Christmas in Lisbon With Kids: Lights, Markets, and What’s Open

Is Lisbon a good place to spend Christmas with kids? Yes. Lisbon in December is relatively mild, far less crowded than summer, and the city is covered in Christmas lights. You get Christmas markets, a giant Ferris wheel, and roasted chestnuts on every corner, without the freezing temperatures of northern Europe.

The catch is that Lisbon gets very quiet on December 24 and 25. Most attractions, shops, and restaurants close, so you need a plan for those two days. This guide covers what to do in Lisbon at Christmas with kids, where to go, and what’s open.

When you’re done here, make sure to check out where to Stay in Lisbon With Kids.

What is Lisbon like at Christmas?

Lisbon at Christmas is festive but relaxed. Lights line Baixa, Chiado, and Avenida da Liberdade; a big tree stands in Praça do Comércio, and the main squares fill with market stalls.

Here’s what to expect:

• Weather: mild days, usually in the upper 50s to low 60s Fahrenheit, with cooler evenings
• Rain: December is one of the wetter months, so pack rain jackets
• Crowds: much lighter than summer, except the week between Christmas and New Year’s
• Daylight: it gets dark around 5:15 pm, which is great for seeing the lights before bedtime

The best things to do in Lisbon at Christmas with kids

Here are the best things to do in Lisbon at Christmas with kids, in no particular order.

1. See the Christmas lights

The lights are the best free thing to do in Lisbon in December. They usually switch on in late November and stay up through early January. 

The best streets and squares for lights with kids:

• Praça do Comércio: the giant Christmas tree by the river
• Rua Augusta: the pedestrian street running from the arch to Rossio
• Rossio and Praça da Figueira: lights plus market stalls
• Chiado: Rua Garrett and Largo de Camões
• Avenida da Liberdade: the long tree-lined avenue

It’s an easy, flat walk from Praça do Comércio up Rua Augusta to Rossio, and it works with a stroller. Go right after dark, around 5:30 pm, before the evening crowds.

2. Visit Wonderland Lisboa

Wonderland Lisboa is the biggest Christmas market in Lisbon, and it’s the one kids like most. It takes over Parque Eduardo VII with a giant Ferris wheel, an ice rink, Santa’s village, rides, and food stalls.

Entry to the market is free, and you pay for rides and skating separately. It typically runs from late November through early January. 

Tips for Wonderland Lisboa with kids:

• Go on a weekday or right at opening, since weekends get packed
• Take the Metro to Parque or Marquês de Pombal
• The park is on a hill, so bring a carrier for little ones
• Bring a warm layer, since it’s colder after dark

3. Walk through the Rossio Christmas market

The Rossio Christmas market sits right in the middle of downtown Lisbon. It’s smaller than Wonderland, with wooden stalls selling crafts, decorations, and seasonal food. It usually runs from mid-November until just before Christmas. 

It’s an easy stop on your lights walk. Grab a hot chocolate and a farturas (Portuguese fried dough) for the kids.

4. Eat roasted chestnuts and Bolo Rei

You’ll smell roasted chestnuts all over Lisbon in December. Street vendors sell them in paper cones, and kids love watching them roast.

Other Christmas treats to try:

• Bolo Rei: king cake with candied fruit
• Bolo Rainha: the same cake with nuts, no candied fruit
• Sonhos: fried dough balls with sugar
• Rabanadas: Portuguese French toast
• Pastéis de nata: not seasonal, but always a hit

5. Spend a rainy day at the Lisbon Oceanarium

December is rainy, so have an indoor plan. The Lisbon Aquarium (Oceanário de Lisboa) is the best rainy day activity in Lisbon with kids. Book tickets ahead during the holiday weeks.

The Pavilhão do Conhecimento science museum is right next door, so you can easily fill a full day in Parque das Nações. Find more ideas in Best Things to Do in Lisbon With Kids.

6. Take a tuk-tuk tour of the lights

Lisbon’s hills are hard on little legs. A tuk tuk tour lets you see the decorated neighborhoods without the climbing, and kids think it’s a ride. Try the Welcome Tour to Lisbon in Private Eco Tuk Tuk and ask for a late afternoon start so you finish as the lights come on.

7. Take a Christmas day trip

Two easy holiday day trips from Lisbon with kids:

• Óbidos Vila Natal: a walled medieval town turned into a Christmas village, about an hour north of Lisbon
• Sintra: palaces and castles with far fewer crowds than summer. See 5 Best Things to Do in Sintra With Kids

Renting a car makes Óbidos much easier with kids. We recommend AutoEurope.

