“Albufeira is Christmas” from today, Saturday, the 25th and until the 7th of January, during which time it will promote a program that includes a Christmas village, markets and fairs, nativity scenes and other initiatives, with a strong focus on families.
This Christmas program, highlights José Carlos Rolo, mayor of Albufeira, «is one of the Municipality's strong bets» and an event «that every year leads us to always try to do more and better to attract residents and tourists and bring back joy , magic and hope to all people, especially children».
The program is launched with a Christmas Market, organized by the Guia Parish Council with the support of the Municipality of Albufeira, which will take place in the center of the town, next to the Polidesportivo, today and tomorrow.
«In addition to craft products, toys, gastronomy and typical delicacies of the season, prepared by the various associations in the parish, there is street entertainment, music, carousels, inflatables, Santa Claus's house and much more», describes the Albufeira City Council .
At the same time, it is possible to visit the Street Nativity Scene, installed between the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Guia and the Main Church. «Gather your family and friends and come and see the 33 large figures, designed by the British sculptor Toin Adams, representing different stories associated with the birth of Jesus», challenges the municipality.
This initiative is part of the Natal Guide, whose dates coincide with the total duration of the “Albufeira é Natal” program (25th November to 7th January).
From November 29th to December 3rd, Feira Franca returns, this time to a new space next to the Marina.
At this event it will be possible to buy clothes, footwear, household utensils, toys, but there are also “carousels and bumper car tracks that delight children and adults alike, plenty of food, churros, cotton candy, snacks, honey, dried fruit and other products from the earth".
This will be followed by the Christmas Market from the 1st to the 3rd of December, to be held at Espaço Multiusos de Albufeira (EMA), by the Parish Council of Albufeira and Olhos de Água with the support of the local authority, from 14pm to 00pm.
«The event, which attracts hundreds of visitors to the EMA every year, promises to offer, once again, the best of seasonal sweets, crafts and lots of entertainment. Among the diverse gastronomic offer it is possible to find azevias, coscorões, french toast, cakes and sweets made with honey, dried fruits and gila, as well as wines and liqueurs that cannot be missed on the Christmas table», according to the Chamber.
In addition to sweets, “you can also purchase Christmas decorations and some gifts – original pieces produced by dozens of artisans in the region. The program culminates on the 3rd, at 16pm, with a performance by Rancho Folclórica de Albufeira».
From the 15th to the 23rd of December, the city center, especially Largo Eng.º Duarte Pacheco, transforms into a “Christmas Village”, with the “Albufeira é Natal” initiative.
«As if by magic, the city center transforms into a land of snow, with many characters from the Christmas season interacting with visitors. Santa Claus will be there listening to the dreams of all the boys and girls, and the friendly reindeer, always very excited, have already promised to put their paws on the Ice Rink», describes the Chamber.
This event, during which children will be able to visit Santa Claus's House, also has a market with products «ranging from woolen socks, to traditional sweets and jewelry to be offered this season».
The big news of the program this year are the spaces specially designed for children aged 3 to 8, «under the theme of the film Frozen II, but where there will be no shortage of Lego icons», as well as a pavilion aimed at older children, under the Marvel Mission theme, «where fans will receive different missions, which they have to overcome, to help their favorite Super Heroes».
«Those who prefer can opt for the “Escape Room”, an escape game, with a puzzle room, exit game or riddle room. It is a game in which a team of players discovers clues, solves a puzzle and performs various tasks, with the aim of finding the ideal way to leave the game location».
Visitors can also enjoy music, street entertainment, plays and other initiatives.
The Albufeira Municipal Auditorium is another stopping point for the party.
On the 10th, at 15:30 pm, the children's musical “Maria, a granda de Nicolau” will be performed by the company “Cia. Gato Escaldado Teatro”, in which “Maria has to spend Christmas with her grandfather Nicolau, who she hasn't seen for several years. During her holidays at her grandfather's house, Maria discovers that her grandfather is Santa Claus ».
The show is for people over 3 years old, tickets cost 3 euros and can be purchased at Galeria Municipal João Bailote (weekdays from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 13:30 pm to 17:00 pm) and on the day and location of the show (from 14:00 pm to 15:00 pm).
As is tradition, on December 15th, at 21:30 pm, the Auditorium hosts the Orquestra do Algarve Christmas Concert, which will feature a baroque music concert, with pieces by Bach and Handel.
The concert is for people over 6 years old, with free entry but subject to room capacity. Tickets can be collected on the day of the show, at the Municipal Auditorium, from 20:30 pm to 21:15 pm.
Sports will also be present in the program.
On December 17th, from 10 am, the traditional Santa Claus Race/March takes place, «an initiative that annually brings together close to 00 participants, dressed up, filling the city streets with color and joy».
The event, which has a meeting point at Mercado Municipal dos Caliços, offers two routes, free and accessible to everyone: one of 5 kilometers and the other of 9 kilometers. At the end there are offers for all participants. This is also a solidarity event, participate and bring blankets to donate to those who need them. For registration and more information contact: [email protected] | tel: 289 599 505.
On December 29th, starting at 20pm, the São Silvestre Algarve Race will take place, starting and finishing near the Miradouro do Pau da Bandeira, one of the most visited and photographed places in Albufeira.
Participants can choose between a 5-kilometer walk and a 9-kilometer run. This year, the winner of the competition receives a prize of 5200 euros.
Meanwhile, from December 27th to January 1st, kids and adults can watch the magic of the Circus, at the fortnightly Ferreiras Fair.
«Clumsy clowns, jugglers, magic, acrobats and the participation of Portugal Got Talent finalist, Paulo Santos, with his incredible diablos, and much more are guaranteed to bring lots of laughs and admiration for these excellent artists», concludes the Albufeira Chamber.
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