Christmas comes to Coimbra with lights, market, concerts and a Village in Portugal dos Pequenitos
![[:pt]Natal chega a Coimbra com luzes, mercado e concertos [:en]Christmas comes to Coimbra with lights, market, concerts and a Village in Portugal dos Pequenitos[:es]La Navidad llega a Coimbra con luces, mercado, conciertos y una Aldea en Portugal dos Pequenitos[:fr]Noël à Coimbra avec des lumières, un marché, des concerts et un village au Portugal dos Pequenitos[:zh]科英布拉的圣诞节：灯光、集市、音乐会和葡萄牙小村庄（Village in Portugal dos Pequenitos[:]](https://marketplace.baixacoimbra.pt/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1764677472.jpg)
The Municipality of Coimbra presents the Coimbra Christmas 2025 program, which runs from late November to January 6, with activities for all ages. Markets, music, heritage, a free tourist train, videomapping, and the “Christmas Village” at Portugal dos Pequenitos invite people to enjoy the city outdoors, support local businesses, and attract visitors to the municipality.
Christmas Village at Portugal dos Pequenitos
From November 29 to January 6, Portugal dos Pequenitos transforms into a ‘Christmas Village’, with themed decorations throughout the park, immersive spaces, Santa’s house, creative workshops, shows, Christmas stories, roaming entertainment, nativity scenes, and a giant illuminated tree, with the park open extended hours from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The Bissaya Barreto Foundation, organizer of the initiative, offered a ticket to children in the first cycle of basic education in the municipality, promoting access to culture and leisure. The Municipality of Coimbra joins the initiative, preparing to extend this offer to children and young people in situations of greater social vulnerability.
Video mapping and immersive ballet at Praça 8 de Maio
Between December 19 and 23, Praça 8 de Maio will once again host an immersive show combining ballet and 360º video mapping. “All About Christmas,” by Vórtice Dance Company, transforms the facades into portals of light and color inspired by the world of The Nutcracker, taking the audience through snowy forests, magical battles, and luminous kingdoms.
Each session lasts about 30 minutes (15 minutes of ballet performance and 15 minutes of interaction with the characters), with the video mapping running continuously. The sessions take place consecutively from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM (last session at 10:00 PM), with free admission.
Concerts in heritage sites and entertainment in the Baixa
The Concerts in Heritage program brings Christmas music to some of the main churches and chapels in the historic center, strengthening the connection between culture, community, and classified heritage. Between December 5 and January 4, ten concerts are scheduled in venues such as the Chapel of Santo Agostinho (Misericórdia), Church of Carmo, Church of Graça, Church of S. Salvador, Church of S. Bartolomeu, and Church of Santa Cruz, always at 6:00 PM, except on December 19 and January 4, when the concerts take place at 7:30 PM at the Church of Santa Cruz.
At the same time, the Municipality livens up the Baixa with performances in the atrium of the Town Hall, the Christmas Market at Praça do Comércio, organized by the Union of Parishes of Coimbra with the support of the City Council, and with street entertainment integrated into the “Itinerant Quebra-Costas,” which travels along the pedestrian route between Quebra-Costas, Rua Ferreira Borges, Rua Visconde da Luz, and Praça 8 de Maio. Choirs, philharmonic bands, student music groups, and folk dance groups bring a programme to life that culminates on December 27 with the traditional Songs to the Christ Child.
Heritage Train with free rides in December
The Heritage Train, which usually travels through the historic area of the city, connecting Santa Clara to the University of Coimbra and passing by some of the most emblematic sites in the municipality, will offer free rides on 15 days in December, an initiative by the Municipality of Coimbra. Free rides will be available on December 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, and 31, maintaining the usual route and the regular schedule of eight trips daily, at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, and 18:00.
On the remaining days, the Heritage Train will continue to operate as usual, with paid tickets. This measure aims to enhance the entertainment offering during the Christmas program, highlight the city’s historical heritage, and encourage tourist visits, with a positive impact on local restaurants, hotels, and commerce.
A Christmas experienced in the streets, with family, and around the city
In addition to these initiatives, the Coimbra Christmas 2025 program includes concerts, guided tours, workshops, programming in municipal cultural facilities, activities in libraries and museums, craft fairs, and sports events, in a calendar that extends until the beginning of January.