Program parties submitted the day they lit the Christmas lights – publico

                 

                         
                     

                         
                     

                 

 
 

There are dozens of concerts, dance and theater events, performances of videomapping and the traditional festive illuminations marking Christmas in Lisbon. Promoted by the Council of Lisbon, was presented this Monday the Christmas and New Year program, and the big news is the extension of the duration of the initiatives linked to the New Year’s Eve from one to four days. Fernando Medina, Mayor of Lisbon, states that these events are “of great diversity and open to all.”

The budget for the Christmas lights is 320 thousand euros, the same level of the last two years, and the four days of the end of the year party represent a cost of 500,000 euros.

The three-day addition to the year-end festivities will there is a range of “musicians with huge transversal”, explains Luis Dams, representing the artists who will perform New Year’s Eve.

In the Palace Square, the night of December 31 will feature the Trovante group and Richie Campbell. On 1 will be on stage the singer Carminho, having as a guest singer Antonio Zambujo. The January 2nd act the D.A.M.A. and on day 3 the Symphonic Band of PSP. Pedro Santana Lopes, the Holy House of Mercy provider, believes that this event is “the guarantee of a party for those who may have no other”.

One of the presented schedule major attractions is the large Christmas tree which this year is installed on Rossio, place where the mayor inaugurated the Christmas lights, the 18h of Monday. The lighting consists of over 2.1 million bulbs – LED mainly to lower energy consumption – spread over 34 squares, streets and avenues. “This is what gives life to Christmas parties in Lisbon,” said Fernando Medina, adding that the realization of this event allows “increase the connection of people with the city and create living spaces and family.”

Victor Costa, Executive Director of the Tourism Association of Lisbon, considers that the Christmas program is “very attractive and very important for tourism” as it helps combat the seasonality problems that cause the number of decreases visitors in December and January.

In addition to the Christmas market, taking place from 8-24 December at the Town Hall Square, there will be exhibitions on Avenida da Liberdade, Rossio, Restauradores and Augusta Street. Carla Salsinha, President of the Trade and Service Associations Union states that “all these events bring people to see the illuminations,” which translates into “symbolic moment for trade in Lisbon.” There will also be an ice rink on Palace Square, funded by the chocolate company Ferrero , which will be operational from December 11 to January 10. In this same square will be projected all show nights videomappin g at 19, 20 and 21 hours.

These activities are promoted in partnership with the Santa Casa da Misericordia de Lisboa, with the Association of Turismo de Lisboa, with the Union of Trade and Services Associations and EGEAC.

Text edited by José Antonio Cerejo