Last Updated on November 16, 2025 by Emily Hopkins
The New Year is a welcome relief for many people around the world; a moment to pause, reflect on the past year, and appreciate how far you’ve come while setting intentions for the year ahead. But is New Year’s Eve in Portugal any different from what you’re used to back home?
In order to usher in the New Year properly, people from around the world celebrate New Year’s Eve in different ways. Some dress up and party the night away, while others stay home with friends and family. So if you visited Portugal during the Christmas holiday and are planning to stay until New Year’s, you’re probably wondering what New Year’s Eve in Portugal looks like.
To give you a glimpse of what to expect during this time of year, let’s explore some popular traditions and the best places to spend New Year’s Eve in Portugal. Tag along to discover more.
How is New Year’s Eve celebrated in Portugal?
Like any other place, New Year’s Eve in Portugal is a happy time when everyone gathers around. Although there are some traditions that the Portuguese locals share, people celebrate New Year’s Eve in different ways in various regions. That said, sharing a meal with friends and family is a tradition that cuts across many celebrations in Portugal.
Read Also: How Much Money Do You Need to Move to Portugal?
December 31st: The New Year’s Eve
Although New Year’s Eve is not a public holiday in Portugal, this year is quite different. Because it is on Saturday, everyone will have enough time to prepare adequately to welcome the New Year in style. There are various ways the Portuguese celebrate New Year’s Eve. However, one thing that will always make an appearance is a nice home-cooked meal. Immediately after welcoming the New Year, the real New Year’s celebration begins.
Portuguese New Year’s Eve traditions to celebrate
People typically celebrate at home or in various locations depending on the city, but most New Year’s Eve festivities in Portugal revolve around a few shared traditions. Here are some of the most popular customs you can join in this year.
Eating raisins at midnight
It goes without saying that Portuguese culture is grounded around food and sharing a meal as a family. With this in mind, you can almost expect some sort of shared meal at most celebrations, including new year’s eve.
One of the most popular traditions at this time of year is eating raisins at midnight, just before the year ends. This age-old custom involves eating 12 raisins and making 12 wishes while wearing something blue. Each raisin represents a month of the coming year, and the ritual is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. As the clock begins to strike midnight, everyone taking part gets ready with their 12 raisins in hand, waiting for the countdown to begin.
So if you want a streak of good luck for the coming year, you better get ready with your raisins. However, if you are at a restaurant in Portugal during this time, fret not; the raising will be handed to you.
Hitting a pan or pot
This is another new year’s ritual that is rather unusual. One thing about Portuguese culture is that there are some superstitions that the local folk believe in, which are part of the culture and tradition. One of these superstitions about new year’s eve is that you wouldn’t want to start a new year without money in your pockets. By doing this, you risk not having money for the rest of the year.
To prevent this from happening, locals bang pots and pans with wooden spoons to drive away the evil spirits tied to this belief. The loud clatter also signals the arrival of the New Year. This lively ritual takes place right after eating the raisins, so don’t be surprised if you see people leaning out of their windows and making lots of noise at midnight.
Enjoy the Fireworks
Although watching the fireworks spectacle is not exclusive to Portugal, it is one of the ways the Portuguese people usher in the New Year. Different cities across the country organize such events for everyone to enjoy and marvel at the show. If you want to enjoy one of the best fireworks events in the world, be sure to visit the island of Madeira this year.
This fireworks spectacle is one of the largest in the world and is even recognized by the Guinness World Records. What makes it even more breathtaking is how the bursts of color reflect on the ocean, creating a truly magical scene.
During this time, friends and families gather out of their houses and assemble in strategic locations to witness the great fireworks display that is in action. While it is enjoyable to watch this display, you should also keep in mind that not everyone can launch fireworks into the sky. You will need a license before organizing a firework display of your own.
Read Also: How To Move From The UK To Portugal.
