Boas Festas, pessoal! It’s that time of the year again, and Portugal comes alive with lights, decorations and nativity scenes. Join me on a delightful exploration of three cherished Portuguese Christmas traditions that add a touch of magic to the holiday season, and learn the appropriate Holiday greetings for Christmas in Portugal!
A Consoada🍽️
As Christmas Eve descends, the Portuguese eagerly partake in the cherished Consoada, a festive dinner that extends into the early hours. The consoada is celebrated on the 24th of December. Some religious families choose to eat before Missa do Galo (Midnight Mass) and others after. Families gather around the table to share a sumptuous meal featuring traditional dishes, with Bacalhau taking the centre position. Some families chose to cook octopus instead. Each region offers its unique culinary delights. From the iconic Bolo Rei (King Cake) to the aromatic Rabanadas (egg, sugar and cinnamon toast), to the Algarvian Empanadilhas (also known as Azevias in Alentejo), Consoada is a celebration of flavours that vary across households and regions.
The traditional Christmas cod recipe is a humble meal consisting of cod served with potatoes, carrots, Portuguese cabbage and eggs – All boiled, topped with a drizzle of olive oil. If you’d like to prepare this traditional meal for your Christmas this year, find out all you need to know in this post Bacalhau da Consoada de Natal.
The Christmas Tree🎄
These days, you’ll find a Christmas tree in practically every Portuguese home. But did you know it wasn’t always a tradition here? The tradition started back in 1844 when Fernando II set up the first Christmas tree in Portugal at the Royal Palácio de Necessidades in Lisbon.
The preferred date to set up the tree is the first day of Advent. But many follow the tradition of putting up their Christmas trees on the 8th of December in Portugal – The day dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.
Presents🎁 are exchanged after midnight on Christmas Eve or the morning of the 25th.
Nativity Scenes: A Time-Honoured Craft✴️
When stepping into the streets of Portugal during the Christmas season, you’ll encounter intricate nativity scenes, known as presépios. These handcrafted displays beautifully depict the birth of Jesus, featuring not only the Holy Family but also Portuguese scenes from everyday life. From bustling marketplaces to serene countryside settings and salinas, these presépios transport observers into a miniature, festive world.
Did You Know: In Portugal, it’s common for families to add their personal touch to nativity scenes, incorporating elements that reflect their own daily lives, creating a truly unique and personalised representation. Read more about this tradition in the post Portuguese Nativity Scenes
🤶🎅Christmas Greetings in Portuguese☃️
Next, we have the most common Christmas greetings in Portugal:
More Portuguese Christmas Vocabulary
Christmas Themed Interactive Activities
