1. Animations & Christmas Activities in Ponta Delgada
Dates: 15 – 23 December 2025
Location: Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island
The historic centre of Ponta Delgada comes alive with festive itinerant Christmas animations from mid-December, featuring street performances, seasonal decorations, and light displays that fill the town with holiday spirit. Expect strolling entertainers, surprise pop-up performances, and family-friendly fun perfect for soaking up the festive ambiance before Christmas Eve. This kind of schedule is usually organised by the local municipality and complements the city’s broader Christmas program.

2. “Ler é Saber” – Holiday Reading Initiative (Corvo)
Dates: 19 – 30 December 2025
Location: Casa do Tempo & Pavilhão Multiusos, Corvo Island
Starting on 19 December, the “Ler é Saber” (Read is Know) program invites both locals and visitors to enjoy a relaxed holiday reading initiative at the Ecomuseu do Corvo. Throughout the day, a variety of books for different ages are available for borrowing at the museum and multi-purpose hall, offering a great cultural activity during the quieter Christmas week. It’s ideal if you’re on the tiny island of Corvo and want a thoughtful, community-centric experience.

3. Feira de Natal (Christmas Fair) at Museu da Horta
Date: 20 December 2025 (approx. 14:00 – 18:00)
Location: Horta, Faial Island
On 20 December, the Feira de Natal (Christmas Fair) is traditionally hosted by the Museu da Horta (or local cultural associations), creating a festive afternoon market with local crafts, seasonal treats, and community celebration. While exact details are confirmed closer to the date, these museum-linked Christmas fairs often blend artisanal stalls with holiday music, mulled drinks, and family-friendly activities.

4. Christmas & Cultural Events in Angra do Heroísmo
Dates: Mid-December through late December
Location: Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island
The “Christmas in Angra” program features a rich seasonal agenda in this UNESCO World Heritage city, including concerts, street entertainment, film screenings, children’s activities, and creative workshops, transforming the historic streets and squares into festive gathering places for all ages. Events are spread throughout December and make great stops if you’re exploring Terceira around 19 December.

5. Cultural Performances & Workshops (Various Islands)
Dates: 17 – 19 December 2025 and beyond
While not always publicised far in advance, creative workshops and performances — such as Dance Creative Workshops (Corvo) and local theatre or music programs — take place around these dates in smaller island venues (e.g., community halls and cultural centres). These often highlight local artistic expression and are a great way to experience Azorean culture away from the bigger city markets. (e.g., Corvo’s dance workshop does run 17-19).

With festive events and cultural celebrations spread across Ponta Delgada, Terceira, Faial, and even smaller islands during the second half of December, having reliable transportation is essential to make the most of your trip. Whether you’re arriving just in time for Christmas markets, evening concerts, or community fairs starting from 19 December 2025, a smooth airport transfer helps you begin your holiday stress-free.
For visitors landing on São Miguel, Low Cost Transfers – Ponta Delgada Airport offers a practical and budget-friendly solution for getting from the airport directly to your hotel, accommodation, or event location. Pre-booking your transfer means no waiting in taxi lines, clear pricing during the busy Christmas period, and more time to enjoy the unique atmosphere of the Azores in winter. It’s an especially convenient option if you’re traveling with luggage, family, or on a tight festive schedule.

1. Christmas in Lagos 2022- December 1st to January 6th | Location: several streets in Lagos
The Camara de Lagos organizes different Christmas activities in the city’s streets to celebrate the holidays while you’re on vacation in the Algarve. Even though this event seems only be for children, adults can also experience the enchantment of Christmas. From December 3 to December 24, go to Aldeia do Natal in Praça do Infante to see the fabled Santa Claus. Allow the kids to daydream while they listen to the city library’s promoted reading of Christmas stories in the same location. On this court, workshops on face painting, balloon modeling, creation of nativity scenes, badges, puppets and much more will also delight the youngest on Rua Portas de Portugal.

2. Grupo Coral de Lagos- December 22th| Location: Igreja de Santa Maria
The Grupo Coral de Lagos and its children’s choir will spread magic this Christmas season, taking advantage of the moment to appeal to the most supportive side of each one in raising donations for the restoration of the pipe organ of the Church of Santa Maria.