Toasting with sparkling wine/champagne
The Portuguese are not the only ones who raise a glass of wine or champagne in the air to toast the beginning of a new year. This is a common tradition that most people around the world also take part in. In Portugal, however, this is done while enjoying the twelve raising as described above.
On New Year’s Eve, it’s customary to raise a glass of wine or champagne with friends and family. Just remember not to cross your arms while toasting and to maintain eye contact as you wish each other a happy and prosperous New Year.
Dip in the ocean
More of a January 1st than a new year’s eve tradition, the few individuals who can brave the cold make their way to the ocean and take their first dip of the year on the first day of the first month of the year. Remember, January is a cold month in Portugal; in fact, some regions experience a wet and cold winter, unlike other parts of the world, like Australia, where it is summer.
Let’s be honest, it takes real determination to dive into the cold ocean. For some, the motivation might even come from wanting to shake off the previous night’s hangover. Still, as the saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. So if you’re curious about this tradition, head to the nearest beach and take a plunge into the icy water.
Read also: Portugal Day: Celebrate Portuguese culture
The typical New Year’s Eve foods and sweets
By now, you already know that food is part of Portuguese culture, and no celebration is complete without having mouth-watering meals. For New Year’s Eve celebrations, there are several foods and sweets that are popular.
Although households are different and may choose to relish different delicacies, it is common to find the following cuisines in most homes during this time of the year. Let’s take a look at some of the typical meals that you will find in most homes for new year’s eve celebrations.
Codfish
Better known as bacalhau in Portugal, salted dried codfish is one of the country’s most iconic dishes. To put it into perspective, the Portuguese consume about 20% of the world’s cod. With more than 1,000 different recipes, bacalhau can be prepared in countless ways, from time-honored traditional methods to modern, flavor-packed variations loved across the country.
Every Portuguese restaurant has at least one dish made of cod fish. Because of this huge popularity, it is common to find this meal in homes during different festivities. Salted dried Codfish is often served with some veggies like potatoes or carrots on the side.
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Seafood
Portugal’s geography explains why seafood is such an essential part of its cuisine. With over 934 km (540 miles) of coastline, the country has relied on the ocean for food for thousands of years. From shrimp and tuna to squid, octopus, and mussels, Portugal offers an incredible variety of seafood. So it’s no surprise that you’ll likely find some of these delicious dishes on the table this New Year’s Eve as well.
King cake
Bolo Rei, also referred to as the king cake, is one of the most popular Portuguese desserts that is associated with Christmas. This is one delicacy that many people wait for all year long and has been appreciated for generations. Similar to most Portuguese cuisines, the king cake has a diversity of flavors and tastes.
Although cuisines vary in regions, King cake is one of those meals that are always there in most homes. Made of various dried fruits and plenty of almonds, this sweat bread is a must-try for anyone new to the Portuguese gastronomic scene.
French toast
Portuguese French toast, also referred to as Rabanadas, is what you are used to. The fact that it is served as a dessert during special celebrations should tell you that it is indeed something special.
These distinctive French toasts are made by soaking the bread in condensed or sweetened milk, dipping it in an egg wash, and frying it in oil. Once cooked, they’re coated in cinnamon sugar for that signature sweet flavor. Traditionally, this dish is enjoyed with a glass of wine to complement the rich, indulgent taste.
Read also: How Is New Year’s Eve Celebrated in Spain?
The best Portuguese regions to visit during New Year’s Eve
Ideally, there is no better region than the other. Each region in Portugal has its own twist to new year’s eve celebrations that make it special and unique. It all comes down to your individual preferences. While you may decide to spend New Year’s Eve in the Lisboa region, you can visit other regions for another festivity.
Read also: Best Time To Visit Portugal: Plan Your Relocation
New Year’s Eve Celebrations across Portugal
The Christmas and New Year’s celebrations are quite important to the Portuguese people. It is a time of fun and entertainment that involves the whole family. As people from around the world prepare to usher in the New Year, Portugal is often a good destination for tourists and expats alike. So if you’re confused about where to go for this year’s celebrations, keep reading. This should give you a good idea of the right destination for you.
