What's happening in Porto: 11-17 December 2023
Macrame workshop, socializing supper club, Christmas parties, and more.
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Monday, 11 December
Tile painting workshop, at Agostinha, 10h30-12h30
Drink port wine while learning to paint tiles. The cost is 40€ and registration is required.
Christmas market, at Peculiar Gallery, 11h-17h
This gallery hosts their first market featuring handcrafted Christmas gifts. They will have original art prints starting at €20, with limited editions from €10, secondhand objects and other surprises. Free to attend.
Tuesday, 12 December
Christmas market, at Peculiar Gallery, 11h-17h
This gallery hosts their first market featuring handcrafted Christmas gifts. They will have original art prints starting at €20, with limited editions from €10, secondhand objects and other surprises. Free to attend.
Ultimate frisbee social meetup, at Parque da Cidade do Porto, 17h30-19h30
Mixed-gender mixed-cultural "ultimate frisbee" in Porto is alive and well, but since daylight savings their training day is now in the evening, followed by food and drinks. Free to attend.
Art and food meetup, at Mercado Bom Sucesso, 19h-22h
Sketch, paint, socialize, and grab something to eat in this food hall. RSVP for this free event, but bring your own art supplies.
Bachata and salsa class, at Espaço Compasso, 19h-22h
This evening will offer opportunities to practice salsa and bachata lessons. Whether you’re a beginner or know a couple moves, you’ll have the chance to pick up something new. Costs 3€ and registration is required.
Running club, meet-up location varies, starts at 19h
Runners and walkers of all fitness levels meet weekly to exercise and socialize. Free to join. Email Warren for details and run location. The group also meets on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Wednesday, 13 December
Christmas market, at Peculiar Gallery, 11h-17h
This gallery hosts their first market featuring handcrafted Christmas gifts. They will have original art prints starting at €20, with limited editions from €10, secondhand objects and other surprises. Free to attend.
Data for green cities session, at Porto Innovation Hub, 13h30-14h15
City Café sessions are informal and relaxed, and this one (in Portuguese) will feature João Afonso Pereira, a biomedical engineer. In the last two years he has participated in and won several international competitions focused on sustainability. Free to attend, but registration required.
Macrame workshop, at Casa da Horta, starts 16h
In this workshop, you’ll be taught new knotting techniques. There will be a participation fee to cover the costs of the materials (around 5€) and registration is required.
Port wine tasting, at theLAB, starts 18h30
Ryan, certified Port Wine Educator will teach you all you need to know to enjoy port wine this holiday season. The 25€ cost includes five unique port styles plus a sampling from theLab’s private collection. Registration is required.
Vânia Leal concert, at Mercado do Bolhão, 19h-21h
This is a unique show curated by fado singer Gisela João and featuring Vânia Leal. Free to attend.
Ishmael Ensemble concert, at Hard Club, starts 21h
A Bristol-based band led by producer and saxophonist Pete Cunningham, who blends jazz, electronic, and world music influences. Tickets starts at 24€.
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Thursday, 14 December
Art therapy session, at Look.Sharp Cafe, 10h-12h
Join Lindsay Parkinson, LMFT, ATR, for an exploration of self-compassion through the lens of art therapy. This inclusive group will spark your creativity to reflect and create. Donations for art materials are requested and reservations are required.
Christmas market, at Peculiar Gallery, 11h-17h
This gallery hosts their first market featuring handcrafted Christmas gifts. They will have original art prints starting at €20, with limited editions from €10, secondhand objects and other surprises. Free to attend.
Christmas fair, at Mercado do Bolhão, 11h-20h
Bolhão opens its space to 22 temporary stalls dedicated to traditional national and Christmas products, 18 of which are devoted to food categories, complemented by 4 temporary stalls dedicated to non-food products. Free to attend.
Christmas soldiers show, at Mercado do Bolhão, starts 16h
This group of four Christmas-themed musicians entertain audiences with their tunes and good humor. Free to attend.
