100% LED lights and only on from 18:00 pm to 23:30 pm. This is one of the main measures that the Câmara de Loulé will implement in the Christmas animation program that «will take into account the context of the energy crisis». For the rest, initiatives such as the “Village of Dreams” will return.
From the 10th of December to the 6th of January, the Christmas lights will shine on the streets of the main urban centers of the county (Loulé, Quarteira and Almancil), with some appointments also planned in all the parishes.
But this year the timetable will be shorter: only in the period between 18:00 and 23:30 will the lights be on, which will be 100% LED.
«With this measure we are in line with what will happen in several cities around the world. We are going to try to balance the component of boosting the economy, in particular trade, at such an important time as Christmas is, with the need to promote energy savings», explain the municipal officials
The Christmas program starts on the 10th, at 15 pm, with the arrival of Santa Claus in the city of Loulé and the opening of the “Aldeia dos Sonhos”.
«After two unusual years, children – but also adults – will be able to freely enjoy this space again, where Santa Claus’ house, the elves square, the merry-go-round, the Christmas train, the ice rink, the stalls with sweets and other seasonal delicacies and all the decorations are intended to faithfully recreate the village of Santa Claus in Lapland», says the Câmara de Loulé.
The Aldeia dos Sonhos, which extends along Cerca do Convento, Largo D. Afonso III and Largo de S. Francisco, will open at the following schedule: Saturday, from 10:00 am to 19:30 pm, Sunday, from 14:00 pm to 19:30 pm, and during the week, from 14:00 to 19:30. It will close on Monday.
This concept will be replicated in the city of Quarteira, with Praça de Natal, which will bring animation to Praça do Mar and the Municipality Centre, spaces where Christmas markets will take place and moments of animation with music and dance groups.
In Almancil, Jardim dos Sonhos transports the festive and supportive spirit of the season to the emblematic Jardim das Comunidades, a meeting point for different nationalities and generations. These spaces will be inaugurated on the 11th of December (Santa Claus arrives in Quarteira at 11:00 am and in Almancil at 15:30 pm).
One of the novelties of this Christmas program is the Feira da Serra, which takes place this year in its original two-day format (10 and 11 December), in the old Carnival warehouse, next to the Convent of Santo António.
In this space there will be «nearly a hundred exhibitors with handicrafts, agri-food products, gastronomy, in a commitment to the traditions of the Algarve mountains and local products».
Musical moments will enliven the event, where the public will have the opportunity to find original Christmas presents. Admission is free and the doors will be open from 10:00 to 22:00 (Saturday) and from 12:00 to 20:00 (Sunday).
The Municipal Library joins this program to bring to its public the Hora do Conto and Estórias em Família, initiatives dedicated exclusively to Christmas tales. At the Municipal Museum, Christmas workshops will be held for children and young people from 6 to 14 years old.
Loulé Criativo takes participants to some creative experiences with “Handmade Seasoning”, proposing five workshops that will take place at Palácio Gama Lobo: Christmas decoration and accessories – creative sewing (December 3rd), orange fritters and sweet potato pastries ( December 8th), Christmas arrangements with elements from the Loulé mountain range (December 13th), Christmas bonbons (December 17th) and Christmas felts (December 3rd).
But the Christmas dynamization programme, which runs until the 6th of January, will also have the New Year's Eve celebrations as one of its highlights. Expensive Soul, the band from Leça da Palmeira, take the stage in Quarteira to welcome 2023.
At the end of the activities there will still be the Giant King Cake initiative. On the 6th of January, at 17 pm, the general public will have the opportunity to enjoy a slice of the 00 meters of cake.
Finally, the “A Special Christmas” campaign starts on the 24th of November, in partnership with ACRAL – Association of Commerce and Services of the Algarve Region, and culminates with the drawing of kings.
Until the 6th of January, for every 10 euros in purchases, a participation coupon will be awarded by the participating commercial establishment, which, once duly filled in, will entitle the participant to purchase vouchers and three trips.
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