After Halloween, the bells are already ringing, and Christmas decorations are “taking over” stores. At the same time, themed events are teasing their attractions to spark the imagination of kids and adults alike; and one such event is located about 30 minutes from Lisbon: “Sintra Mágica.”
According to the official Parques de Sintra website, the Christmas event returns to the town from November 27 to January 3, 2027, offering 38 days of free activities, including Santa’s House, a real ice rink, and a 36-meter Ferris wheel in the center of Sintra. All of this under the theme “When the Magic of Christmas Enters the Palace.”
A journey through different settings and characters
This year’s edition features an original story by writers Isabel Stillwell and Sara Rodi, which promises to transport visitors back to 1849, when a young Prince Pedro stops believing in the magic of Christmas. To help him, his sister decides to search for a very special creature that inhabits the forests of Monte da Lua: the Fir Tree. From there, the narrative unfolds across different settings and characters.
The Magical Realms of Sintra
Sintra is considered one of the most romantic towns in Portugal. After all, there is no shortage of palaces, mansions, or even a castle to create a setting worthy of a fairy tale. But during the holiday season, instead of kings and princesses, the protagonists and kingdoms are different from the usual.
It all begins at the Portal Real, next to the Sintra City Hall and just outside the train station, guarded by giant nutcrackers. From there, the route continues to Volta do Duche, where the Path of Secrets leads visitors through lights, decorations, and a large Christmas market.
Themed areas abound in Parque da Liberdade: Colina dos Duendes hosts the Toy Workshop; Bosque das Fadas serves as the setting for the Magic Cookie Factory; and more. In addition, no visit would be complete without Santa’s Office and the Transformation Rink, which serves as the starting point for countless adventures on the ice.
At Terreiro Real, next to the National Palace of Sintra, the magic continues with the Volta das Rainhas, “Portugal’s largest Ferris wheel,” according to the Parques de Sintra website. However, a journey to the magical realms of Sintra isn’t complete without a visit to Santa’s House at Paço dos Ribafria, as well as Montelavar, where a Christmas Village will come to life.
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