3. The Nativity scene
Portugal genuinely has a unique Christmas spirit. One such instance is nativity scenes (presépios), which are becoming less common in Northern Europe.
Nativity scenes are very popular in Portugal. Around Christmas, you may find them all around Portugal, frequently by the side of the road close to roundabouts. A common sight in many Portuguese cities are live nativity scenes, in which participants dress as members of the Christmas tale.

4. The Consoada
The Consoada, or Christmas feast, is served on the evening of December 24. The most traditional option for Christmas supper is likely bacalhau, the national cuisine of Portugal. However, octopus is also popular in the Algarve and in the country’s north.
Bolinhos de Bacalhau and Rissóis de Camaro, two fish-based salgados, are expected to be the starters.
Despite being a Catholic, it is not unexpected that bacalhau is consumed at Christmas because the Portuguese adore it. The delicious bacalhau recipe used for Christmas, Bacalhu de Consoada, is unexpected.

5. New Year’s Eve in Lagos- December 31st to January 1st | Location: Praça do Infante
Why not start the year off on the right foot by the sea and in a festive atmosphere? Gather all your friends and family and enter 2023 celebrating life. On this special night there will be party, music and entertainment all night long at Praça do Infante, in the center of Lagos. The Portuguese band The Gift will perform with the usual great songs and at midnight watch the sky to watch a light and color show with the usual fireworks. Start planning your New Year’s Eve as soon as possible.

Winter events in the Algarve may not mean beaches and long sunny days, but there is so much to discover about Europe’s best kept secret that the days will seem very short. Take advantage of the upcoming festive season and spend memorable days at the events in the Algarve with your family and friends, always relying on Lagos Car Hire for car rentals, which provides hassle-free and high quality services for amazing experiences and trips!

Algarve is one of the most beautiful places in Portugal, where you have so many treasures to discover and so many locations to admire and enjoy. This is the most wonderful time of the year to visit Algarve, due to all the sparkling special festivities, the heart warming customs and traditions and the welcoming people which will definitely amaze you and win your heart.

Situated to the west of Algarve, Carvoeiro is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Algarve. Originally a fishing village, Carvoeiro is now a very popular destination with a wide range of visitors and it’s considered to be one of the most remarkable destinations with the most picturesque beaches.
Algar Seco, Carvoeiro, is famous for the Carvoeiro boardwalk, a picturseque cliff top starting from Nossa Senhora da Encarnacao fort until the Algar Seco rock formation. This destination is the accurate definition of an astonishing, cheeerful and abolutely breathtaking afternoon together with your family and friends.

For history enthusiasts and lovers, an extraordinary attractive location in Algarve is Alcoutim, an almost unchanged village which preserves its authenticity and ancient charm, situated on the banks of the river Guadiana. The steep cobbled streets seem to lead to the riverside through a mix of low, whitewashed cottages and little squares.
Although it has lost the walls that for centuries surrounded it, and despite some modern constructions, Alcoutim’s steep and narrow streets still maintain much of the calm atmosphere, typical of an algarvian hill town.
This incredibly enchanting location is worth visiting especially in the holiday season, you will definitely find it exceptionnally magical.

Salema is situated on one of the most unspoilt coastal regions of Algarve, the Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina Natural Park.
Situated at the top of a cove that features magnificent rock formations and a beautiful sandy beach that is lined with the old houses that formed the original village, this location is as both scenic and tranquil – the ideal place to take unforgettable strolls and to simply seize the moment.
Another charming aspect about this place resides in Praia da Salema, where you will find gold and orange limestone cliffs typical of Algarve. Some of the oldest sections actually date to the Lower Cretaceous period, so they’re around 150 million years old!

There are a lot of activities and events around Algarve during Christmas holidays, from festive concerts and parades to nativity scene.
Come and enjoy this special holiday in Algarve, Portugal, with your family and friends, surrounded by the most beautiful landscapes and unique atmosphere, always counting on Faro Low Cost Transfers and Lagos Car Hire, which provide excellent transfers and car rental services, whenever you need!