While without snow and frigid cold, there are still several enjoyable activities you can partake in during the holiday season in the cozy Algarve. Here’s a quick list of things to do in Lagos, Portugal, for Christmas!
Visit the Christmas market
If you have some young ones who you’d like to offer a semblance of Christmas cheer, then the Christmas market at the Dom Henrique plaza will do just the trick!
It is open beginning 29 November until 10 January, 2026.
For those of single-digit age, one can have a festive ride on the miniature train ride, slide down the inflatable toboggan run, or lace up some skates to stumble around a dry rink!
Charming, cute, and a good effort put forth in an otherwise warm climate – it’s worth popping by the Lagos Christmas market for a moment to see if anything grabs your eyes. It runs from December 1st to December 24th.
Attend Christmas Mass
All around the Portugal the cathedrals and churches will be holding their Christmas Mass. For Christmas Mass in Lagos you can see the times here (or for all over Algarve here).
Mass will be of course in Portuguese – a good time to brush up on your linguistic skills and have a new festive experience!
December and Christmas Events in Lagos
The official Câmara Municipal de Lagos has a full list of events occurring right here. For conveniences sake, they have been translated to English below.
To view more information about a particular event, visit the above linked webpage. Most events are free, but some may require a paid ticket or contribution.
CHRISTMAS VILLAGE
- December 1st to 24th
- Monday to Thursday 12pm-8pm | Friday 12pm-9pm | Saturday, Sunday and holidays 10am-9pm | Day 24 10am-5pm
- Location: Praça do Infante
Santa Claus’s house, grocery store, ecological ice rink and ramp, train, face painting, jugglers, photospots and entertainment for the little ones.
- Arrival of Santa Claus with distribution of gifts | December 2 | 15:00
- Entertainment circulating through the streets of the historic center and Mercado da Avenida | December 8th to 10th and 16th and 17th | 11am-1pm and 3pm-5pm
- Shows “Santa Claus and the Elves” (3pm) and “Pirates Save Christmas” (6pm) | Regimental Warehouse | December 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 16, 17 and 23
- Reading Christmas stories with Márcia Gamito | Regimental Warehouse | December 3, 8, 9, 10, 16, 17 and 23 | 4:30 p.m.
- Performance by the Children’s Choir of the Coral de Lagos Group | December 16 | 17h00 | Regimental Warehouse
CHRISTMAS ATELIER
- December 1st to 24th
- Monday to Thursday 12pm-8pm | Friday 12pm-9pm | Saturday, Sunday and holidays 10am-9pm | Day 24 10am-5pm
- Location: Rua Portas de Portugal
Workshops with face painting, balloon modelling, creation of badges, hats, plasticine nativity scenes, finger puppets, Christmas pine cones and a letter to Santa Claus.
LABORATORY COUNTERPOINTS – WHERE ARE WE GOING?
[translate:LABORATÓRIO CONTRAPARTITURAS – PARA ONDE VAMOS?]