New Year’s Eve in Lisbon
Of course, one of the best places to ring in the New Year is in Portugal’s capital, Lisbon. The celebrations here are exactly as you’d imagine, spectacular fireworks and lively entertainment, especially at the iconic Praça do Comércio.
In this particular square, there are live bands for your music. However, if you want to witness the spectacular fireworks explosion, be sure to visit the highest place in the city of Castelo de São Jorge. But this is not all; the capital has plenty to offer, especially during this important night of the year.
- Is it easy to get by in the busiest city? Read all about Public Transport in Lisbon.
New Year’s Eve in Porto
The final night of the year is graced by many entertainment scenes in the streets of Porto. There are live concerts and the hard-to-miss fireworks display right on the river right above Luiz I Bridge which is often the main attraction. The firework display in Porto is one of the best in the country. It not only lasts for several minutes but also has an explosion of colors that is visible from almost everywhere in the city.
Once the show is over, there are different places where you can go with friends and family to enjoy the night away. There are many nightclubs along the Ribeira of Porto or Gaia stretch, which are quite popular and are often full during such nights.
New Year’s Eve in the Algarve
The Algarve region is not only popular during the summer. Many tourists and locals also choose to spend their last night of the year in this beautiful place. January is a cold month in Portugal. But the weather in the Algarve region makes it possible for the celebrations to happen outdoors.
Like other cities, the Algarve region has its own unique celebrations. While some prefer to spend the evening in luxury villas or upscale suites, a popular gathering spot is Praia dos Pescadores in Albufeira. Visitors can enjoy live bands, concerts, and spectacular fireworks shows to ring in the New Year.
- Is it busy around New Year celebrations? Check out our article on Finding A Rental In The Algarve: Why Is It So Hard?
New Year’s Eve in Madeira
One of the greatest destinations where you want to be during this time of the year is, hands down, Madeira. This beautiful island is small, but the celebrations are big. It is no mistake that cruise ships head to this region just before the New Year’s celebrations.
Madeira hosts one of the biggest fireworks displays in Portugal, with pyrotechnics launched from over 50 locations across the island. The vibrant colors reflecting on the ocean create a breathtaking spectacle that can truly be appreciated only by experiencing it in person.
What do expats like to do during New Year’s Eve in Portugal?
If it is your first new year’s eve in Portugal, it is common to get lonely, especially during the periods when everyone is gathering around friends and family. However, Portugal doesn’t have a shortage of interesting things to do, especially during the last night of the year.
Some expats choose to follow their individual end-year traditions to feel whole and also to keep the homesickness away. However, most expats in Portugal step out of their homes and converge in the various entertainment spaces to enjoy the good vibe common during this time.
Is it worth celebrating New Year’s Eve in Portugal?
Absolutely! Portugal is a good destination to visit all year round. In fact, the best time to visit Portugal is just before Christmas, all the way to the New Year’s celebrations. This is particularly true for anyone looking to learn more about Portuguese culture and traditions.
During this time of year, you’ll get a front-row experience of Portugal’s rich and diverse cuisine that will leave your taste buds wanting more. You’ll also gain a deeper appreciation for how much these traditions mean to the locals.
Other than Easter and a few other festivities, New Year’s Eve and Christmas are the right times to immerse yourself deep into the traditions.
Read Also: Cost Of Living In Portugal Versus The USA.
Are you ready for New Year’s Eve in Portugal?
There are many reasons why you would want to visit Portugal for this New Year’s Eve celebration. If it is not because of the traditions and food, then it has to be about the wonderful fireworks display.
So whenever you’re ready to make the move to Portugal, be sure to reach out to our team at Viv Europe. We are more than ready to make your dreams of moving and living in Portugal a reality. For any further questions, be sure to follow our Facebook Group – All About Portugal For Expats, and ask away.
