This year, “O Lugar do Natal” (The Place of Christmas) is even more dazzling and offers even more reasons for everyone to visit. From 22 November onwards, the centre of Vila Nova de Famalicão will once again be transformed into a huge Christmas Village, putting the municipality of Famalicão on the map as a must-see destination for anyone who wants to enjoy the magic of the best time of the year.
The Christmas spirit is once again preparing to take over the city centre, with millions of lights, an ice rink, a giant Ferris wheel and tree, the traditional “Circo de Papel” produced by the National Institute of Circus Arts (INAC), Street Food, the Christmas Market, musical shows and entertainment for the little ones, which this year will have a new attraction in addition to the usual carousel and train - the “Praça dos Sonhos” (Dream Square) in Praça 9 de Abril, where Santa's Cabin, a mini train, a mini Ferris wheel, a mini carousel, a virtual reality space and a 26-metre Snow Tubing slide will also be installed.
The Famalicão Christmas Village, which this year will be set up in Praça D. Maria II, Praça 9 de Abril and also in Praça Mouzinho de Albuquerque, will open on 22 November at 18h00, when the multimedia show installed in Praceta Cupertino de Miranda will be presented and the Christmas lights will be switched on. In total, almost 4 million lights will illuminate the streets, roundabouts, squares and buildings of the city and towns of Famalicão until 6 January.
Praça D. Maria II will host the Multimedia Show, the Christmas Market, the Ferris Wheel (this year behind the Cupertino Miranda Foundation) and the Carousel and Christmas Train, organised by the Famalicão Commercial and Industrial Association (ACIF). In Praça Mouzinho de Albuquerque, in front of the Municipal Market, the Christmas Tree and Ice Rink will be installed. Praça 9 de Abril will then be transformed into the new Dream Square, a space dedicated to children. This is where the mini carousel, mini Ferris wheel and mini train, the snow tubing ramp, Santa's Cabin and a virtual reality space will be installed. There will be street food stalls throughout the venue.
The Mayor, Mário Passos, speaks of ‘one of the most special times of the year’. ‘Christmas deserves to be experienced with intensity and joy, and I am sure that in Famalicão we have all the ingredients to make this happen for all Famalicão families and for all those who visit us over the next month and a half’.
It should be noted that in Famalicão, the Christmas campaign is promoted by the local authority in partnership with ACIF, among other associations, institutions and companies in the municipality.
The entire programme will soon be available on the municipality's website at www.famalicao.pt.
Circo de Papel presents “Afections”
At ‘Lugar do Natal’, there is also room for INAC’s Circo de Papel (Paper Circus), which this year presents “Afetos: As Mais Belas Coisas do Mundo” (Affection: The Most Beautiful Things in the World). Between trapezes, acrobatics, juggling, clowning and poetry, the story of Flora will be told, a dreamer teacher who sees in the blossoming of children the deepest meaning of life, in a Christmas message about affection, childhood and the classroom.
A show where affection is the thread that ties each act together. A tribute to school and an invitation to (re)discover the most beautiful things in the world: care, love, listening and sharing.
Circo de Papel will be set up in Parque 1.º de Maio, in Vila Nova de Famalicão, from 29 November to 4 January, with sessions from Wednesday to Sunday.
Famalicão Christmas with an intense cultural programme
From 22 November onwards, music will also be a constant feature in the city. The highlight of the Christmas Village's cultural entertainment programme will take place on 7 December, with the Rusga de Joane Ethnographic Group inviting Portuguese fado singer Gisela João to a concert at the Cupertino de Miranda Foundation, which will celebrate popular Christmas songs and melodies.
The Praça - Municipal Market will once again host the (En)Coro Community concerts, with shows scheduled for 1, 7 and 14 December.
Also worth noting are the shows promoted by FAMART Ensemble, ACAFADO, the Euterpe quartet, the ARTAVE symphonic choir, among other artists and associations that will bring different shows to the city during this season.
In terms of sports, the 9th edition of São Silvestre de Famalicão is scheduled for 23 December at 21h30.
The usual “Famalicão Porto de Encontro”, promoted by the Famalicão Commercial and Industrial Association, will take place on 24 December.