- Date: 2nd December
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Location: Centro Cultural de Lagos – Auditório Duval Pestana
CONVERSATION AT THE MUSEUM “FROM CITY VOLUNTEERS TO MUSEUM VOLUNTEERS”
[translate:À CONVERSA NO MUSEU “DOS VOLUNTÁRIOS DA CIDADE AOS VOLUNTÁRIOS DO MUSEU”]
- Date: 4th December
- Time: 6:30 PM
- Location: Museu de Lagos – Núcleo Dr. José Formosinho (Sala de Atividades)
2ND LIFE CHOICES FORUM – CULTURE AND LEISURE FOR ALL
[translate:2.º FÓRUM ESCOLHAS DE VIDA – CULTURA E LAZER PARA TODOS]
- Date: 5th December
- Time: 9:30 AM
- Location: Auditório Paços do Concelho Séc. XXI
NIGHT OF THEATRICAL IMPROVISATION
[translate:NOITE DE IMPROVISO TEATRAL]
- Date: 5th December
- Time: 9:00 PM
- Location: Teatro Experimental de Lagos
GUIDED TOUR “LET’S DISCOVER LAGOS – SYMBOLS AND LETTERS FROM THE TIME OF THE KINGS,” with Artur de Jesus
[translate:VISITA GUIADA “VAMOS DESCOBRIR LAGOS – SÍMBOLOS E LETRAS DO TEMPO DOS REIS”, com Artur de Jesus]
- Date: 6th December
- Time: 10:00 AM
- Location: Jardim dos Campinhos, junto aos Bombeiros de Lagos (partida)
INFANTE D. HENRIQUE FESTIVAL | PRACTICAL COMPOSITION WORKSHOP, with Nelson Faria
[translate:FESTIVAL INFANTE D. HENRIQUE | WORKSHOP DE COMPOSIÇÃO NA PRÁTICA, com Nelson Faria]
- Date: 6th December
- Time: 10:30 AM
- Location: Biblioteca Municipal de Lagos
BETWEEN FOLDS AND PAPERS, ORIGAMI WORKSHOP: FOLDED SECRETS – BOXES AND SMALL TREASURES, with Odete Azevedo
[translate:ENTRE DOBRAS E PAPÉIS, OFICINA DE ORIGAMI: SEGREDOS DOBRADOS – CAIXAS E PEQUENOS TESOUROS, com Odete Azevedo]
- Date: 6th December
- Time: 2:30 PM
- Location: Biblioteca Municipal de Lagos
INFANTE D. HENRIQUE FESTIVAL | DESBUNDE! LOOKING FOR JOHNNY ALF, with Pablo Lapidusas, Celeste Caramanna and Nelson Faria
[translate:FESTIVAL INFANTE D. HENRIQUE | DESBUNDE! LOOKING FOR JOHNNY ALF, com Pablo Lapidusas, Celeste Caramanna e Nelson Faria]
- Date: 6th December
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Location: Centro Cultural de Lagos
MUSICAL SESSIONS FOR BABIES AND CHILDREN: CHRISTMAS IS COMING!, with Ana Correia
[translate:SESSÕES MUSICAIS PARA BEBÉS E CRIANÇAS: O NATAL ESTÁ A CHEGAR!, com Ana Correia]
- Date: 7th December
- Location: Biblioteca Municipal de Lagos
CHRISTMAS CRAFTS EXHIBITION
[translate:MOSTRA DE ARTESANATO DE NATAL]
- Date: 6th – 8th December
- Location: Mercado de Levante
INFANTE D. HENRIQUE FESTIVAL | INSTRUMENTALISTS COMPETITIONS
[translate:FESTIVAL INFANTE D. HENRIQUE | CONCURSOS DE INSTRUMENTISTAS]
- Date: 7th – 8th December
- Location: Centro Cultural de Lagos
INFANTE D. HENRIQUE FESTIVAL | PREMIERE CONCERT OF PORTUGUESE PIECES
[translate:FESTIVAL INFANTE D. HENRIQUE | CONCERTO DE ESTREIA DE PEÇAS PORTUGUESAS]
- Date: 8th December
- Time: 6:00 PM
- Location: Centro Cultural de Lagos
CHRISTMAS CONCERT by Luz Cultura students
[translate:CONCERTO DE NATAL, pelos alunos da Luz Cultura]
- Date: 11th December
- Time: 6:00 PM
- Location: Clube Artístico Lacobrigense
END-OF-TERM AUDITIONS
[translate:AUDIÇÕES DE FINAL DE 1.º PERÍODO]
- Date: 10th – 12th December
- Location: Igreja da Nossa Senhora do Carmo (Igreja das Freiras)
6TH WITH SCIENCE
[translate:6.ª COM CIÊNCIA]
- Date: 12th December
