There will be no shortage of parties in the Algarve to celebrate the arrival of the new year
As another year draws to a close, 2025 approaches with the promise of brighter times ahead. And what better way to embrace the hope and excitement of a new year than by celebrating in style?
Across the Algarve, a dazzling array of events is set to make New Year’s Eve unforgettable. Whether you’re looking for lively beachfront parties, grand firework displays or more intimate celebrations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
For a night of non-stop revelry in a nightlife hotspot, Albufeira stands out as the number one choice. The town will host ‘Albufeira Carpe Nox 2025’, which it says will be the “biggest New Year’s celebration in Portugal”.
Algarve singer Dino D’Santiago will begin the festivities at the beachside square Praça dos Pescadores on December 30 at 10pm, followed by iconic Portuguese rock band Xutos e Pontapés at the same time and location on December 31, while the countdown to 2025 will be marked by a “never-before-seen choreography with synchronised lasers and pyrotechnics and the biggest drone show ever produced in Portugal.” Entertainment will continue into the night with a set by DJ Diego Miranda.
Many other towns across the region also host major parties to celebrate the occasion, from Lagos in the western Algarve to Monte Gordo in the east.
In Lagos, local artist MICHIE will open the show on New Year’s Eve at Praça do Infante at 10.30pm, followed by a “stunning fireworks display at midnight, one of the longest in the Algarve”, and a performance by Portuguese reggae sensation Richie Campbell.
Meanwhile, a four-day programme has been announced in Monte Gordo, the main tourist destination of the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António. Concerts will be held every night from December 28 to New Year’s Eve at the local beachfront at 10.30pm, with brother duo Calema confirmed as the headlining act alongside Duo Reflexo and the ‘Time Travel’ project. A “magnificent fireworks display” is also promised along the beachfront at midnight.
Nearby in the borough of Tavira, the Praça da República square is set to transform into a nostalgic party hub for New Year’s Eve with the ‘Revenge of the 2000s’ event. From 10pm to 4am, revellers can relive the greatest musical hits of the 2000s. Headlining the festivities will be Portuguese band Santamaria, while the town’s own pyromusical fireworks show will take place over the Descobrimentos bridge.
Another highlight of the Algarve’s New Year’s Eve agenda is Portimão, which has prepared a three-day party along the town’s riverside, starting each day at 10pm. Hip-hop acts Rebel Kidz Crew and Mizzy Miles will kick off the festivities on December 29, followed by a ‘Revenge of the 90s’ show on December 30. On New Year’s Eve, DJ Nicky and MC Marvão will set the tone for the evening’s headliner, Martinho da Vila, a samba icon. Fireworks displays are promised for the Portimão riverside, Alvor and Praia da Rocha jetty.
In the neighbouring municipality of Lagoa, Carvoeiro has also announced a massive beach party, with festivities beginning when P*ta da Loucura will take the stage at the village’s famous beachside square at 11pm, followed by DJ Mojo, who promises to keep the party alive until 3am. Between the two performances, an impressive fireworks display synchronised with music is set to light up the sky and reflect on the sea at midnight.
An article about the Algarve’s New Year’s festivities could not be complete without mentioning Quarteira, which hosts one of the region’s most crowd-pulling events. Four days of entertainment are planned, starting on December 28 with the São Silvestre race. Several concerts are also planned at Passeio das Dunas, with the confirmed acts including DJ Martek, Switha Band, ‘Para Sempre Marco’ (Marco Paulo tribute) and DJ duo Bubba Brothers on December 29; DJ Nuno Silva, Insert Coin and Os Azeitonas on December 30; and DJ Fresh P, David Antunes & The Midnight Band, and world-famous DJ Kura on December 31.
Admission to all these festivities, organised by municipal councils, is free.
For those looking for something more intimate, several hotels, restaurants and bars across the region also host their own New Year’s parties.
By MICHAEL BRUXO
