Christmas and New Year will be celebrated in style in Tavira, which is hosting a series of festive events until January 6.
The Christmas and New Year craft markets return to Jardim das Palmeiras from Saturday, November 29 to January 4, offering handmade gifts and unique pieces from local artisans – a perfect stop for those looking to avoid last-minute shopping panic.
Over at Mercado da Ribeira, December brings an afternoon line-up of concerts from local and regional musicians (December 6-23, at 3pm), ranging from choral pieces and classical tunes to jazz, traditional and popular music.
Festivities will also bring the holiday cheer to downtown Tavira, which will welcome Santa Claus on Saturday, December 6, at around 11am. Meanwhile, families can visit Santa’s House in Jardim do Coreto from December 6 to January 6.
To attract shoppers to local businesses, Tavira is hosting the Christmas Prize Draw (December 6-January 6), featuring weekly giveaways and a final prize announced on Three Kings’ Day.
Food lovers can catch Christmas cooking demos at the municipal market on December 13 and 20, with chefs Jorge Rodrigues, Rodrigo Rodrigues and Abílio Guerreiro sharing seasonal recipes and culinary secrets.
Another highlight of the Christmas agenda will be a Christmas concert by the Banda Musical de Tavira on December 19 at Carmo church.
On December 19, the Igreja do Carmo hosts the Christmas concert by the Banda Musical de Tavira. The following morning, from 10am to noon, the Jubilate Deo choir will be going door to door, performing traditional Christmas carols.
Tavira’s firefighters will be repeating their cherished tradition with another elaborate nativity scene, open daily to visitors, while Tavira’s parish union will also showcase its own nativity display at Galeria André Pilarte from December 6 to January 6.
Moving on to the town’s New Year’s party, the festivities will begin at 10pm at Praça da República with a performance by One Vision, a Queen tribute band. At midnight, a musical fireworks display will take revellers into the new year, followed by performances by Algarve rock band Iris and DJ Fábio Palma.
A special New Year concert is scheduled for January 3 at the António Pinheiro municipal theatre, featuring the Algarve Orchestra. The next day, the same venue hosts the Festival de Charolas at 3pm, celebrating the Algarve’s New Year singing tradition.
