you do happen to be in Porto at the end of November, make sure to be on Avenida dos Aliados on November 29 to kick off the winter holiday season with the official lighting of Porto’s Christmas decorations!
Among them, the most spectacular is the huge Christmas tree waiting for you right in the center! You’ll even be able to delight in a video mapping show called Missão Nutcrackers, O Natal Chega à Cidade, projected onto the City Hall facade (definitely bring your kids!).
The evening’s highlight is a concert by Mariza, one of Portugal’s most beloved fado singers, accompanied by the Orquestra Jovens do Porto.
Make sure to arrive early if you want a good viewing spot, and dress warmly, because the riverside breeze can be quite crisp.
If you’re not in Porto on November 29, don’t worry! All the lights turn on at once every day at 5:30 p.m. until January 6, 2026.
2. Casa da Música: Christmas Concerts
When: December 6-23, 2025
Where: Casa da Música, Av. da Boavista 604-610 Piso 0
How much: Varies by event
Casa da Música, Porto’s architectural icon, fills December with a myriad of concerts! Orchestral Christmas classics, contemporary seasonal music, and even your favorite songs from performances and movies like The Nutcracker or Harry Potter!
Because the venue hosts multiple events throughout December, you can easily choose performances that fit your taste and schedule – no need to compromise. Just make sure to book your tickets early, especially for weekend performances.
And don’t forget that the building itself is worth visiting. It has been designed by architect Rem Koolhaas and is now considered a masterpiece of modern architecture.
3. Mercado de Natal at Praça da Batalha
When: November 28 – December 28, 2025
Where: Praça da Batalha
How much: Free
In December, Praça da Batalha becomes a delightful Christmas market known as Mercado da Alegria, with over 20 wooden chalets selling handmade toys, ceramics, jewelry, books, and regional delicacies. It’s that kind of place where you tell yourself that you’re just browsing…and then leave with bags full of incredible gifts and a belly full of seasonal treats.
Santa’s house is set up on Saturdays between 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., so make sure to bring your kids as well! Throughout the market, you’ll also find live music and workshops adding to the festive buzz. Because it’s so centrally located, near the São Bento station, you can easily combine your visit with exploring the Clérigos Tower or wandering down to the Ribeira waterfront afterward.
4. Porto Christmas Market at Cordoaria
When: November 29 – December 30
Where: Jardim da Cordoaria, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria
How much: Free
For a more relaxed, less touristy Christmas market experience, head to Cordoaria Garden! Like at other Christmas markets, you’ll find traditional trade stalls selling sweets, handicrafts, regional products, jewelry, and toys, plus street food options including hot chocolate and crepes (yummy!).
What makes it special is the atmosphere. Kids run around and the whole scene feels more like a neighborhood celebration than a tourist attraction.
Moreover, because it’s in one of Porto’s prettiest gardens, you can check it off your must-visit list. In addition, you can also combine your Christmassy Porto experience with a stroll through the surrounding historic streets, grabbing dinner afterward at one of the nearby traditional restaurants.​ Furthermore, you can visit Livraria Lello and Igreja do Carmo in the morning/early afternoon, and then spend your evening at the Christmas Market.
5. The Inspector Cluzo Concert
When: December 12, 2025, 8:30 PM
Where: Sala M.Ou.Co. (Hotel Mouco), R. de Frei Heitor Pinto 65
How much: 25 EUR
The acclaimed French blues-rock duo The Inspector Cluzo returns to Portugal to present their tenth album, Less Is More. The band has won over audiences worldwide with their unique approach and raw, energetic tunes. Their latest album, Horizon, made Classic Rock magazine’s 50 Best Albums of the Year list and graced the cover of French Rolling Stone.​
With over 1,200 shows in 67 countries under their belts, the band definitely knows how to deliver an unforgettable night!
6. Serralves Christmas Market
When: December 6-8, 2025
Where: Serralves Park, R. Dom João de Castro 210
How much: Free
The Serralves Christmas Market returns to one of Porto’s most beautiful parks. With more than 50 exhibitors presenting design pieces, gourmet products, Christmas decorations, toys, and accessories, it’s a treasure trove for anyone who wants to fill their luggage with presents for their loved ones.
