Portimão will once again live “A Christmas Dream”, an event dedicated to the whole family that will have all the ingredients expected this festive season, whose launch will take place on December 1st, at 17pm, at the city's old auction house.
Until January 6th, the city of Portimão «will once again transform itself into an authentic Christmas Village, recreating several attraction centers, inspired by the festive season and completely free, in which the Christmas universe will intersect with moments of fantasy and fun aimed at everyone. the family», according to Portimão City Council.
On December 1st, the program will start with the arrival of Santa Claus arriving at the old Fish Market, located on the riverside of Portimão, «to inaugurate the Toy Factory accompanied by Mother Christmas and her elves».
The parade follows with around a hundred extras heading towards Praça Manuel Teixeira Gomes, where the Santa Claus House will be inaugurated, heading to Praça da República, in the heart of the historic center of Portimão, for the inauguration of the Ice rink with 200 square meters, Christmas Stage and Christmas lighting, with emphasis on the immersive Planetarium with LED technology.
Until January 6, locals and visitors can count on 37 days “full of attractions at various centers”.
In addition to Praça da República, the action takes place in Jardim 1.º de Outubro, with the Christmas Market and its ten stands occupied by local artisans, and in Praça Manuel Teixeira Gomes, setting of Casa do Santa Claus and stop of the Train Natal, which will take place in the 'downtown' of Portimão, without forgetting Largo da Mó, with the usual life-size Nativity Scene, and the themed parades that on Saturdays will run through some of the main arteries of the old part of the city, also passing through Alvor, in on the 17th, and by Mexilhoeira Grande, on the 19th of December.
Portimão City Hall highlights the Christmas Stage at Praça da República, «which in the late afternoon will host fifty shows, including circus arts, poetry, music, dance, magic, theater, puppets and clowns, starring five hundred artists, around 80 percent of whom are residents or natives of Portimão, and include students from various schools in the municipality and local groups who will be able to reveal their talents there».
«Fábrica do Santa Claus also deserves special mention, installed in the old Lota, the stage for creative and pedagogical activities with several workshops and ateliers, Story Time, the making of Christmas cookies, techniques on how to wrap gifts and much more. There will also be a 'Christmas Playground' in this space, made up of fun spaces and different equipment for each age group, with various inflatables and carousels", adds the municipality.
In another aspect, and similar to what happened last year, the Municipality of Portimão will deliver 7400 shopping vouchers to children and young people in pre-school and the 1st, 2nd cycle and 3rd cycles of education in the municipality, totaling 111 thousand euros.
«There will be three vouchers with a unit value of 5 euros, for a total of 15 euros per student, to be distributed among the five School Groups in the municipality, which can be discounted until March 31, 2024 in the network of participating stores and services», he describes the chamber.
In addition to this support, which is part of the “Valuing Local Commerce” campaign, anyone who makes purchases between December 1st and February 19th, 2024 in participating commerce, services and restaurant stores is eligible to win vouchers for new purchases, in the value of 25, 50 and 100 euros, for a total of 30 thousand euros.
The campaign is aimed at people aged 18 and over, who will receive coupons for every purchase worth 10 euros or more, thus qualifying for the draws scheduled for December 13th and 27th, January 10th and 24th, and 7th and February 21st.
The participating stores are duly identified with a sign that displays the logo of the “Valorize Local Commerce” campaign, which results from the partnership established between the Municipality of Portimão, the Association of Commerce and Services of the Algarve Region, the Associação Portimonense do Comércio and Services and the Portimão Tourism Association.
Overall, the Municipality of Portimão allocated 141 thousand euros to this campaign, aiming to support local businesses and families.
For the last days of the year, Portimão City Council put together a program with initiatives for various tastes, «with lots of dancing and rhythm, starting on the night of December 29th, with a performance by the band The Peakles, the greatest Portuguese tribute to the famous The Beatles, who will open the festivities from 22pm on the riverside of Portimão».
The following night, December 30th, it will be the turn of RFM Time Machine, an authentic musical journey through time that will remember hits from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, followed by the addictive sounds of Turbo Baile on New Year's Eve, that will not leave anyone indifferent.
«The highlight of the New Year greeting, the fireworks will be launched in Praia da Rocha and Alvor, while in the riverside area of Portimão a memorable entry into 2024 is guaranteed, completely different from everything that has happened», anticipates the municipality .
«With this diverse program, the Municipality of Portimão seeks to provide residents and visitors with unique experiences in several emblematic places in the city, paying special attention to the youngest, who have the opportunity to travel in an imaginary of magic and dreams, taking into account the different audiences that are expected at this very special time, in which hopes for a better tomorrow are renewed», concludes Portimão City Council.
The detailed schedule can be consulted following this link.
Photos: Portimão Chamber
Comments