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Location: Centro Ciência Viva de Lagos
THIS NIGHT WE SCREAM “PEDRAL” by Sabrina Marthendal
[translate:ESTA NOITE GRITA-SE “PEDRAL”, de Sabrina Marthendal]
- Date: 12th December
- Time: 9:00 PM
- Location: Centro Cultural de Lagos – Sala de Animação 1
OZ OR THE ROAD? by Ardemente
[translate:OZ OU A ESTRADA?, pela Ardemente]
- Date: 12th December
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Location: Centro Cultural de Lagos – Auditório Duval Pestana
WORLD CHORAL MUSIC DAY
[translate:DIA MUNDIAL DA MÚSICA CORAL]
- Date: 13th December
- Location: Igreja da Nossa Senhora do Carmo (Igreja das Freiras)
GUIDED TOUR “DISCOVERING CHRISTMAS IN LAGOS” with Artur de Jesus
[translate:VISITA GUIADA “À DESCOBERTA DO NATAL EM LAGOS”, com Artur de Jesus]
- Date: 13th December
- Time: 10:00 AM
FRIENDS OF LAGOS GROUP MEETING
[translate:ENCONTRO DO GRUPO DOS AMIGOS DE LAGOS]
- Date: 13th December
- Time: 4:00 PM
- Location: Biblioteca Municipal de Lagos
SOUNDS AT TWILIGHT | ALBRUMA TRIO
[translate:SONS AO CREPÚSCULO | TRIO ALBRUMA]
- Date: 13th December
- Time: 5:00 PM
- Location: Igreja da Luz
LAGOS BOOK CLUB “CONFLUENT RUPTURES: IDENTITIES AS ALTERITIES”, with José Pimentel Teixeira
[translate:CLUBE DE LEITURA DE LAGOS “RUPTURAS CONFLUENTES: AS IDENTIDADES COMO ALTERIDADES”, com José Pimentel Teixeira]
- Date: 13th December
- Time: 6:00 PM
- Location: Biblioteca Municipal de Lagos
ASTRONOMY AT BRAVURA DAM
[translate:ASTRONOMIA NA BARRAGEM DA BRAVURA]
- Date: 13th December
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Location: Barragem da Bravura
SOUL & GOSPEL – Lagos Light Orchestra invites Carina Lima
[translate:SOUL & GOSPEL – Orquestra Ligeira de Lagos convida Carina Lima]
- Date: 13th December
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Location: Centro Cultural de Lagos – Auditório Duval Pestana
CONCERTS IN CHAIN #9 | SENSE MAY & LOLLIPOTS
[translate:CONCERTOS EM CADEIA #9 | SENSE MAY & LOLLIPOTS]
- Date: 13th December
- Time: 9:30 PM
- Location: LAC – Laboratório de Actividades Criativas
SANTA BICYCLE RIDE by Amigos de Almádena Association
[translate:PASSEIO DE BICICLETA DE PAIS NATAIS, pela Associação Amigos de Almádena]
- Date: 14th December
- Time: 9:00 AM
- Location: Centro Social de Almádena (concentração)
LIVING STORIES | “THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES” BY CHARLES DARWIN RETOLD BY SABINA RADEVA
[translate:HISTÓRIAS VIVAS | “A ORIGEM DAS ESPÉCIES” DE CHARLES DARWIN RECONTADA POR SABINA RADEVA]
- Date: 14th December
- Time: 10:30 AM
- Location: Centro Ciência Viva de Lagos
DANCE-FAMILIES: THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN, with Vanessa Alexandra and JeanJacques
[translate:DANÇA-TE FAMÍLIAS: O MUNDO DE TUDO AO CONTRÁRIO, com Vanessa Alexandra e JeanJacques]
- Date: 14th December
- Time: 10:30 AM
- Location: Biblioteca Municipal de Lagos
CHRISTMAS PARADE by Moto Clube de Lagos
[translate:DESFILE DE NATAL, pelo Moto Clube de Lagos]
- Date: 14th December
- Time: 12:00 PM
- Location: Percurso da sede do clube até à Praça do Infante
THE ALGARVE, LAGOS AND WINE: GUIDED TOUR “WINES IN THE HISTORY AND LANDSCAPE OF LAGOS” with Artur de Jesus and Mariana Canelas
