If you’re planning a trip to Lisbon in January, you’re in for a treat. While the rest of Europe might be freezing, Lisbon keeps things mild and manageable. You can expect temperatures averaging between 8 °C and 15 °C, with plenty of crisp, sunny days that are perfect for walking. It’s definitely jacket weather, but you likely won’t need a heavy parka, just some comfortable layers for when the sun goes down. Still, pack an umbrella, as showers are quite common in January!
January is also one of the smartest times to visit. The holiday crowds have dispersed, the city feels more local, and the winter sales are in full swing if you’re up for a shopping session! Plus, the cultural calendar is packed with everything from final festive celebrations to spectacular orchestral concerts and ballet performances!
Ready to kick off 2026 in style? Here are 16 incredible events to attend in Lisbon in January 2026!
1. New Year’s Concert
When: January 1, 2026
Where: Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB), Praça do Império
How much: 21-35 EUR
There is no better way to start 2026 than with the Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra’s traditional New Year’s Concert at the CCB! This annual performance is a beloved local tradition and offers a lively and sophisticated repertoire that usually includes waltzes and polkas!
The CCB itself is a stunning venue in the Belém district, so you can combine it with a morning walk by the Tagus River and a Pastel de Belém nearby or an early dinner with a fantastic view of the 25th of April Bridge! Tickets are very affordable for the quality of the performance, but the event is almost sold out!
2. Wonderland Lisboa (Final Days!)
When: Until January 4, 2026
Where: Parque Eduardo VII
How much: Free entry, pay-per-ride
If you arrive early in the month, you still have a chance to catch the tail end of Lisbon’s biggest festive village! Wonderland Lisboa runs through the first weekend of January, which gives you one last opportunity to ride the giant Ferris wheel for panoramic views of the city or skate on the ice rink.
Since it’s the closing weekend, the atmosphere is often more relaxed than the December rush, but the magic is 100% still there. So, grab a hot chocolate or a delicious fartura and enjoy a walk through the park before the decorations come down for another year!
3. Swan Lake (O Lago dos Cisnes)
When: January 3 and January 24, 2025
Where: Coliseu dos Recreios, R. das Portas de Santo Antão 96
How much: 37-47 EUR
Ballet lovers are spoiled for choice this January with two productions of Swan Lake gracing the stage of the historic Coliseu dos Recreios. This romantic masterpiece, with its timeless Tchaikovsky score, is the perfect sophisticated evening out. Without a doubt, Swan Lake performed by the Tchaikovsky National Ballet is absolutely a must-see cultural event, even if you’re not necessarily a ballet lover!
Plus, the Coliseu’s circular hall and ornate ceiling provide a stunning backdrop for this incredible performance.
4. Lisbon Film Orchestra: “Our Stories”
When: January 10, 2026
Where: MEO Arena, Rossio dos Olivais
How much: 22-55 EUR
If you love movie soundtracks, this event is something that you simply can’t miss. The Lisbon Film Orchestra returns to the massive MEO Arena for their “Our Stories” concert. Led by Maestro Nuno de Sá, this show features over 100 artists on stage performing the most iconic themes from cinema and TV series.
Let’s not forget the most important detail: it’s an immersive experience where the music is synchronized with giant screen projections of the films. The show consistently sells out, so grab your tickets now!
5. Cerith Wyn Evans Exhibition: “Forms in Space”
When: Starts January 10, 2026
Where: MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology), Av. Brasília
How much: 15 EUR (General Museum Admission)
Art lovers, this one’s for you! The MAAT is launching a major new installation by the Welsh conceptual artist, sculptor, and film-maker Cerith Wyn Evans. Titled Forms in Space… by Light (in Time), this monumental exhibition features complex neon light sculptures suspended in the museum’s Oval Gallery. It’s a visual performance that plays with perception, light, and architecture.
To quote Cerith Wyn Evans, my approach […] offers a space for meditation and a place for reverie around the transfer of energy.
Furthermore, on January 10, you can also attend the screening of short films directed by Cerith Wyn Evans and Steve Farrer (between 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.) and a musical performance by Pedro Melo Alves (between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.). On January 31, you can attend the conversation between Cerith Wyn Evans and Pedro Melo Alves, as well as another musical performance by the latter.
The MAAT is worth visiting for the building alone. Its futuristic, wave-like architecture allows you to walk over the museum roof for incredible river views.
6. The Nutcracker (O Quebra-Nozes)
When: January 4 and January 16, 2026
Where: Coliseu dos Recreios, R. das Portas de Santo Antão 96
How much: 237-47 EUR
Even though Christmas has passed, the magic continues with The Nutcracker performed by the Tchaikovsky National Ballet. This family-friendly ballet is a January tradition in Lisbon and tells the enchanting story of Clara, the Mouse King, and the Sugar Plum Fairy.
This ballet is actually one of Tchaikovsky’s best-known works and captures the imagination of both children and adults.
7. Otaku Symphony Orchestra
When: January 17, 2026
Where: Coliseu dos Recreios, R. das Portas de Santo Antão 96
How much: 42-52 EUR
Calling all anime and gaming fans! The Otaku Symphony Orchestra is bringing a unique concert to Lisbon dedicated entirely to the music of Japanese animation and video games. Expect to hear symphonic performances of your favorite tracks from series like Naruto, One Piece, and Dragon Ball, as well as gaming classics like Super Mario Bros, The Legend of Zelda, and Sonic.
The atmosphere at these concerts is incredibly spirited, especially since many attendees often show up in cosplay!
