During the holidays, I don’t need a reason to go to the Christmas markets in Porto. I like to go there to see happy faces, friends gathering together, the charming Christmas lightnings…
And Porto, with its mild temperatures and airy squares, is asking for you to go shopping on the small markets, instead of going to shopping malls where all the shops look exactly the same!
So I decided to write this article of the best Christmas markets in Porto! But before we get there, I will tell you some other important information regarding the Christmas season in Porto.
No time to read a long article? Here’s a summary
- There are TONS of Christmas markets in Porto and they mostly take place on the weekends of December.
- Christmas markets for design lovers: take place at the Serralves foundation on Nov 30th and Dec 1st. The Urban Market is also a great one.
- Best traditional Christmas markets in Porto: Jardim da Cordoaria and Mercado da Alegria.
- Don’t forget to book your accommodation for the Christmas season in Porto.
- Best Christmas event in Porto: multimedia show at our beloved Clérigos church.
Christmas season in Porto: what you need to know
Most hotels in Porto are already sold out for Christmas 2024
I have been getting a lot of emails from local hotels and apartments telling me that they are already sold out for 2024. If you are not from Porto and you haven’t booked your place to stay during Christmas holidays in the city, I want to help out.
I cannot possibly know what properties are available every single until Christmas, but I can connect you to Porto’s page on Booking.com so that you can find the best deals still available.
The best way to enjoy your Christmas in Porto is to go around with a local friend
The best way to explore Porto during the holidays is to join one of our private tours, where me and my fantastic team will give you inside information on how to best take advantage of your time in our city. Let’s meet soon! 🙂
This is THE BEST Christmas event in Porto in 2024
I cannot thing of a better activity to do in Porto around Christmas other than to be dazzled by a multimedia show at our beloved Clérigos church – in my opinion, the most beautiful church in the city.
The show lasts around 30 minutes and it is inspired by a poem of Álvaro de Campos, the pseudonym of the most famous Portuguese writer of all time, Fernando Pessoa.
I won’t tell you more about what you’ll see (so as not to spoil the surprise!), so I’ll just tell you that the effect of the lights projected on the oval walls of the Clérigos Church, the music and the colors create a beautiful and unforgettable effect.
This show is only available until the 8th of January and has very limited seats, so I recommend you to get your tickets online. To make sure you don’t miss out on this great experience! And if the weather is nice, it is worth it to get the ticket to Climb the Clérigos tower. as the view from the top is stunning 🙂
Local tip: get there earlier in order to to sit in the back seats, from where you have a better panoramic view of the church 😉
What you should know about Christmas markets in Porto
We don’t have A centralised Christmas market but rather small Christmas markets in Porto, spread all over the city, where you can find traditional Christmas decoration stuff, but also traditional Portuguese food products, urban design and much more.
Moreover, we don’t have snow, nor glue wine. But that is a good thing, because glue wine s***s. There, I said it 😛
On the other hand, we have a very welcoming weather. More importantly, our City Hall organises 5 weeks Christmas programme with plenty of activities such as choirs, street animation, concerts and workshops.
You can read my Complete guide to Christmas in Porto, as it congregates the best events.
And, as usual, if you want to make the most of the holidays season in Porto, make sure to book one of our private tours – we are already sold out for a lot of the dates around Christmas!
Given this introduction, let me introduce you to…
…the best Christmas markets in Porto 2024!🙂
Christmas market in Serralves’ Foundation
I have written countless times about the Serralves Foundation, that consists of a fantastic contemporary museum surround by romantic gardens. And this Christmas, Serralves gardens will open its doors to one of the best Christmas markets in Porto, congregating national producers and brands.
From November 30th to December 1st 2024, you can buy gourmet products, organic and seasonal foods, creative Christmas gifts and products that inspire a more sustainable lifestyle, discover the latest design news and participate in workshops and activities for the whole family.
The entrance to the Christmas market will be free, but if I were you I would also take the opportunity to visit the gardens as well as the contemporary museum, because they are sensational.
Address: Rua Dom João de Castro, 210.
Schedule: November 30th to December 1st, from 10h to 19h.
How to get there: the buses 203 and 207 stop right in front of Serralves.