[translate:O ALGARVE, LAGOS E O VINHO: VISITA GUIADA “OS VINHOS NA HISTÓRIA E NA PAISAGEM DE LAGOS”, com Artur de Jesus e Mariana Canelas]
- Date: 14th December
- Time: 3:00 PM
- Location: Biblioteca Municipal de Lagos
ALGARVE CAMERATA IN RESIDENCE
[translate:ALGARVE CAMERATA EM RESIDÊNCIA]
- Date: 14th December
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Location: Igreja de S. Sebastião
“VIBRATION OF LIGHT” EXHIBITION by Marie Piquart
[translate:EXPOSIÇÃO “VIBRAÇÃO DA LUZ”, de Marie Piquart]
- Date: 1st – 15th December
- Location: Posto Municipal de Exposições
LET’S TALK ABOUT THIS – MENTAL HEALTH FROM 6 TO 12 YEARS
[translate:LET’S TALK ABOUT THIS – SAÚDE MENTAL DOS 6 AOS 12 ANOS]
- Date: 16th December
- Time: 5:30 PM
- Location: Auditório Paços do Concelho Séc. XXI
CHRISTMAS CONCERT by Grupo Coral de Lagos
[translate:CONCERTO DE NATAL, pelo Grupo Coral de Lagos]
- Date: 17th December
- Time: 9:00 PM
- Location: Igreja de Santa Maria
TIME TRAVELS – LITERARY MEMORY WORKSHOP: THE LITERARY MAJOR AGE, with Sónia Pereira
[translate:VIAGENS NO TEMPO – OFICINA LITERÁRIA DA MEMÓRIA: A IDADE MAIOR LITERÁRIA, com Sónia Pereira]
- Date: 17th December
- Time: 10:30 AM
- Location: Biblioteca Municipal de Lagos
CHRISTMAS CONCERT by Sociedade Filarmónica Lacobrigense 1.º de Maio
[translate:CONCERTO DE NATAL, pela Sociedade Filarmónica Lacobrigense 1.º de Maio]
- Date: 18th December
- Time: 9:00 PM
- Location: Centro Cultural de Lagos – Auditório Duval Pestana
EMANCIPATED SPECTATOR CLUB
[translate:CLUBE D’ESPECTADOR EMANCIPADO]
- Date: 4th Nov – 19th Dec
- Location: Centro Cultural de Lagos
GYMNASTIC CHRISTMAS
[translate:NATAL GÍMNICO]
- Date: 19th December
- Location: Pavilhão Municipal de Lagos
DANCING THE WORLD by Associação de Dança de Lagos
[translate:DANÇAR O MUNDO, pela Associação de Dança de Lagos]
- Date: 19th – 20th December
- Location: Centro Cultural de Lagos – Auditório Duval Pestana
CHRISTMAS GET-TOGETHER
[translate:CONVÍVIO DE NATAL]
- Date: 20th December
- Time: 4:30 PM
- Location: Bairro dos Moinhos
CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP: PHRASE REVISION (MINUTIAE), with David Roque
[translate:OFICINA DE ESCRITA CRIATIVA: REVISÃO DA FRASE (MINUDÊNCIAS), com David Roque]
- Date: 20th December
- Time: 6:00 PM
- Location: Biblioteca Municipal de Lagos
THE SHORTEST DAY – Short Films
[translate:O DIA MAIS CURTO – Curtas de Cinema]
- Date: 20th December
- Time: 9:00 PM
- Location: Biblioteca Municipal de Lagos
SCIENCE FOR FAMILY | REUSABLE CHRISTMAS
[translate:CIÊNCIA EM FAMÍLIA | NATAL REUTILIZÁVEL]
- Date: 21st December
- Time: 10:30 AM
- Location: Centro Ciência Viva de Lagos
EMPREITARTE – FROM HEART TO HAND: THE LITTLE BARROW – SEWING ON THE SPOT, with Ana Carla
[translate:EMPREITARTE – DO CORAÇÃO À MÃO: A BARACINHA-COSER A EMPREITA, com Ana Carla]
- Date: 21st December
- Time: 10:30 AM
- Location: Biblioteca Municipal de Lagos
VINTAGE SWING | António Saiote, Ana Rita Inácio & Orquestra de Jazz do Algarve
[translate:VINTAGE SWING | António Saiote, Ana Rita Inácio & Orquestra de Jazz do Algarve]
- Date: 23rd December
- Time: 7:00 PM
- Location: Centro Cultural de Lagos – Auditório Duval Pestana
NATALÂNDIA 2025
[translate:NATALÂNDIA 2025]
- Date: 5th – 24th December
