City guide
Christmas and New Year in Braga
In recent years Braga has lit up its historic centre in December, opened Christmas stalls and celebrated New Year's Eve in the street, and many families come home to the Minho for the holidays. This guide covers what usually happens in the city over the holidays and which of our three Braga apartments fits which kind of stay.
When it happens
In recent years the council's Christmas programme has started with the lights going on at the beginning of December, with some events, such as the Priscos live nativity, running into January. The programme is announced each November and changes from year to year, so check the council's own announcements before you plan around a particular day.
Portugal has two public holidays in early December, on 1 and 8 December, and many Portuguese families make long weekends of them. The busiest days of the season are Christmas Eve, when families gather for the consoada dinner, and New Year's Eve.
What's on in the city
Recent editions have had Christmas lights across the historic centre, a large Christmas tree in Praça da República, Christmas stalls on Avenida Central and an ice rink in the centre. Most of it is in the city centre, within walking distance of the cathedral.
In recent years the Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary, above the city, has been lit up for the season, with a lit nativity scene by the lake. In the parish of Priscos, just outside Braga, a live nativity scene has been staged from mid-December into January.
On Christmas Eve, Braga keeps the Bananeiro, a local tradition of eating bananas and drinking moscatel.
New Year's Eve on Avenida Central
In recent years Braga has welcomed the new year with a street party on Avenida Central, with live music and DJs from late evening until the early hours. Check the council's programme for the year's line-up.
Our two apartments on Largo do Paço, next to the cathedral, are within walking distance of Avenida Central, so you can walk to the party and back without driving or looking for a taxi on the busiest night of the year.
Coming home for Christmas
If you live abroad and come back to the Minho for the holidays, the family house is not always big enough for everyone. Renting a whole apartment near the family gives you your own space, a kitchen to cook for the Christmas Eve dinner, and somewhere quiet to rest between visits.
Our largest Braga apartment, east of the centre, has room for a whole family, with a full kitchen, a washing machine and free private parking. For a stay of one to three weeks, send us your dates and we will check availability.
Tips for a winter stay
December in Braga is cold and often wet, so bring a warm coat and an umbrella. All our apartments have heating.
Shops, restaurants and some museums close or shorten their hours on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January. Book a table ahead for those days, or plan to cook in the apartment.
Book as soon as you know your dates. You can book directly with us, the owners, with no platform fees.
How far things are from our apartments
| Place | Rua Engenheiro José Justino de Amorim | Largo do Paço |
|---|---|---|
| Sé de Braga | 1.5 km | 83 m |
| Braga Municipal Market | 1.7 km | 0.4 km |
| Braga Train Station | 2 km | 0.7 km |
| Braga Bus Station | 1.7 km | 0.6 km |
| Bom Jesus do Monte | 2.9 km | 4.1 km |
Where to stay: our apartments
Feel At Home - Free private parking
Rua Engenheiro José Justino de Amorim 82, 4715-023 Braga, Portugal
Feel at Home - Largo do Paço
9 Largo do Paço 2ºE, 4700-320 Braga, Portugal
Feel at Home - Sé de Braga
9 Largo do Paço 2ºE, 4700-320 Braga, Portugal
Staying near a hospital, campus or venue?
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Nov 4 – Nov 6Concerto Solidário com Sofia Escobar e Orquestra do Norte
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Nov 6 – Nov 8Manuel Campos | 15 Anos de Carreira
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Nov 7Memórias do Cárcere
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Nov 9Braga En'Cena – Quem matou a galinha?
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Nov 10Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Christmas lights on in Braga?
In recent years they have gone on at the beginning of December. The council announces each year's programme, including when the lights go off, in November.
Where is the New Year's Eve party in Braga?
In recent years it has been a street party on Avenida Central, in the city centre, with music until the early hours.
Can I check in on Christmas Day?
No. We do not check guests in on 25 December. Arriving on 24 or 31 December is fine.
Is there a minimum stay over New Year's Eve?
No. The minimum stay is 1 night all year, New Year's Eve included.
Are the apartments warm enough in winter?
Yes. All our Braga apartments have heating and a full kitchen.
More guides
- Where to stay in Braga
- Braga in 2 days: a weekend itinerary
- A Douro Valley day trip from Vila Real
- Semana Santa in Braga: where to stay for Holy Week
- Christmas and New Year in Vila Real
- São João in Braga: where to stay for the festival
- Braga Romana: where to stay for the Roman festival
- Easter in Vila Real: Holy Week and the Douro in spring
- June festivals in Vila Real: Santo António and São Pedro
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