Christmas Market at Jardim da Cordoaria
This year, one of the best Christmas markets in Porto will take place at the lovely Jardim da Cordoaria from November 30th to December 23rd 2024. It will be beautifully decorated with 14 Christmas trees painted by talented urban artists, transforming the garden into an authentic winter wonderland! 🎄
At this Christmas market, you can buy a variety of regional products, including handicrafts, jewelry, handmade toys, clothing, and food products.
Additionally, there will be a Santa’s House open on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 16h to 18h, a charming Parisian Carousel, and a natural ice rink (the latter is located right next to Jardim da Cordoaria, at Largo do Amor de Perdição). Here are the opening hours:
There will also be musical and theatrical performances around the market, taking place at both the garden’s bandstand and at Largo do Amor de Perdição. Save the dates and make sure to enjoy the festive atmosphere 😊
Address: Jardim da Cordoaria
Schedule: November 30th to December 23rd 2024
These are the opening hours:
- Mondays to Thursdays: 11h to 20h
- Fridays and national holidays eves: 11h to 21h
- Saturdays: 10h to 21h
- Sundays: 10h to 20h
How to get there: São Bento subway station is a 9-minute walking distance.
Urban Market – Christmas Edition
This particular market has not released yet the information for the 2024 edition!
In December 2023 our famous Urban Market will once again bring a Christmas edition!
This is one of the few Christmas markets in Porto entirely focused on the work of Portuguese designers.
There will be vendors of jewelry, illustration, painting, fashion and well-being coloring the noble salon of Ateneu Comercial of Porto. It’s a good opportunity to meet the creators behind each of the brands, from December 15th to the 23rd, 2024. There will also be food options, with personalized baskets.
Address: Ateneu Comercial of Porto
Schedule: from December 15th to the 23rd, from 10h to 20h.
How to get there: São Bento subway station is a 10 minutes walking distance.
Flea Market
This particular market has not released yet the information for the 2024 edition!
The Flea Market is regarded as one of the coolest markets in Porto, where you can find pretty much everything, from vintage vinyls to clothing, furniture, accessories, etc. There is also a section selling Christmas sweets and harm drinks, to help you fight the cold.
The Christmas edition of 2023 will take place in Praça da República, a square near the city centre. Because this Christmas market in Porto takes place at an open space, make sure to bring warm clothes and good shoes.
Address: Praça da República
Schedule: 16th of December 2023, from 13h to 18h
How to get there: the subway station Lapa is a 10 minutes walking distance.
Mercado da Alegria
The Christmas Market at Praça da Batalha, with 23 exhibitors and a Santa Claus house right in the centre, is one of the oldest and most traditional Christmas markets in Porto 🙂
There will be, as always, cozy wooden houses showing off all sorts of local goodies like jewelry, clothes, toys, crafts, nativity scenes, and yummy regional sweets 🙂 It’s a great market to take the little ones to.
Address: Praça da Batalha
Schedule: November 29th to December 29th 2024
- Sundays to Thursdays: 10h to 20h
- Fridays and Saturdays: 10h to 21h
How to get there: the subway station São Bento is a 5 minutes walking distance.
Christmas Fair at Mercado do Bolhão
This particular market has not released yet the information for the 2024 edition!
This is a very important year for Mercado do Bolhão, the iconic centenary market in Porto, since its 1st Christmas Fair is taking place on December 14th, 15th, and 16th!🎄
Alongside their regular stalls, there’ll be 22 temporary ones with a focus on traditional Christmas goodies. Eighteen of these are all about delicious and traditional Christmas food, while the remaining four are dedicated to non-food products. You can also count with Christmas concerts and shows in Bolhão Market during this festive season.
Address: Mercado do Bolhão
Schedule: December 14th, 15th, and 16th.
How to get there: Bolhão subway station is a 3-minute walking distance.
Artes & Ofícios do Porto – Christmas Market
The Christmas Market Artes & Ofícios do Porto will take place from December 1st to 23rd on Avenida D. Afonso Henriques, right next to São Bento train station and Porto’s cathedral.