Throughout the weekend, there will be free live concerts, performances, workshops, and creative family activities. Since it’s in the breathtaking Serralves Park, you can also explore the stunning gardens and perhaps visit the contemporary art museum before or after filling your belly with Porto’s best sweets while enjoying the Christmas market!​
7. Cristina Branco Concert
When: December 17, 2025, 9:00 p.m.
Where: Casa da Música – Sala Suggia, Av. da Boavista 604-610 Piso 0
How much: 20-30 EUR
Cristina Branco, one of Portugal’s finest singers, will pay tribute to legendary composer José Afonso at Casa da Música with a new album entitled Mulheres de Abril.
She’ll be accompanied by an exceptional quartet: Ricardo Dias on piano, Bernardo Moreira on double bass, Alexandre Frazão on drums, and Mário Delgado on electric guitar.
Therefore, if you want to experience Portuguese music culture in a cozy theater setting, don’t miss out on this concert. It’s undoubtedly a December highlight.
Hurry up and book your tickets, though, because there aren’t many left!
8. Capitão Fausto Concert
When: December 7, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Where: Avenida dos Aliados
How much: Free
Portuguese indie-rock favorites Capitão Fausto will perform on the Aliados stage on December 7, accompanied by the Orquestra da Academia de Música Costa Cabral.
This free outdoor concert is part of Porto’s official Christmas program, which means that it will be pretty crowded. Who wouldn’t want to listen to this band while delighting in the thousands of Christmas lights?
9. O Cravo e a Rosa – The Musical
When: December 6-7, 2025
Where: Super Bock Arena (Pavilhão Rosa Mota), Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, R. de D Manuel II
How much: 18-24 EUR
O Cravo e a Rosa is a Portuguese musical comedy based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. It will take place at the Super Bock Arena. It tells the story of a difficult relationship between Petruchio and ​Catarina: he, a farmer with financial struggles; she, a temperamental, wealthy woman.
Keep in mind that the performance is in Portuguese. If you already speak some Portuguese, you’ll probably be able to understand it. If you don’t speak it yet, now’s the perfect time to learn some new words, right? If you’ve read Shakespeare’s work, you’ll probably understand what’s happening anyway!
10. Natal ao Vivo Porto
When: December 7, 2025 (two sessions: 11:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.)
Where: Super Bock Arena (Pavilhão Rosa Mota), Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, R. de D Manuel II
How much: 18-40 EUR
Now, this is the event to book tickets for if you’re looking for a fun day spent with your kids! Natal Ao Vivo is one of the most beloved family Christmas shows in the city, and for good reason! It features characters like Santa, Peppa Pig, and more! Plus, it gets the whole family involved with sing-alongs and surprises that your children will find delightful!
11. Spiritus by Ocubo at Clérigos Church
When: Throughout the month
Where: Clérigos Church, R. de São Filipe de Nery
How much: 10 EUR
Spiritus offers a unique 30-minute 360-degree multimedia experience inspired by Fernando Pessoa’s poetry (one of the most iconic Portuguese writers), and it’s all happening inside the historic Clérigos Church, which is a landmark in itself!
This immersive show combines light, sound, and projections that play off the church’s baroque architecture, creating an atmospheric journey through Portuguese literature and spirituality.​
12. New Year’s Eve at Avenida dos Aliados
When: December 31, 2025 (festivities begin late evening, fireworks at midnight)
Where: Avenida dos Aliados
How much: Free
Say goodbye to 2025 while having fun at Porto’s biggest street party on Avenida dos Aliados. As the evening unfolds, the grand avenue slowly fills with locals and travelers, all carrying that special end-of-year energy: laughter, anticipation, and the promise of fresh beginnings.
When the clock strikes twelve, the sky above Porto will erupt in a spectacular fireworks display, reflecting off the Douro River and the historic rooftops. And, without a doubt, it’s a moment of shared joy! Strangers hugging, champagne corks popping, and the city pulsing with optimism for the year ahead!