Children's workshop, at Campo Alegre, starts 17h30
This cultural non-profit association works mainly with children and young people. They will lead some workshops in different areas: music, dramatic expression, instruments, dance, and others (in Portuguese). Free to attend.
Filmmakers networking meetup, at Batalha Centro de Cinema, 18h-20h
A chance to meet other creatives in the field of cinema and for all levels of experience. This free event is a welcoming environment for presenting projects and expanding your professional network. Registration required.
Book club, at Francisca, 19h-21h
Usually this book club features science fiction or fantasy books, but for this event there is no specific theme. You are welcome to bring a book to discuss or come with an open mind. Free but reservations required.
Games night, at Nope Bar, 19h-23h59
From classics like Monopoly and Scrabble to modern gems like Catan and Codenames, this bar has its shelves stocked with various games for all to play. Free to attend. Reservations not required.
Riedel wine glass experience, at World of Wine, starts 19h
This educational session will demonstrate the relationship between the shape of the wine glass and the perception of pleasure. A workshop will have a comparative tasting of 4 different wines using 4 Riedel glasses to understand why the shape of a glass impacts the taste. Tickets are 25€.
Sofar Sounds concert, at a secret location near Baixa, starts 19h30
Sofar Sounds organizes up-and-coming performers from across musical genres in intimate settings. Musicians and location are kept secret until closer to event time. You can expect 2-3 short sets that last up to 3 hours total. Tickets are 15€.
Angelus Apatrida concert, at Hard Club, starts 20h30
This Spanish thrash band will be backed up by heavy metal groups Web and Evillution. Tickets are 22€.
“Portátil” comedy, at Teatro Sá da Bandeira, starts 21h30
Each show starts from an interview with an audience guest who creates the framework for improvised play by the members of Porta dos Fundos (in Portuguese). Tickets start at 18€.
Friday, 15 December
Pickleball session, at JUST Club, 9h-12h
Courts will be available for those who want to learn or those with experience in pickleball. The cost is 4€ per person for 1.5 hours. Registration is required.
Christmas market, at Peculiar Gallery, 11h-17h
This gallery hosts their first market featuring handcrafted Christmas gifts. They will have original art prints starting at €20, with limited editions from €10, secondhand objects and other surprises. Free to attend.
Christmas fair, at Mercado do Bolhão, 11h-20h
Bolhão opens its space to 22 temporary stalls dedicated to traditional national and Christmas products, 18 of which are devoted to food categories, complemented by 4 temporary stalls dedicated to non-food products. Free to attend.
Portuguese cooking class, at Pop Up Workshops, 12h-15h
Chef Hugo Araújo will be teaching how to make contemporary Portuguese food. Everything you need for the class is provided (in Portuguese). The cost is 45€ and registration is required.
Tile painting workshop, at Agostinha, 15h-17h
Drink port wine while learning to paint tiles. The cost is 40€ and registration is required.
Children's workshop, at Campo Alegre, starts 15h30
This cultural non-profit association works mainly with children and young people. They will lead some workshops in different areas: music, dramatic expression, instruments, dance, and others (in Portuguese). Free to attend.
Coworking space open house, at Le Wagon, 17h-20h
Check out the Matosinhos campus of Le Wagon (a tech boot camp), meet others from the local tech and startup scenes, and enjoy a free coworking space in this community for the day. Register here for free.
Christmas carols concert, at Mercado do Bolhão, starts 18h
A journey through the timeless sounds of Christmas as performed by a few singers, a guitarist, and a percussionist. Free to attend.
“Portátil” comedy, at Teatro Sá da Bandeira, multiple times
Each show starts from an interview with an audience guest who creates the framework for improvised play by the members of Porta dos Fundos (in Portuguese). Tickets start at 18€ for the 18h30 and 21h30 shows.