This event, which brings together 20 exhibitors in picturesque wooden houses, stands out for its strong focus on national handicrafts: ceramics, wood, leather, cork, cutlery, textiles, macramé, toys, personal accessories, costume jewelry, nativity scenes and traditional delicacies, and much more!🙂
Address: Avenida D. Afonso Henriques
Schedule: November 29th to December 29th 2024, from 11h to 20h.
How to get there: São Bento subway station is a 1-minute walking distance.
Christmas markets in Porto’s suburbs
Christmas market at the WOW (World of Wine)
The World of Wine (WoW) is the newest venture of the Fladgate Partnership, the owner of some of the best Port wine lodges. It basically consists of five museums and some (pricey) restaurants with outdoor seating with a fantastic view of Ribeira neighborhood.
From November 23rd to January 6th, WOW promises to be a must-see during this festive season!
To kick off this special time of year, they will illuminate their fantastic 13-meter Christmas tree in the WOW Central Square on November 23rd. The celebration, starting at 18h30, includes various activities such as musical concerts, a delightful Christmas carousel, visits with Santa Claus, trampolines, inflatables, and a charming Christmas Market – perfect for bringing the kids 🙂
As for the Christmas market per se, it will take place on the weekends starting on November 23rd, and from December 14th every single day until Christmas day. There will also be a gastronomic market as well (I am not sure what it consists of!)
Address: Rua do Choupelo 39, in Vila Nova de Gaia
Schedule: on the weekends of November 23rd & 24th, then November 30th & December 1st, then December 6th to December 8th and, finally, every single day from December 14th every until Christmas day. The opening hours are from 12h to 20h.
How to get there: the subway station General Torres is a 15 minutes walking distance.
Matosinhos’ Christmas market
The traditional craft fair in Matosinhos (FaMa), a nearby city where you can find incredible seafood restaurants, will become a Christmas market in 2024. There will be around 81 artisans from all around the country, who will sell Portuguese cheeses and sausages, chocolates, design products, books, clothing and jewelry, among other things to wear, to decorate the house and to eat.
The market can be visited every day, with free entry, at Jardim Basílio Teles, in front of the City Hall of Matosinhos. Take my advice and after / before going to this Christmas market, have a sweet or savoury pastry at Padaria Ribeiro. Everything there is to die for, trust me on this!
Additionally, I recommend you to attend the Christmas Concert at the Bom Jesus Church in Matosinhos on December 16th at 21h30 (free entrance). It is just a 10-minute walk from the Christmas Market and it is really worth it 🙂
Address: Jardim Basílio Teles, in Matosinhos
Schedule: 22nd of November to 23rd of December 2024
- Sundays to Thursdays: 11h to 19h30
- Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays: 12h to 23h
How to get there: the subway station Câmara de Matosinhos is a 5 minutes walking distance.
Maia’s Christmas Market
Another Christmas Market, located just a 25-minute metro ride from Porto, is in the city of Maia. The goal of the market is to promote and showcase handicrafts, gastronomy, and local products such as chocolates, cheeses, sausages, cookies, liqueurs, jams, and other local delicacies.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, there will be a Santa’s House, an ice rink, a Parisian carousel, and a Christmas Parade – Santa Claus is scheduled to arrive in Maia on December 8th, at 17h30! Make sure to save the date 😉
Address: Praça Doutor José Vieira de Carvalho
Schedule: November 29th 2024 to January 5th, 2025
- Mondays to Thursdays: 17h to 22h
- Fridays: 17h to 23h
- Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: 15h to 23h
- 24th and 31st of December: 10h to 15h
How to get there: Maia (Câmara) subway station is a 1-minute walking distance.
Christmas Market in Leça da Palmeira
I am quite excited about this Christmas market in particular because my parents live in Leça da Palmeira, a city located by the Atlantic ocean, around 25 minutes driving distance from Porto 🙂
This Christmas Market in Porto will offer a selection of gastronomic products, local crafts and many options for Christmas gifts. The program also includes children’s shows, music, dance, theater performances and other special moments that promise to delight visitors of all ages.
Address: Parque Eng.º Fernando Pinto de Oliveira.
Schedule: December 13th to the 22nd, 2024.
How to get there: unfortunately there is no practical way of getting to Leça da Palmeira by public transportation, since there is no subway there and the buses take forever. I recommend you to get an Uber!
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