New Year’s Eve in Lisbon with Santa and the Rooster!

Portuguese Rooster and Santa toast to the New Year Big Card

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Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is a wonderful place to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. Just before midnight, all eyes are on the clock at the Augusta Street Arch. The anticipation builds as the new year approaches. Revelers are in a rush, having already uncorked bottles of champagne and raising toasts on the famous Rua Augusta. If you're a fan of the famous Portuguese Rooster, these Christmas gifts are a perfect choice. You can gift them to a Portuguese relative, friend, friendly neighbor, work colleague, or anyone with a special connection to Portugal.

What can you do in Lisbon on New Year's Eve? While many observe the French Le Réveillon, fewer mention that it's also the night of São Silvestre, marking the last night of the year. According to Portuguese folklore, this celebration is linked to a popular legend that bestowed it the name São Silvestre Night.

Legend has it that long ago, the lost island of Atlantis, believed to stand at the junction of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, was defeated by the warriors of Athens. Plato referenced this naval power that conquered parts of Europe but met its downfall when attempting to conquer Athens. Catastrophic events, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, or even a comet impact, led to the submergence of Atlantis beneath the ocean's waters.

Centuries later, after the death of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary looked upon the Atlantic Ocean from the heavens. A saint passing by inquired about her contemplation. It was the night of São Silvestre, dedicated to him and marking the last night of the year. São Silvestre believed this night should hold a deeper significance for humanity, perhaps serving as an occasion to inspire repentance for past mistakes and renew hope for the future. The Virgin Mary lamented humankind's failure to learn from the tragedy of Atlantis and continued in their errant ways. She wept, and her tears turned into pearls that fell into the ocean, with one landing where Atlantis once stood. This speck grew into what São Silvestre named 'The Pearl of the Atlantic'—the island of Madeira. Additionally, beautiful lights appeared in the sky, which may have inspired the tradition of launching fireworks on New Year's Eve.

If you find yourself in Lisbon on New Year's Eve, you have numerous options to make it a memorable celebration. Some choose to partake in an extended festive dinner that stretches over several hours, pausing at midnight to usher in the New Year. You can stay inside a fine restaurant, where the excellent food, wine, and amiable locals guarantee a good time that seems to fly by.

Others prefer to head outdoors to the downtown area as soon as possible, joining the crowds at Praça do Comércio (Terreiro do Paço) or Belém (near the Belém Tower) to relish the live music and the midnight fireworks. If you fancy an elevated view, consider going uptown and searching for viewpoints to witness the spectacular fireworks display or ascend to Castelo de São Jorge, one of the city's highest points, which is usually open to the public on this last day of the year.

The most prominent and beloved street party and fireworks display occur at Praça do Comércio (Terreiro do Paço), the expansive square at the heart of Lisbon along the Tejo River. Portuguese artists often provide live music, and it's customary for people to bring bottles of champagne to open at midnight. Glasses and raisins are readily available. Following the countdown, many revelers venture to Pink Street and Cais do Sodré, a brief stroll from Praça do Comércio. A 15-minute walk away, uphill, you can reach Bairro Alto, a district filled with bars where you can enjoy a drink, mingle, and seek advice on clubs for dancing until dawn. If pub crawls aren't your style, you might opt for a river cruise or spend time at a Fado house. For those who enjoy dressing up, there are elegant black-tie parties to attend.

Don't be misled by the notion that Lisbon's winters are mild, as late evenings can get quite chilly, or even rainy. In recent days, the Lisbon region has experienced severe weather conditions, resulting in material damage and, tragically, loss of life. Some individuals in this area won't have the best Christmas this year. There have also been reports of flooding in homes in other southern regions due to heavy rains. We can only hope that the weather situation doesn't worsen and that people are advised to stay home.

If you plan to spend New Year's Eve in Lisbon, come well-prepared with warm clothing to shield yourself from the sea breeze and humidity that can sweep in from the ocean. Keep in mind that central heating is not common in Portuguese rentals. Even in some older hotels, which are beautiful and traditional, heating may not be of the highest quality. These days, the seasons aren't as predictable as they once were, so December can be rainy or dry, very cold or moderately temperate

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If you arrive in Portugal early, you might have the opportunity to witness the Corrida de São Silvestre, the Saint Silvester Road Race, which is a 10 km road race held in the days leading up to New Year's Eve. (Here's an interesting fact: This event is the oldest and most prestigious street race in Brazil, and numerous Portuguese athletes have claimed the top prize, including figures like Rosa Mota, Aurora Cunha, and Carlos Lopes...)

The 15th edition of the LIDL São Silvestre de Lisboa is scheduled for December 17, 2022, covering a 10 km route that commences and concludes at Av. da Liberdade.

On January 1st, Lisbon experiences a tranquil atmosphere, with most shops and restaurants being closed.

I didn't aim to provide an exhaustive account of New Year's Eve in Lisbon. There's already a wealth of information available online on how to enjoy New Year's Eve in Lisbon. I am not a tour guide, nor is this blog meant to direct your choices. My objective is to offer some insights, opinions, and perhaps some additional knowledge about our ways and traditions.

If you're looking for Portuguese-inspired Christmas or New Year's Eve gifts and cards, 

you may want to check A Portuguese Love Store.