- Time: 10:00 AM
- Location: Zoo de Lagos
MINDFULNESS IN ACTION: COMPASSION AND EMPATHY: DONATION, with Sofia Loureiro
[translate:MINDFULNESS EM AÇÃO: COMPAIXÃO E EMPATIA: DOAÇÃO, com Sofia Loureiro]
- Date: 27th December
- Time: 3:00 PM
- Location: Biblioteca Municipal de Lagos
PEDRA DURA EXHIBITION CenDDA
[translate:PEDRA DURA | EXPOSIÇÃO CenDDA]
- Date: 6th Nov – 30th Dec
- Location: Centro Cultural de Lagos – Salas de Exposições 2 e 3
“HERE” PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION by José Cabral Silva
[translate:EXPOSIÇÃO DE FOTOGRAFIA “AQUI”, de José Cabral Silva]
- Date: 15th Nov – 30th Dec
- Location: Biblioteca Municipal de Lagos
“MAN DOESN’T STOP FALLING” EXHIBITION by Orlando Franco, António Júlio Duarte, Gonçalo Barreiros and Pedro Cabral Santo
[translate:EXPOSIÇÃO “O HOMEM NÃO PARA DE CAIR”, de Orlando Franco, António Júlio Duarte, Gonçalo Barreiros e Pedro Cabral Santo]
- Date: 11th Oct – 30th Dec
- Time: 10:00 AM
- Location: Centro Cultural de Lagos (Sala de exposições 1)
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY – PEDRO ABRUNHOSA
[translate:FESTA DE PASSAGEM DE ANO – PEDRO ABRUNHOSA]
- Date: 31st December
- Time: 10:30 PM
- Location: Praça do Infante
“INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES” EXHIBITION by Casa de Santo Amaro
[translate:EXPOSIÇÃO “DIA INTERNACIONAL DA PESSOA COM DEFICIÊNCIA”, pela Casa de Santo Amaro]
- Date: 3rd Dec – 2nd Jan
- Location: Átrio do Edifício Paços do Concelho Séc. XXI
ANIMATED CHRISTMAS NATIVITY SCENE by José Cortes
[translate:PRESÉPIO ANIMADO DE NATAL, de José Cortes]
- Date: 29th Nov – 10th Jan
- Location: Centro Cultural de Lagos – Sala de Exposições 0
See the other Christmas events calendar!
On the website Algarvevents.pt/ you can see a full calendar of events happening for Christmas around Lagos and the Algarve as a whole – from choir performances to flea markets, painting workshops, and more!
Visit Portimão, Faro, or Lisbon
With higher populations comes bigger events, markets, and celebrations! Take a quick train or bus ride to Portimão, Faro, or Lisbon to see what they have in store as they’ll certainly be larger than what’s in Lagos.
Go on a trip to Madeira!
Okay, technically not in Lagos (or Portuguese mainland for that matter), however Madeira island honours a surprisingly festive atmosphere which is sure to be a unique and charming experience! Hearty Christmas markets, millions of lights, and enough Poncha to get a whole nation tipsy – Madeira is a fantastic way to spend holidays – especially if you catch one of those €10 flights from Lisbon to Madeira!
Dinner with friends or strangers
Lagos is a town composed with a wide mix of people from all over the world. As such there are many people who are here without family to have a Christmas dinner with.
Spontaneous groups pop up all over on the various social media apps at this time of year with community dinners happening at private residences.
So check the Socialize in Lagos page to find people to meet up with for a holiday dinner!
List of Christmas events in Lagos
Here’s a consolidated list of events happening around Lagos during December.
Check the official CM-Lagos.pt website to see all newly added or changed events!