
Lisbon in December is more spectacular and exciting. In addition to concerts, sweets, gifts, New Year’s Eve parties and Christmas markets, there are also various exhibitions, plays, the typical musicals that will delight any family and, of course, lots of experiences.
If you’re only interested in Christmas plans, then it’s best to follow our guide to this Christmas season in the city: it’s perfect for enjoying as a family, with the little ones, but also with friends or your partner.
But if you’re looking for something more diverse, then here are our suggestions for the last month of the year.
Theater, Cinema, Comedy and Shows
AirOtic Soirée has a new show dedicated to Christmas: Naughty Noël
The Airotic Soirée show has arrived in Lisbon and won us over with its irreverence, standing out for its mix of immersive circus and cabaret.
This sensual event has already been to several cities in the United States and has now chosen the Portuguese capital as its “home”.
After a first season that was always packed, it’s back now with a show dedicated to Christmas, Airotic Naughty Noël, which we’re sure will once again surprise all the spectators.
Immersive theater piece unique in the country
“The Death of the Raven” is one of the plays everyone is talking about! It’s an immersive experience that will take you on a “journey” through the crazy, hallucinatory minds of Edgar Allan Poe and Fernando Pessoa, traveling through more than 28 theaters in a show unlike anything you’ve ever seen or been to.
In this intense thriller you’ll be able to (per)follow nine characters, each with their own characteristics, in a story that is told without any speech, only with body expression and choreographic movements.
Mystery, sensuality and lots of action await you in these sessions, which always take place from Wednesday to Sunday, always at 9pm.
A Morte do Corvo - Teatro Imersivo
At the Tivoli BBVA Theater
Every month there are new shows at one of Lisbon’s most iconic venues, the Tivoli BBVA Theatre. Let’s take a look at this month’s program:
- Tasting Fado (Experience): every Friday and Saturday
- Plágio ao vivo (Stand-Up Comedy): December 1st
- Falha Minha, by Rivardo Faria (Stand-Up Comedy): December 2
- Piaf! by Anne Carrere (Music): December 3
- Ayo (Music): December 4th
- Swan Lake, Kiev Ballet (Dance): December 6 and 8
- Nutcracker, Kiev Ballet (Dance): December 7
- Mayra Andrade (Music): December 9
- Christmas Colors (Music): December 14 and 15
- Luís de Matos (Magic): December 19th
Address: Avenida da Liberdade 182A
Schedule: various
Tickets: on the website
Exhibitions, Art and Fashion
Living Van Gogh” immersive exhibition
Van Gogh’s fantastic world arrived in Lisbon at the end of October, with 360º paintings, virtual reality and interactive installations, following its success in Porto, where it welcomed thousands of visitors.
“Living Van Gogh” opened its doors on October 24, and there you’ll have the chance to travel through the fantastic world of one of the greatest painters of all time. However, if you don’t want to wait until then, you can book your place here.
Living Van Gogh 2024 - Lisboa
At the Gulbenkian Museum + Modern Art Center (CAM)
Every month there are new exhibitions and projects at one of Lisbon’s best-known museums, the Gulbenkian Museum, and also at the Modern Art Center. Let’s take a look at this month’s program.
At the Gulbenkian Museum:
- Venice in Celebration (Exhibition): until January 13, 2025
- Contemplations (Exhibition): until March 30, 2025
- The Power of the Word VI (Exhibition): until March 30, 2025
- Nevarte Essayan (Exhibition): until March 30, 2025
Address: Avenida de Berna 45A
Opening times: various
Tickets: on the website
At the Modern Art Center (CAM):
- Leonor Antunes | “da desigualdade constante dos dias de leonor” (Exhibition): until February 17, 2025
- Linha de Maré (CAM Collection): until May 11, 2026
- Go Watanabe | M5A5 (Exhibition): until January 13, 2025
- Yasuhiro Morinaga | The Voice of Inconstant Savage Curator (Exhibition): until January 13, 2025
- Chikako Yamashiro | Song of the Land (Exhibition): from November 29 to January 13, 2025
- The Accidental Calligrapher, Fernando Lemos and Japan (Exhibition): until January 20, 2025
- Estate of Fernando Lemos (Exhibition): until March 17, 2025
- Visitable Reserves: until May 11, 2026
- H BOX (Video): permanent
Address: Rua Marquês de Fronteira
Opening times: various
Tickets: on the website
At the Museum of Contemporary Art
MAC-CCB is the new abbreviation for Museum of Contemporary Art Centro Cultural de Belém, which in 2023 began occupying the space of the former Berardo Museum. It opened at the end of October.
