Lisbon in December is mild, bright and quieter than in summer, and the city dresses up for the season. The Christmas lights usually go on at the start of December, a giant tree takes over Praça do Comércio, and on Thursday 31 December 2026 the year ends with fireworks over the Tagus.
The 2026 programme is still to be announced. In recent years the lights have been switched on at the end of November or in the first days of December. We will update this page when the city publishes the dates.
Christmas in Lisbon
The lights run from Avenida da Liberdade through the Baixa to Rua Augusta and the riverside square. Christmas markets usually appear in Rossio and in Parque Eduardo VII, with stalls, food and rides for children. Evenings are the best time: the streets glow, and a hot chestnut from a street vendor is part of the ritual.
Many restaurants close on the evening of 24 December, when the Portuguese celebrate at home with bacalhau. If you are in Lisbon over Christmas, book your dinner well in advance.
New Year's Eve
The main celebration takes place at Praça do Comércio, with concerts during the evening and fireworks over the river at midnight. The square fills early and the surrounding streets close to traffic. Alternatives with a view are the viewpoints of the old quarters and the riverside in Belém and Cais do Sodré.
How to plan the days
With short daylight hours, a private driver makes December days easy: the viewpoints of Graça and Senhora do Monte at sunset, the lights of the Baixa after dark, and back to your hotel without searching for a taxi. Our Lisbon full-day private tour can be shaped around the season.
December is also a good month for day trips: Óbidos Vila Natal, the Christmas village inside the medieval walls, Sintra without the summer crowds, or Fátima for its Christmas celebrations.
Good to know
- 25 December and 1 January are public holidays; most shops and many monuments close.
- On New Year's Eve, traffic around Praça do Comércio is closed from the evening. Agree a pick-up point away from the closures.
- December evenings are cool and can be wet. A warm layer and an umbrella are useful.
Frequently asked questions
When do the Christmas lights go on in Lisbon in 2026?
The date has not been announced yet. In recent years they have been switched on at the end of November or in the first days of December.
Where are the New Year's Eve fireworks in Lisbon?
At Praça do Comércio, over the Tagus, at midnight on 31 December. The square has concerts during the evening.
Are restaurants open on Christmas Eve?
Many close on the evening of 24 December. Book a table in advance if you will be in Lisbon.
Plan your trip to Christmas and New Year in Lisbon
Tell us your date and group. We reply by email within 24 hours with a route and a confirmed price. No payment is needed to enquire.
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Sources and official information: New Year's Eve in Lisbon (Visit Lisboa). Dates and programmes can change; always check the official sources before you travel.