8. Sporting CP vs. Casa Pia
When: January 18, 2026
Where: Estádio José Alvalade, Rua Professor Fernando da Fonseca
How much: Varies
If you’re visiting Lisbon in January, you have the incredible opportunity to experience the electric atmosphere of Portuguese football. Defending champions Sporting CP will take on Casa Pia in a local Lisbon derby. While not as heated as a match against Benfica, these smaller derbies are fantastic for visitors because tickets are easier to get, yet the stadium energy remains high.
Estádio José Alvalade is modern, colorful, and easily accessible by metro (Green/Yellow lines). Arrive early to see the famous juve leo fans chanting and to grab a bifana (pork sandwich) from a food truck outside the stadium. It’s an essential part of the matchday experience!
9. Militarie Gun Concert
When: January 22, 2026
Where: LAV – Lisboa Ao Vivo, Av. Mar. Gomes da Costa 29 B1
How much: ~20 EUR
If you prefer intimate, high-energy gigs over stadium shows, hurry up and get your ticket for the American hardcore punk band Militarie Gun’s concert at LAV, a favorite among local music fans.
The venue is located close to Parque das Nacoes, an up-and-coming artistic district. It’s a great excuse to explore this grittier, cooler side of Lisbon, which is packed with craft breweries and art spaces.
10. Capitão Fausto
When: January 24, 2026
Where: MEO Arena, Rossio dos Olivais
How much: 27-32 EUR
Capitão Fausto is one of the most beloved Portuguese indie-rock bands of the last decade. Their sound is a catchy mix of psychedelic pop and rock with distinctly Portuguese lyrics that the whole crowd will be singing along to. So, if you want to experience some bit of Portuguese culture, this is your best choice in January, but the event is almost sold out, so hurry up and get your tickets!
Since MEO Arena is located in Parque das Nações, you can watch the sunset (it’s absolutely incredible in January), have dinner, and then head to the concert.
11. Electric Callboy World Tour
When: January 25, 2026
Where: MEO Arena (Sala Tejo), Rossio dos Olivais
How much: 42 EUR
Get ready for a wild night! The German electronicore sensation Electric Callboy brings their World Tour to Lisbon for what promises to be one of the greatest shows of the month. Known for their humorous videos, catchy choruses, and heavy breakdowns, their live performances are essentially a massive rave mixed with a metal concert.
The show takes place in Sala Tejo (the smaller hall of the MEO Arena complex), which means it will feel packed and intense – exactly how this music should be experienced. Plus, you’ll also have the opportunity to listen to Bury Tomorrow and Wargasm, as they’ll open the concert.
12. Pedro Abrunhosa
When: January 31, 2026
Where: MEO Arena, Rossio dos Olivais
How much: 49 EUR
Closing out the month is a true giant of Portuguese music. Pedro Abrunhosa is a singer-songwriter known for his poetic lyrics, signature sunglasses, and a career spanning over 30 years. His concerts are undoubtedly emotional journeys, often blending rock, jazz, and soul.
It goes without saying that Pedro Abrunhosa is a master performer who knows how to command a stadium. Expect a long setlist full of hits that everyone in the audience will know by heart. Even if you won’t be able to sing along, you’ll have a truly incredible cultural experience during your stay in Lisbon.
13. Dia de Reis (Three Kings’ Day)
When: January 6, 2026
Where: Throughout the city
How much: Free
In Portugal, the holiday season officially wraps up on Dia de Reis. While it’s not a public holiday, it’s a day steeped in tradition. You’ll hear traditional Janeiras (New Year’s carols) being sung in some neighborhoods and churches, while families will be gathering for one last festive meal.
The real star of the day, however, is the Bolo Rei (King Cake). This is your last chance to delight in this crystallized fruit-covered crown-shaped cake before the season ends.
14. Exponoivos (Wedding Expo)
When: January 10-11, 2026
Where: MEO Arena (Sala Tejo), Rossio dos Olivais
How much: 10 EUR
Okay, this might seem niche, but Exponoivos is a massive event in Lisbon’s calendar. If you are planning a wedding (or just love the industry), this is the place to be this month. It’s the country’s largest wedding fair, featuring runway shows, dress designers, photographers, and venue scouts from all over Portugal.
Even if you aren’t tying the knot, the event takes place at Parque das Nações, so you can easily drop by while exploring the Oceanário or the Vasco da Gama shopping center. It’s a lively, high-energy event that gives you a peek into the glamorous side of Portuguese wedding celebrations.
15. Simfonia Fantástica de Berlioz
When: January 18, 2026
Where: Centro Cultural de Belém (Grande Auditório), Praça do Império
How much: 12-25 EUR
If you love grand, cinematic classical music, block out the evening of January 18 for Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique at the CCB. This special concert brings together the Portuguese Chamber Orchestra and the Portuguese Youth Orchestra under the baton of Pedro Carneiro.
The program opens with the world premiere of a new work signed by the young Portuguese composer Francisco Fontes, commissioned especially for this occasion, and continues with the Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14.
16. Hollywood Symphony Orchestra: John Williams & Hans Zimmer
When: January 18, 2026
Where: Coliseu dos Recreios, R. das Portas de Santo Antão 96
How much: 42-52 EUR
Film score enthusiasts will be thrilled by the Hollywood Symphony Orchestra’s tribute to two living legends of cinematic music: John Williams and Hans Zimmer. This grand concert brings the heroism of Williams’ iconic themes (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park) directly to the stage of Lisbon’s historic Coliseu dos Recreios.
The program then shifts to Zimmer’s modern masterpieces, evoking the ancient grandeur of Gladiator, the mind-bending tension of Inception, the incredible energy of Pirates of the Caribbean, and the epic scope of the Dark Knight trilogy and The Lion King!
