Natal Cascais 2025
Carolina Temudo / CMC
Carolina Temudo / CMC

The best things to do at Christmas in Cascais

A visit to Cascais Christmas Village is a must, of course, but there’s plenty more to do in Cascais at Christmas: markets, concerts, workshops and special menus are just a few of the highlights.

Hugo Geada
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Cascais may be best known for its summer vibes, beaches and terraces, but there’s no denying the town – and the wider municipality – gets fully into the Christmas spirit. Cascais Christmas Village, set in Parque Marechal Carmona with attractions for all ages, has become a must-visit for anyone who loves celebrating the season. Add twinkling lights and carousels, brunches and themed dinners, markets, workshops, concerts and special palace visits, and you’ve found a true Christmas paradise. Here are the best things to do in Cascais at Christmas.

Recommended: What's new in Cascais

  • Things to do

Cascais Xmas Village returns to Parque Marechal Carmona with a larger area, new attractions and a visit from Santa, turning the space into the epicentre of Christmas spirit. With covered areas, food options, a changing facility and accessible entrances, it offers outdoor fun for the whole family. Tickets range from €12 to €14, with family packs from €48, and entry is free for children under two. Easily reached by car or train, and warm clothing is recommended.

  • Things to do

If this year you’d rather skip spending Christmas in the kitchen, Grupo São Bento has prepared special menus for 24 and 25 December, blending tradition with sophistication. At Bougain, the menu features pumpkin cream, cod loin or suckling pig, and a trio of Christmas desserts; while Café de São Bento keeps the classics, with steak and cod, evoking familiar flavours and festive memories.

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  • Pastelerías
  • Estoril
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It’s one of the most notorious queues on Christmas Eve morning. Every year, dozens upon dozens of customers flock to the iconic Pastelaria Garrett in Estoril to buy a bolo-rei (or rainha, which is just as good) ahead of Christmas dinner. It’s also become a festive tradition in the Cascais municipality.

  • Things to do

The Cascais Christmas Parade winds through the town with music, colour and magical characters, in a procession that links Parque Marechal Carmona to the Bay. For around an hour, the town centre is filled with festive energy, turning the streets into a show designed for the whole family.

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  • Things to do

Carolina Sales Café Estoril is celebrating Christmas with children’s cookie-decorating workshops on 7, 14, 20 and 21 December. Kids get to create festive cookies, take them home with a certificate and personalised packaging, all while enjoying a fun, festive afternoon.

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  • Hotels

At Farol Hotel, Christmas is celebrated by the Atlantic with menus that blend tradition and innovation. The Christmas Eve dinner on December 24 features dishes such as flaked cod with roasted aubergine and a three-textured duck tart, while the Christmas Day brunch on 25 offers fresh seafood, roasted cod, pork leg and classic desserts, creating a complete gastronomic experience.

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  • Things to do

From December 9 to 30, Museu do Mar Rei D. Carlos presents “Fishermen’s Christmas,” a free activity for families and school groups (ages 6‑12) that revives the Christmas traditions of the local fishing community. Participants work together to create a Christmas ornament, celebrating sharing and togetherness.

  • Things to do

The Veneziano Carousel, with its two levels and classic charm that delights both children and adults, returns to operate daily at Cascais Bay for Christmas 2025. It’s a must-visit for families seeking a fun festive experience. Just a short walk away, in Jardim Visconde da Luz, the traditional Viena Carousel continues to spin as always.

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