"Xeli's Tip" comedy show, at Auditório CCOP, 21h30-22h45
Michelle Cascais Rita created this comedy show out of the desire to tell personal stories aimed at changing consciousness through humor and sarcasm (in Portuguese). Tickets are 12€.
Nininho Vaz Maia concert, at Super Bock Arena, starts 21h30
This flamenco Portuguese singer and songwriter has more than 67 million views on his official channels, and his debut album "Raízes" was awarded the Platinum Record in Portugal. Tickets start at 22€.
ISAbella concert, at Pérola Negra, 23h59-6h
Barcelona DJ ISAbella takes over the turntables for this exciting show. Tickets start at 10€.
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Saturday, 16 December
Feira da Vandoma weekly flea market, at Av. 25 de Abril, 9h-18h
Find antiques, clothes, furniture, toys, books, and who knows what else at this weekly flea market. Free to attend. Since the market is outside, it is dependent on good weather.
Christmas dinner cooking class, at Zero Plástico, 10h-13h
Impress your friends by learning how to cook a traditional Portuguese Christmas feast of bacalhau cozido com todos, roupa velha, leite creme, and rabanadas. Everything you need (plus red wine and port) is included in the 38€ cost. Reservations are required.
Serralves Museum extension tour, at Serralves, starts 10h
Architect Álvaro Siza Vieira and engineer Jorge Silva will present the work and reveal the main challenges and solutions encountered in the construction of the new West Building of the Museum of Contemporary Art. A documentary video about the project will be shown during the session (in Portuguese). Free but registration is required.
Christmas market, at Peculiar Gallery, 11h-19h
This gallery hosts their first market featuring handcrafted Christmas gifts. They will have original art prints starting at 20€, with limited editions from 10€, secondhand objects and other surprises. Free to attend.
Christmas fair, at Mercado do Bolhão, 11h-20h
Bolhão opens its space to 22 temporary stalls dedicated to traditional national and Christmas products, 18 of which are devoted to food categories, complemented by 4 temporary stalls dedicated to non-food products. Free to attend.
Fashion meetup, at Labels of Tomorrow, 15h-18h
This inclusive event is for seasoned fashion enthusiasts or those simply passionate about the topic. A free event to engage with other creatives.
Portuguese Asian cooking class, at Pop Up Workshops, 15h-18h
Chef Diogo Coimbra, of Camilo, will be teaching how to make some Asian and Portuguese infused dishes. Everything you need for the class is provided (in Portuguese). The cost is 40€ and registration is required.
Christmas event, at Miguel Bombarda Arts District, 15h-19h
Celebrate Christmas a little early with music, street activities, creative workshops, an exhibition of alternative editions, and more, curated by "Zinefestpt." Free to attend and no registration required.
Guided tour of Camélias, at Casa São Roque, 16h-17h30
Professor Armando Oliveira and António Assunção will lead a special guided tour of the Camélias and centenary trees in Parque de São Roque and end with a (optional) 10-year-old port wine in a unique winter garden (in Portuguese). Tickets are 6€ or 12€ for the tour and a glass of port wine.
TEDx talk, at Atkinson Museum, 17h-20h
Features local speakers discussing various topics, from politics to pollination. This edition's theme is "Different," and will feature representatives from Tonic App, Gulbenkian Foundation, The Porto Protocol Foundation, University Nova Lisboa, and more. Tickets are 35€.
Jonathan Moly concert, at Auditório CCOP, 17h-22h
Venezuelan singer, composer, and producer Jonathan Moly is touring to support the release of the album "Metamorfosis." Tickets start at 20€.
Children's workshop, at Mercado do Bolhão, starts 18h
This cultural non-profit association works mainly with children and young people. They will lead some workshops in different areas: music, dramatic expression, instruments, dance, and others (in Portuguese). Free to attend.
Fun run, in Matosinhos, 18h-19h
Designed for those who love running or those who need a group to get motivated, the second edition of this run club is open to those who want to be fast and not furious. Free to attend but registration is required (exact location will be provided after registering).
