Albufeira has an ongoing intensive program to celebrate Christmas. Since last weekend, the lighting alluding to the Christmas season has already adorned the city's streets and, in Praça dos Pescadores, a 25-metre-high Christmas tree has also been mounted. However, the activities, all over the county, to mark the date, are scheduled until the 6th of January.
According to Carlos Silva e Sousa, the municipality decided, this year, "to invest in the city center to mitigate the damage caused by the bad weather that hit Albufeira downtown on the 1st of November".
The mayor adds that "with these decorative elements, we intend to attract more people to the center, boost local commerce and allow everyone who visits us to walk around this area and experience a little of the festive season."
Avenida dos Descobrimentos, some public buildings, and various spots all over the county are also lit up with decorative ornaments.
The Paços do Concelho building is not yet decorated, but it will be on the 4th of December. The decorations will be designed and implemented by the ATL's and Ludotecas in the municipality. The “Pieces of Christmas” project, which has a partnership with the company Algar, can be enjoyed until January 6th, Epiphany.
The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Guia has Nativity scenes of the World on display. The exhibition is made up of a set of works provided by embassies, consulates and resident citizens with the aim of divulging nativity scenes from different countries.
This Chapel also receives the Street Nativity Scene, which extends to the Igreja Matriz da Guia. According to the Câmara de Albufeira, «more than 30 figures by the British sculptor Toin Adams, reveal various historical scenes associated with the birth of Jesus».
The parish of Guia will also host the Christmas Market, on December 5th and 6th, which brings together around 50 artisans, producers and local associations in the park along Avenida General Humberto Delgado, as well as stalls with knowledge and flavors alluding to the era.
In front of the Igreja Matriz in Paderne, until the 10th of January, a crib made of traditional materials and images will be on display by the 1009 group of Scouts of Paderne.
At the Pintor Samora Barros Art Gallery, in Albufeira, between 4 and 31 December, recycled Christmas ornaments made by students from schools in the municipality and by users of homes and day care centers will be on display.
One of the events highlighted in the program will be the Santa Claus Race and Walk, scheduled for December 13, where «about 800 participants, dressed in Christmas colors, promise to color the city's streets». The challenge is 4 kilometers for those who want to participate just for socializing and 9 kilometers "for those who are in excellent physical condition".
This year, the event includes a Mountain Bike Tour with a route of 30 kilometers. The meeting point is scheduled for 9:00 am at the Mercado Municipal dos Caliços.
On the same day, the Acrobatic Gymnastics class of Imortal Basket Club will hold its Christmas Gala at the Pavilhão Desportivo de Albufeira, at 15:30.
The Albufeira Conservatory Gala, with students from various musical classes, interpreting themes related to Christmas, is scheduled for the Municipal Auditorium, at 20:30 on December 18th.
On the following day, at 10:00 am, APEXA – Association for the Support of Exceptional Persons in the Algarve will occupy the Arsénio Catuna Sports Complex, in the parish of Guia, with the event “Circus de Natal”, a Solidarity Party aimed at helping people disabled or socially disadvantaged.
FUETE – Academia de Dança de Albufeira will also hold a Christmas Gala, on December 19, at 17 pm, at the Palácio de Congressos do Algarve, in Salgados. “O Principezinho no Planeta da Dança” is a show that, according to the municipality of Albufeires, presents the solidarity spirit of the court through body expression.
The Banda de Paderne Christmas Concert is also scheduled for December 19, at 21 pm. The Sociedade Musical e Recreio Popular de Paderne will show the work done in the revitalization of the band and in the training of young musicians.
For the youngest, the Câmara de Albufeira is preparing Christmas workshops for children between 6 and 14 years old. Reading, crafts, cinema, games and games are some of the activities that will take place at Lídia Jorge Municipal Library during the month of December. Registration is open from December 4th
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