What’s open in Lisbon on December 24 and 25?

This is the part families miss. Christmas in Portugal is a family holiday, and the city mostly shuts down.

December 24 (Christmas Eve):

• Shops and supermarkets close early, usually by mid-afternoon
• Most restaurants close for Consoada, the family Christmas Eve dinner
• Public transport runs reduced hours in the evening
• Hotel restaurants are your best bet for dinner, and you need a reservation

December 25 (Christmas Day):

• Most museums and monuments are closed, including Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and Castelo de São Jorge
• Most shops and supermarkets are closed
• Public transport runs on a holiday schedule
• Some hotel restaurants serve Christmas lunch

FYI: December 26 is not a holiday in Portugal. Nearly everything is open again.

What to do on Christmas Day with kids:

• Walk the riverfront from Praça do Comércio to Cais do Sodré
• Visit the playgrounds at Jardim da Estrela
• Take in the views from the miradouros
• Walk along the river in Belém and see the monuments from outside
• See the lights again after dark

Where to stay in Lisbon at Christmas with kids

Where to stay in Lisbon at Christmas with kids

For Christmas, stay central so you can walk to the lights. These are the best areas and hotels for families.

Baixa and Chiado (best for walking to the lights)

• Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Family Suites: built for families, with apartment-style suites, kitchenettes, and a kids club. This is the top pick for Lisbon with little ones.
• Hotel Avenida Palace: a classic hotel right next to Rossio, steps from the Christmas market.
• Pousada de Lisboa: on Praça do Comércio, right by the giant Christmas tree.

Avenida da Liberdade (best for Wonderland Lisboa)

• Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon: a splurge, next to Parque Eduardo VII, with an indoor pool for rainy days.
• InterContinental Lisbon: also beside Parque Eduardo VII, a short walk to the Ferris wheel.
• Tivoli Avenida Liberdade: right on the avenue under the lights, with a Metro stop outside.

Parque das Nações (best for the Oceanarium)

• Tivoli Oriente Lisboa: next to Oriente station, with an indoor pool and an easy walk to the Oceanarium.
• MYRIAD by SANA: on the river with big views, close to the Oceanarium and the cable car.

Two tips. Book a hotel with a restaurant that’s open on December 24 and 25, or an apartment with a kitchen. And if you book an apartment, shop for groceries by the morning of the 24th.

What to pack for Lisbon in December

• Rain jackets for everyone
• Layers, since days are mild and nights are cool
• Shoes with good grip, because the tiled sidewalks get slick when wet
• A baby carrier for hills and crowds
• A stroller rain cover

Find the full list in the Portugal Packing List for Families.

Christmas in Lisbon with kids FAQ

Is Lisbon worth visiting at Christmas?

Yes. Lisbon has mild weather, Christmas lights, markets, and fewer crowds than summer. Just plan ahead for December 24 and 25, when most places close.

How cold is Lisbon at Christmas?

Daytime temperatures are usually in the upper 50s to low 60s Fahrenheit. Evenings are cooler, and rain is common.

Does it snow in Lisbon at Christmas?

No. Snow in Lisbon is extremely rare.

Are restaurants open in Lisbon on Christmas Day?

Most are closed. Hotel restaurants and a small number of others open, and you should reserve well ahead.

When do the Christmas lights turn on in Lisbon?

Usually in late November. They stay on through early January.

How many days do you need in Lisbon at Christmas?

Three to four days is plenty for the lights, the markets, the Oceanarium, and one day trip. See The Ultimate 3-Day Lisbon Itinerary With Kids.

What not to miss at Christmas in Lisbon with kids

If you only do three things, see the lights from Praça do Comércio to Rossio, ride the Ferris wheel at Wonderland Lisboa, and eat warm roasted chestnuts on the street. Then plan a quiet December 25, and you’re set.

More Portugal family travel guides:

• A Guide to Portugal With Kids
• Best Things to Do in Lisbon With Kids (2026 Guide)
• The Ultimate 3-Day Lisbon Itinerary With Kids
• 5 Best Things to Do in Sintra With Kids
• Visiting Portugal With a Baby
• Portugal Packing List for Families
• Best Time to Visit Portugal With Kids (Month by Month Guide)

Portugal Travel With Kids helps families plan stress-free trips to Portugal with practical guides, tips, and itineraries.

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