Whisky pairing experience, at Eddie's Klub, 18h-20h
Eddie DeSousa, the owner of this bar, provides historical context and curates three Oloroso Sherry Whiskies and one Oloroso Sherry Wine, complimented with some sweets. Space is limited so reserve your 40€ spot.
Go_A concert, at Hard Club, 19h-22h
This Ukrainian electro-folk band has been around since 2012 and topping the dance charts for years. Tickets start at 32€.
Socializing supper club, at Look.Sharp Cafe, 19h30-22h
A dinner led by a new host every week which focuses on different topics and regional cuisine. The 25€ cost covers a starter, main, drink, and dessert. Reservation required.
“Tenho um papel para ti” comedy, at Teatro Sá da Bandeira, starts 21h
An improv comedy in which actors only have access to the text at the moment they take the stage (in Portuguese). Tickets are 20€.
"Uma Nêspera no Cu" comedy show, at Super Bock Arena, starts 21h
What started as a podcast among friends turned into a live show, and then it became a musical. This is the latest version starring Nuno Markl, Filipe Melo, and Bruno Nogueira (in Portuguese). Tickets start at 18€.
Pop Dell'Arte concert, at Bourbon Room Porto, starts 21h
This Portuguese avant-garde rock band started in 1985 and has found success worldwide. Tickets are 15€ at the door and includes 1 Super Bock beer.
Jolly Christmas concert, at Associação Recreativa Aurora da Liberdade, 21h30-23h
This Christmas recital, entitled "Jolly Christmas Songs," will feature soprano Lucía Escribano and pianist Filipe Cerqueira. Costs 10€ for members and 15€ for non-members. Registration is required.
Portuguese stand-up comedy show, at Pinguim Café, starts 22h
An underground comedy forum that allows you to check out up-and-coming Portuguese comics (in Portuguese). Tickets are 6€.
Frank Sinatra jazz concert, at Hot Five Jazz Club, 22h-1h
Porto Jazz Orchestra performs a tribute concert to Frank Sinatra. Tickets cost 12€.
Sound waves XMAS concert, at Hard Club, starts 23h
This XMAS edition will feature Cristobal Pesce, Joanna Coelho, and Vendex for a Christmas dance party. Tickets start at 22€.
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Sunday, 17 December
Weekly artisan market, at Jardim do Passeio Alegre, 9h-18h
Mercado da Alegria is a weekly opportunity to view and buy the work of dozens of local artisans and sellers. Free to attend. Since the market is outside, it is dependent on good weather.
Tile painting workshop, at Agostinha, 10h30-12h30
Drink port wine while learning to paint tiles. The cost is 40€ and registration is required.
Writing feedback workshop, at Rota do Chá, 16h-18h
This supportive group meets every first Sunday. Share your own work and provide constructive feedback to others. Free to attend but reservations are requested.
"Concerto Real" play, at Auditório CCOP, 17h-19h
This royal concert features mermaids, Chinese princesses, melodies from Greek temples, genies, and more (in Portuguese). Tickets are 12,50€.
Ugly Christmas sweater contest, at Scoundrels Distilling, 18h-20h30
Wear a handmade or purchased Christmas sweater to this party and potentially walk away with a prize. This free event at an award-winning distillery will have three categories (pretty, funny, and wacky) to compete in. Registration required (SMS 932 177 225 or WhatsApp).
Kathryn Joseph concert, at Auditório Francisco de Assis, starts 19h
Glasgow-based musician Kathryn Joseph won the Scottish Album of the Year award in 2015 and recently released her third album, which has been said to sound like unmediated transpositions of feeling. Tickets are 20€.
"Uma Nêspera no Cu" comedy show, at Super Bock Arena, starts 21h
What started as a podcast among friends turned into a live show, and then it became a musical. This is the latest version starring Nuno Markl, Filipe Melo, and Bruno Nogueira (in Portuguese). Tickets start at 18€.
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