Santa’s arrival on November 9 will kick off festivities
The holiday season is about to get off to a magical start at Forum Algarve.
This Saturday, November 9, at 11am, Santa Claus will make a grand entrance at the Faro shopping centre to inaugurate the ‘Forum Algarve Xmas Experience’. The event promises a lively parade with music, cheerful holiday characters, Mrs. Claus, and Gui the mascot, all set to captivate young visitors, while at 6pm, there will be the ceremonial lighting of the Christmas decorations.
Throughout the holiday season, shoppers will be able to visit Forum Algarve’s Christmas Village, featuring a talking Christmas tree, a singing bear, and other magical creatures.
At the shopping centre’s central square, a beautifully lit Christmas circuit has been prepared, complete with intricate decorations, a traditional Christmas Market, and a Parisian-style carousel. The market will showcase five local businesses offering festive treats like waffles, hot mulled wine, and traditional Portuguese ‘Bolinhas de Berlim’ (fried doughnuts), providing a “magical and special experience.”
As a special treat for young visitors, every child who visits Santa will receive a copy of the 18th edition of the children’s book ‘Gui e o Quadro da Felicidade’ (Gui and the Happiness Canvas). The story highlights the joy of experiencing “real-life” moments rather than digital distractions.
Forum Algarve is also hosting a creative school competition, encouraging local kindergarten and elementary students to create their own “Happiness Canvas.” Each participating school has received a canvas to design, and these artworks will be on display at the centre throughout the Christmas season. Shoppers can vote for their favourite pieces, with each receipt counting as one vote. The top three schools will receive prizes of €1,200, €700, and €400, respectively.
For families and friends looking for seasonal fun, the shopping centre’s popular ice rink is returning. Tickets for the ice rink and carousel are available at the Forum Algarve information desk and online at TicketLine, with prices set at €4 for the ice rink and €2 for the carousel, or €5 for both.
“The holiday season often brings stress and hustle, sometimes overshadowing the heartwarming details that make it special,” says Sérgio Santos, manager of Forum Algarve. “Therefore, we felt it made perfect sense to create an extensive experience that could be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. Santa’s arrival, the lighting ceremony, the traditional ice rink, the illuminated circuit, and the Christmas Market are elements that will certainly leave a mark on the Christmas season for everyone who visits Forum Algarve, providing a unique and memorable experience. And, of course, since our connection to the local community is a key part of our identity throughout the year, it couldn’t be any different during such a special time. This year, we’re fulfilling this commitment not only through the creative challenge for schools but also through the Christmas Market, which will feature five local businesses,” he adds.
The Forum Algarve Xmas Experience runs from November 9 to January 5.
