Porto's Spectacular Holiday Season is Just around the Corner

November 5, 2024 - 1 minute read

It’s not too late to book a year-end, holiday season vacation in Porto and northern Portugal.

Special holiday events that are just around the corner include Porto’s holiday crafts fairs and Corrida de São Silvestre, as well as the city’s flamboyant Christmas decorations and New Year’s Eve fireworks.

Starting between early and mid-December, Porto’s artists and artisans take to the squares and streets to hawk their creations. Rather than one central Christmas market, the city hosts various feira do artesanato around town including the Mercado de Natal in the historic Jardim da Cordoaria.

In addition to the artisan and food stalls, this market also features a Bosque Encantado (Enchanted Forest) with 14 customized Christmas trees decorated by notable local artists, music and dance performances, a Parisian Carousel and even visit from Santa.

Starting and ending at Aliados plaza in front Porto’s City Hall, the annual Corrida de São Silvestre (Saint Silvester) footrace between Christmas and New Years Eve attracts upwards of 12,000 runners.

Competitive athletes take part in a time 10k race while anyone can run, walk or skip the lowkey 5k event. And because it takes place in the evening, the courses are lit by the city’s brilliant holiday light displays.

Read More

MERCADO DE NATAL – Jardim da Cordoaria

https://www.visitar-porto.com/en/whats-on/porto-events.html

https://www.runporto.com/pt/eventos/sao-silvestre-do-porto/sao-silvestre-do-porto-2023/

https://www.portugalrunning.com/eventos/sao-silvestre-porto-2024/