The switch flipped at Praça do Comércio on the 22nd, and just like that, Christmas arrived. The tree is up, fireworks kicked things off, and even Lisbon’s windows have started filling with their yearly decorations. If you needed a sign that the season has started, this is it.
With the season settling in, here’s what’s worth checking out this week.
⭐ EDITOR’S PICKS

Warm lights, wooden chalets and winter charm. Freeport dressed for Christmas.
Nordic Christmas Markets + Black Friday at Freeport (Until December 24)
Freeport Lisboa Fashion Outlet turns into a Nordic-style Christmas market to give you the perfect combo of shopping and Christmas markets.Oeiras Parque – Ice Rink (until Jan 4)
A 160m² ice rink with sessions for adults and kids. A calmer, family-friendly alternative to Wonderland Lisboa.Clássicos de Natal Candlelight Concert (December 18, tickets selling out)
Aula Magna hosts “Candlelight: Clássicos de Natal” on 18 December at 19:00
🎄CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES
Nordic-style Christmas and shopping at Freeport Fashion Outlet · 📍 Freeport, Alcochete · 🗓️ November 24 - December 24

Hot chocolate season officially activated. Calories don’t count in December.
If you’re looking for that “Christmas market abroad” feeling without leaving Lisbon, this is one of your best bets.
Wooden houses, seasonal comfort food, pre-wrapped gifts, and a shopping centre with everything else you need, all wrapped in a warm, Nordic-inspired vibe.
Pro Tip: Go this Friday. You can enjoy the Christmas market and take advantage of Black Friday sales across the outlet.
💶 Entry is free
Oeiras Parque – Ice Rink · 📍 Av. António Bernardo Cabral de Macedo · 🗓️ November 15 - January 4

A calmer, cozier way to ice-skate this Christmas.
The Oeiras Parque Ice Rink is one of the calmest, most family-friendly Christmas activities outside central Lisbon.
The 160m² rink sits right at the mall’s entrance, with festive lights, a revamped presépio and Santa greeting kids through the season.
It’s perfect for anyone who wants the fun of ice skating without the Wonderland Lisboa crowds, offering sessions for adults and children, and an easy parking-and-shop setup that makes the outing stress-free.
💶 Entry is €6 for 20 minutes
Wonderland Lisboa · 📍 Parque Eduardo VII · 🗓️ November 28 - January 4

Lisbon’s biggest Christmas fair lighting up the skyline.
Step into the city’s most popular and energetic Christmas fair, packed with a giant Ferris wheel overlooking the skyline, a sustainable ice rink, Santa’s House, festive stalls and plenty of food and gifts.
Expect bright lights, loud music, families everywhere and a full “Christmas in the city” atmosphere.
Pro tip: Because it’s Lisbon’s biggest Christmas market, expect crowds, high energy and premium prices on rides and treats. Worth going early evening or on a weekday to get a smoother experience.
💶 Entry is free
🕯CANDLELIGHT CONCERTS
Clássicos de Natal (Christmas Classics) · 📍 Aula Magna · 🗓️ December 18

Christmas classics, candlelight and quiet December magic.
This is an immersive one-hour performance on 18 December 2025 at 19:00, where a string quartet plays beloved seasonal favourites by the glow of thousands of candles.  Expect pieces like Carol of the Bells, O Holy Night, Feliz Navidad and Last Christmas, all delivered in an intimate and elegant venue. 
The setting adds a quiet luxury to the festive season. Think soft-lighting, best seats by arrival time and an atmosphere that invites you to pause, reflect and enjoy the music rather than rush through it.
💶 Entry starts from €19
Timeless composers (such as Mozart & Bach) · 📍 Igreja de Santa Catarina · 🗓️ November 27

A sea of candles setting the stage for timeless classics.
A one-hour experience where timeless works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Sebastian Bach and other greats are performed by a string quartet in one of Lisbon’s most atmospheric venues under the gentle glow of thousands of candles.
Whether you’re already a connoisseur of classical music or simply looking for a beautifully serene night out, this concert offers elegance, emotion and a memorable atmosphere in equal measure.
💶 Entry starts from €36
Pro Tip: Be sure to arrive early. Door open ahead of time and late entry is typically not permitted.
⚽ SPORTS
Portugal Speedcubing Championship 2025 · 📍 Pavilhão Municipal da Costa de Caparica · 🗓️ 29th November to December 1

Solving cubes faster than most of us can even scramble them.
This competition brings together up to 250 of the country’s fastest puzzlers, battling it out across classic and advanced cube-variants, from the standard 3×3×3 to blindfolded solves, bigger cube sizes and team events. 
The venue, the Pavilhão Municipal da Costa da Caparica, is conveniently located near the beach and transport links, making it accessible for both competitors and spectators.
💶 Spectating entry is free
Sporting Lisbon vs Club Brugge · 📍 Estádio José Alvalade · 🗓️ 26th November

Champions League nights hit differently at Alvalade.
Sporting come into the match determined to assert their home advantage and get important points on the board, while Club Brugge arrive as a side that knows victories are essential if they are to progress from the group.
Expect a tactical battle, early intensity and moments of flair. For supporters, it’s one of those nights that reminds you why the Champions League belongs to the winter calendar.
🗞️ CITY NOTES
Lisbon’s new enforcement rules on banning feeding stray animals, introducing fines that can reportedly reach €8,000, have triggered strong criticism from residents.
Portugal’s upcoming General Strike on December 11 is set to expand, with cabin-crew unions confirming they will participate. Expect potential flight delays, cancellations and longer airport queues around that date.
Learn AI in 5 minutes a day
This is the easiest way for a busy person wanting to learn AI in as little time as possible:
Sign up for The Rundown AI newsletter
They send you 5-minute email updates on the latest AI news and how to use it
You learn how to become 2x more productive by leveraging AI
And if even one of the events in this newsletter caught your eye, then my job is done.
☕ Até logo,
Lisbon Bica Team

