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, a few important things…
Most hotels in Porto are already sold out for Christmas 2023
I have been getting a lot of emails from the local hotels and even apartments telling me that they are already sold out for 2023. 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 insider 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 2023
I honestly 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
Christmas season is very strong in the city, don’t expect it to be as in Central Europe.
We don’t have a centralised Christmas market in Porto but rather small markets 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 2023!🙂
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 the Christmas Market, together with national producers and brands.
From the 1st to the 3rd of December 2023, 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 sensacional.
Address: Rua Dom João de Castro, 210.
Schedule: December 1st to 3rd, 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, a Christmas Market will take place at the lovely Jardim da Cordoaria from December 1st to 23rd 2023, which 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 16h00 to 18h00, 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:
- Mondays to Thursdays: 14h to 19h
- Fridays and national holidays eves: 14h to 20h
- Saturdays: 10h to 20h
- Sundays: 10h to 19h
- December 1 and 8: 10h to 20h
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😊
Concerts at the bandstand of Jardim da Cordoaria:
- December 1st at 19h: Wallow Choir (gospel)
- December 9th at 17h: RockSchool Porto “Combo” (featuring various musical styles such as rock, pop, funk, blues, etc.)
- December 10th at 16h: Christmas Carols (featuring Christmas classics)
Concerts at Largo do Amor de Perdição, right next to Jardim da Cordoaria:
- December 1st at 16h: Saxophone Quartet and String Orchestra from the Conservatory of Music of Porto
- December 1st at 14h: The classic ballet Nutcracker, by the Performing Arts School and Conservatory of Porto
- December 17th at 14h30: The Voices of Christmas with Porto’s Orchestra and Choir
In addition to all these attractions, electric bikes will be available for touring the garden!
Address: Jardim da Cordoaria
Schedule: 1st to 23rd of December 2023
– Fridays and public holidays eves: 14h to 20h
– Saturdays and public holidays: 10h to 20h
– Sundays: 10h to 19h
How to get there: São Bento subway station is a 9-minute walking distance.
Urban Market – Christmas Edition
In December 2023 our famous Urban Market will once again bring a Christmas edition!
This Christmas market will be at the Ateneu Comercial of Porto, entirely focused on the design 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, 2023. There will also be gastronomic options, with personalized baskets.
This year, the Urban Market Porto – Christmas Edition will feature the following concerts:
- On December 15th at 17h, concert by Mark Moakley;
- On December 17th at 17h, Estrela Gomes Trio will take the stage;
- To conclude the Christmas Market festivities, a performance by Ucla Luna on December 23rd, starting at 17h.
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
The Flea Market is regarded as one of the coolest markets in the city, 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, will have those 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: 1st to 30th of December 2023
– 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.
1st Christmas Fair at Mercado do Bolhão
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, such as:
- On December 2nd and 23rd, both concerts at 16h, the group “Ópera de Bolso” will perform beautiful Christmas classics!
- On December 9th, at 10h, troupe of musical elves with wind instruments (bagpipes, flutes and recorders) and percussion (snare drum and bass drum) called Duendes à Solta will play Christmas and traditional repertoire, accompanied by a playful elf 🙂
- On December 15th, at 16h, the market will come alive with the festive sounds of Christmas Carols!
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 Station and Porto Cathedral.
This event, which brings together around 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: December 1st to December 23th 2023, 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 25th to January 7th, 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 25th. The celebration, starting at 18h15, 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 🙂
Address: Rua do Choupelo 39, in Vila Nova de Gaia
Schedule: November 25th 2023, at 18h15.
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 2023. 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 I’m sure it will be worth it 🙂
Address: Jardim Basílio Teles, in Matosinhos
Schedule: 24th of November to 23rd of December 2023
– 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.
Porto Belo and Mini Porto Belo
Mercado Porto Belo is one of the most popular markets in Porto, due to the variety of products being sold (from used vinyls to organic onions) and to its intimate atmosphere. It takes place every Saturday in Praça Carlos Alberto.
During this festive season, there will be also the Mini Porto Belo: meaning that it will be mostly children selling their things to other children for a symbolic price. This year takes place at Mercado Municipal de Matosinhos, from 10h30 to 12h30. A very special Christmas market in Porto that will take place on the 1st and 2nd of December.
Address: Mercado Municipal de Matosinhos
Schedule: 1st and 2nd of December 2023, from 10h30 to 12h30
How to get there: Matosinhos Sul subway station is a 1-minute 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 10th, at 17h30! Make sure to save the date 😉
And this year will bring a new addition – alongside Santa Claus, the Three Kings will be visiting Maia from December 26th to January 7th, 2024! 🙂
Address: Praça Doutor José Vieira de Carvalho
Schedule: November 30th to December 31st, 2023.
– 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.
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