Every month there are new activities and exhibitions in the renovated cultural space on the banks of the Tagus. Let’s take a look at this month’s program:
- Berardo Collection (Exhibition): permanent
- Object, Body and Space (Exhibition): permanent
- Revisiting the work of Hestnes Ferreira (Activities): until March 2025
- Homo Urbanus (Temporary Exhibition): until April 2025
- Intimacies on the Run. Around nan Goldin (Temporary Exhibition): until August 2025
At MAAT
Lisbon’s most modern museum has new exhibitions almost every month, and we’re going to share the highlights:
- The Electricity Factory (Permanent Exhibition)
- William Klein – The Whole World is a Stage (Temporary Exhibition): until February 3, 2025
- Black Ancient Futures (Temporary Exhibition): until March 17, 2025
- Inverted On Us, by Catarina Dias (Temporary Exhibition): until March 17, 2025
- Light everywhere II (Temporary Exhibition): until January 27, 2025
- Energies. Perpetual movement (Temporary Exhibition): until January 6, 2025
Address: Avenida Brasília (Belém)
Opening times: various
Tickets: on the website
At the Orient Museum
Every month there are new exhibitions, courses, conferences and shows at the Museu do Oriente. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of this month’s program:
- Portuguese Presence in Asia (Permanent Exhibition)
- Chinese fans (Permanent Exhibition)
- Chinese Export Porcelain, Former Cunha Alves Collection (Permanent Exhibition)
- Japan: Festivals and Rituals (Temporary Exhibition): until December 31, 2024
- Kabuki Theatre and the Japanese Print (Temporary Exhibition): until January 26, 2025
- Oriental Dance (Dance): Mondays and Thursdays, until December
Address: Avenida Brasília (Doca de Alcantara, North)
Schedule: various
Tickets: on the website
At the Museum of Communications
Every month there are staged visits, exhibitions and many other events for the whole family at the Museum of Communications . Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of this month’s program:
- D. Manuel I (Exhibition): until December 31, 2024
- From Cape Zero to Freedom (Exhibition): until April 1, 2025
- Destino Camões: epic, lyrical, universal (Exhibition): until June 30, 2025
- Submarine cables (Exhibition): until December 31, 2050
- Overcoming Distance (Exhibition): until December 31, 2050
- Mala-Posta (Exhibition): until December 31, 2050
Address: Rua do Instituto Industrial 16 (Santos)
Opening times: various
Tickets: on the website
Experiences, Attractions and Games
Strada Outlet celebrates Christmas with Parisian Carousel and lots of surprises
Strada Outlet is preparing to make this Christmas season even more special with an enchanting novelty: a Parisian Carousel, an attraction that promises to create unforgettable memories for the whole family, available from November 23, 2024 to January 5, 2025, next to the Nike store exit. But to get on, you have to take a few steps.
Wonderland Lisbon
Parque Eduardo VII is once again filled with the magic of Christmas with the much-anticipated Wonderland Lisboa, which this year started in November on the 29th.
Address: Parque Eduardo VII
Opening times: until January 5, 2025 (see all opening times)
Tickets: free entry
Lisbon Oceanarium
One of the most incredible places to visit with the little ones in Lisbon is, without a doubt, the Lisbon Oceanarium.
And if you don’t believe our 10 reasons to go there, then you really must see for yourself the more than 8,000 animals and plants, from more than 500 species. Oh, and don’t miss the permanent exhibitions “Submerged Forests by Takashi Amano” and “ONE, The Sea as you’ve never felt it”.
Oceanário de Lisboa
Climbing the 25 de Abril Bridge
Now that we’ve taken you to the top of the bridge, how about a trip underneath? Escala 25 is one of Lisbon’s newest entertainment and sports venues, where you can climb a 12-meter-high wall.
Whether you’re practicing alone, with friends or as a family, Escala 25 has other climbing walls and climbing areas for all levels of difficulty, always accompanied by professionals.
Address: Avenida da Índia, Pilar 7 da Ponte 25 de Abril (Alcântara)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tickets: at Fever
Escalada debaixo da Ponte 25 de Abril para todos os níveis
The Lisbon of Amália Rodrigues
You’ll only get to know Amália Rodrigues better if you know how she lived. And on this visit to her House-Museum, you’ll find out everything.
Opening her home to the public was one of Amália Rodrigues’ greatest desires, a goal that was realized on July 23, 2001, when it was transformed into a House-Museum to share her most personal and intimate side with all her fans and onlookers.
But in Lisbon there are many more plans to enjoy the best of what our diva left us. Have fun and be moved!
Let’s “see” dinosaurs at Lourinhã’s Dino Park
Have you been to Lourinhã’s Dino Park? It’s the largest themed open-air exhibition in Europe and there you can see almost 200 full-scale models of dinosaur species.
Do you know what to do this month? Lourinhã’s Dino Park is always a great idea and you can book your tickets now.
Dino Parque Lourinhã
Pharmacy Museum
Between Bairro Alto and Bica, just off the Miradouro de Santa Catarina (Adamastor), you’ll find a museum that may go unnoticed, but which preserves the history of our health.
Don’t miss out on your ticket to visit this iconic museum!
