Christmas in Lisbon – visit Wonderland Lisbon, the biggest Christmas market in Portugal
The Eduardo VII Park in the very heart of Lisbon is getting ready to receive, for the third consecutive year, a Christmas market and fair, known as Wonderland Lisboa.
The previous editions of the even were a great success and this year the fair’s promoters promise even more attractions and Christmas magic, especially for the young ones. Wonderland Lisbon 2018 opens its door to the public on December 1st.
Wonderland’s Ferris wheel has already became an integral part of Lisbon’s winter landscape.
Lisbon Wonderland attractions
A great Ferris wheel is the most noticeable element of the Christmas town that occupies the Eduardo VII park for approximately a month during the winter time.
This year it is supposed to be even bigger and more modern, sporting air conditioned glass-enclosed cabins with 360° view providing a panorama of Lisbon center, all the way to River Tagus.
Impressive is also the 20 meter tall Christmas tree towering over Wonderland. It’s illumination on December 1st will mark the official inauguration of the fair.
Plenty of other attractions are to be found on the grounds of Wonderland, which doubled in size compared to the year before, catering for the needs of both children and adults. In the central part of the park, on its vast lawns, apart from the wheel, a prominent spot takes an ice skating ring. With a total area of 800 sqm, the rink has a capacity for 120 people. Much like the rest of the fair, Wonderland ice rink uses eco-friendly, energy-saving technologies.
Wonderland Kids, a dedicated zone filled with carousels and other rides, caters for the youngest visitors of the park. Everyone is welcome to the Christmas Village, the realm of Santa Clause.
The event is sponsored by one of the major TV stations, TVI, which offers an extensive media coverage and daily live transmissions with the participation of famous guests but also the general public.
Christmas market, with a large variety of products on sale is an important part of Wonderland Lisbon. The selection of stalls with handicraft, Christmas themed products as well as local delicacies, preserves, artisan cheese, wine and liqueurs – significantly bigger than the last year – offers a great opportunity to get ahead with the Christmas shopping and for tourists, to buy souvenirs.
Wonderland visitors won´t go hungry: the food stalls offering anything from simple snacks, roasted chestnuts, churros (or their Portuguese version, fartura), hot chocolate and mulled wine to more complex dishes of the local gastronomy are plentiful.
The Christmas market stalls are located along the lateral park alleys.
See the map of Wonderland Lisbon 2018.
In 2016, half a million guests visited the first edition of Wonderland Lisboa. A year later, the number of visitors soared up to 700,000. It is to expect that this year a new record will be set.
According to the statistics developed by the event promoters, Wonderland is the most popular among young couples and families with children. The very central location, right next to Marquess de Pombal roundabout, make the Wonderland a popular stop also for the tourists during their winter holiday in Lisbon.
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Wonderland Lisboa – opening hours
Lisbon Christmas fair and market will be held from 1 of December to 1 of January. The weekday working hours are 10am to 10pm (10am to midnight on Fridays). On Saturdays the fair opens its gates between 10 am and midnight and on Sunday between 10am and 10 pm. The entrance to the fair grounds is free; the major attractions (Ferris wheel, ice rink, etc.) are paid.
