December in the Algarve
The last month of the year! December is a festive month, also in the Algarve. With Christmas coming up, there will be loads of Christmas markets and fairs in the Algarve. We will mention a few! Many other activities will take place in December, plus the weather is mild, beaches empty, the holiday rental prices are low! Ideal time for exploring the Algarve by bicycle or foot, or playing golf. Algarve Housing, can help you to find a nice villa for your holiday to the Algarve in December, or any other month!
30 November-2 December
Sweet Potato Festival Aljezur
The Festival da Batata-doce de Aljezur is one of the greatest autumn food festivals in Southern Portugal, celebrating the famous ‘sweet potato’ from the Algarve’s Aljezur region.
This year, 4 restaurants and 3 bars are taking part in this gastronomical extravaganza. There will also be many street food stalls and a tented snack area, where you can savour the revered Aljezur sweet potato.
Aljezur sweet potatoes are said to be the best around, due to the soil and growing conditions in the area. This three-day festival is a great opportunity to taste these delicious veg, cooked in a wide variety of ways – from freshly baked in a wood oven, or sliced and fried as a starter to served up with cinnamon and sugar.
As well at sweet potatoes, there will be stalls selling other regional products and produce, plus traditional entertainment.
More than 100 exhibitors will be at the event, which attracts thousand of visitors each year.
The festival opens at 12 noon each day and entrance is free.
8 and 9 December
Christmas Fair at Parrot Castle
A new event place near Ferragudo and Portimao, organizing a 2 day event.
Saturday 8 December is a wine tasting. Get a good deal and buy some good wines for your Christmas dinner
Sunday 9 December is a fashion show by JOUK Studio. Find your perfect dress for Christmas while your kids will be entertained in the same area!
Christmas Fair at Biergarten Porches
Food market. The spirit of the festive season will pervade Vila Vita Biergarten this December, when it opens its doors to its very first street food market. The 2018 Christmas Food Market will celebrate the best of national and international flavours, and will feature eight wooden alpine huts to ensure the most authentic Christmassy atmosphere.
3 and 23 December
The Nutcracker
Mar shopping (next to Ikea Loule/Faro
If you can’t make it to London to see The Nutcracker live this December, you can watch the next best thing – a live broadcast at MAR Shopping!
The Nutcracker is a Christmas treat for the whole family and a classic with a special place in the hearts of ballet fans around the world. AND, you can enjoy the performance right here in the Algarve, performed by The Royal Ballet and broadcast live from London’s Royal Opera House.
NOS Cinemas at MAR Shopping will be broadcasting The Nutcracker on 3rd and 23rd December at 7.15pm.
3rd December – the broadcast is from the Royal Opera House.
23rd December – the broadcast is from the Bolshoi.
25 December
Charity Swim with Holiday Inn Algarve
Armacao de Pera, 11 am.
Join the Holiday Inn Algarve for their annual fun-filled Charity Swim and help to raise money for local children in need.
Bring your swimwear and a towel and go in for a swim – or just a paddle – as long as a part of you gets wet! Then recover in the Holiday Inn’s hotel bar afterwards and enjoy a Hot Bomba on Christmas Day or a Hot Chocolate on New Year’s Day.
Where & when
On Christmas Day and New Year’s Day at 11.00 am on the beach at Armação de Pêra – meet at the Holiday Inn Algarve Hotel.
Christmas Day – why not wear a Santa Suit?! And New Year’s Day you can wear your pyjamas!
Adults and children are all welcome to take part on the understanding that they do so at their own risk.
Please take a donation to help the Holiday Inn raise money for two local charities: ‘Espaço Amigo’ Armação de Pêra and ‘A Gaivota’ – Albufeira.
This article about December in the Algarve has been brought to you by Algarve Housing, for quality holiday villas in the Algarve.
Please contact me for any further details regarding December in the Algarve or our lovely rental properties.
Warm Regards,
Michele