Visita ao Museu da Farmácia
A museum in three dimensions
Lisbon already has its own 3D Fun Art Museum, a three-dimensional museum that will make your head spin!
This is a space that promises to leave everyone confused and, at the same time, very amused. Book your ticket now at Fever and don’t forget your camera.
Museu 3D Fun Art: uma divertida experiência para toda a família
Are we going to play minigolf in Lisbon?
Are you ready for a fun evening with friends or a lively afternoon with the family?
Here you can play minigolf indoors, as well as other more psychedelic psychedelic surprises.
Shall we play a few shots? Book your place at Fever!
Minigolf Experience: circuito indoor
Concerts, Parties and Festivals
The best music, in the most incredible places in the city… and its surroundings
Over the next few months there will be several Candlelight classical music concerts, as well as other shows in various venues in Lisbon.
All of them will take place in fantastic locations in the city, offering very intimate and exciting moments for all those who attend.
Candlelight Concerts:
- Candlelight: The best of Metallica
- Candlelight: The best of Vivaldi
- Candlelight: Coldplay vs Imagine Dragons
- Candlelight: Queen vs ABBA
Other concerts in the city:
This month, you’ll also be able to attend a series of concerts and music festivals in various venues and venues in Lisbon:
- Mdou Moctar: December 5, at LAV – Lisboa Ao Vivo
- Molchat Doma: December 5, at LAV – Lisboa Ao Vivo
- Peter Cat Recording Co: December 8, at LAV – Lisboa Ao Vivo (Room 2)
- Mayra Andrade: December 9, at Teatro Tivoli BBVA
- Luíza Sonza: December 9, at Sagres Campo Pequeno
- Blitz 40 years (Xutos, Capitão Fausto, Maro and Gisela João): December 12, at MEO Arena
- Nouvelle Vague: December 13, at LAV – Lisboa ao Vivo
- Tiago Bettencourt: December 19, at Coliseu dos Recreios
- Anjos (GNR Symphonic Band and PSP Symphonic Band): December 20, at MEO Arena
- Paulo de Carvalho: December 29, at CCB – Centro Cultural de Belém
Gastronomy, Travel and Leisure
Christmas markets in Lisbon
It’s almost Christmas, so it’s no wonder that many of the most typical and traditional Christmas markets are starting to set up their tents and entertainment for everyone.
These are the Christmas markets and fairs that have already been announced to entertain the whole family this Christmas season.
Do you know what a “snack-mar” is?
If your answer is “no”, then hurry to Chef Olivier’s latest gastronomic space, Real Pérola, where we’ve already tried some of the tastiest seafood delicacies we’ve ever eaten.
Pastéis de Nata or Croissants: which do you prefer?
Whatever the answer, there are two new places to try each of these sweets: the new Manteigaria store in Belém, and the latest Manolo Bakes space on Avenida de Roma.
This restaurant is FYSH
There’s a new fish restaurant in Lisbon: it’s called FYSH and on the menu you’ll find options for all tastes... and even for those looking for meat (yes, there are two tenderloins on the menu that look really worth it!).
This beer counter is 30 meters long
It has more than 15 craft beers and seven national and international brand beers, and a 30-meter counter that also serves a range of delicious snacks.
The little ones will love these Christmas activities
Coming up with Christmas plans for children in Lisbon is an increasingly easy task. After all, they love this time of year more than anyone, always living it with great anticipation and excitement. Here are 10 plans to make the little ones’ Christmas in Lisbon even brighter.
This Christmas Tram will be touring the streets of Lisbon
This year, CARRIS is once again opening the doors of its Christmas Tram to all schools and families, offering a Christmas journey through the most beautiful streets of the capital.
Ice rinks in and around Lisbon
The ice rinks have returned to Lisbon and the surrounding areas, to the delight of many children, but also many adults.
What was missing? Ice rinks, of course! For now, there are a few options in and around the capital: the Wonderland ice r ink in Parque Eduardo VII; the ice rink in the UBBO shopping center; the ice rink that will be installed in the Palácio Encantado in Oeiras; the Vila Natal in Cascais; and, further out of town, the Vila Natal in Óbidos and the one in Alenquer, which is covered.
Ímpar Market
On December 7 and 8, the LxFactory will host the first edition of the Ímpar Market, which will bring together more than 70 brands in the same space, curated by influencers Mafalda Patrício and Rita Montezuma. Entry to the market costs a symbolic €2, half of which will go to Acreditar.
Address: Rua Rodrigues Faria 103 (LxFactory, Alcântara)
Hours: December 7th and 8th, from 10am to 7pm
Book Festival at the Museu do Oriente
Until December 15, and with free admission, the Fundação Oriente is promoting the 17th Book Festival, where you can find hundreds of titles at special prices, from historical fiction to essays, from literature to exhibition catalogs.
This big party will also include a free cultural program, which you can check out on the Museu do Oriente’s website.