New Year in Lisbon 2023 | Top 9 Things to Do, Events, Parties & More!
Weather in Lisbon during New Year’s Eve
Average Temperature: 12℃
- Highest Temp: 16℃
- Lowest Temp: 9℃
Chances of Rain: December and January are the wettest months of the year, with 10 days of rain each month.
What to Wear: The temperatures drop in December, and the weather becomes slightly breezy and chilly. A moderate sweater would be enough to keep you warm for the month of December in Lisbon if you are comfortable in the cold, else something slightly warmer.
Top 9 Things to do on New Year in Lisbon
1. Party at Praça do Comércio
The night always starts at the open-air quad in the city centre and is a frenzy of music, drinks, fun and laughter. Starting at 10 pm and going into the wee hours of the morning, head here to start your NYE.
Why Visit?
- Don’t miss out on the biggest NYE celebration and fireworks at the city centre!
- Listen to traditional Portuguese music live and soak in the festive atmosphere.
2. Try the Delectable Desserts
Festive seasons come with festive treats. While you’re in Lisbon, make sure to try the Broas Castelares cakes and indulge your sweet tooth!
Why try?
- Broas Castelares are Portuguese cakes made from sweet potatoes, especially made during the Christmas season.
- Grab a bite of these cakes and make sure you revel in Portuguese delicacies.
3. Grab Tickets to a Carnival
The city of Lisbon lights up for the festive season, and events are in plenty. Head to the city’s oldest auditorium which is known to host some great gigs.
Why Visit?
- The Coliseu de Lisboa is a famous auditorium in Lisbon which transforms in December.
- It hosts trapeze artists, illusionists and also exhibitions that are a must-visit.
4. Enjoy a Night of Fado
Fado is traditional Portuguese music that is mellow and usually sentimental. This genre of music is usually enjoyed by all, especially during the festive season.
Why Visit?
- Experience traditional Fado music and ring in the New Year Portuguese style!
- Make sure to make a reservation at a restaurant or buy your tickets to the concert beforehand as venues tend to get booked out.
5. Book a Cruise
Step aboard a boat cruising down River Tejo and enjoy a night of sparkling wine and raisins, while you watch the celebrations from the water.
Why Visit?
- Book a cruise on River Tejo and watch the fireworks in style!
- Complement the cruise with a lovely dinner and drinks to bring in the new year.
6. Try Your Luck at a Casino
Use the last day of the year to turn your luck around or ride a lucky streak at the turntables. You never know what’s in store.
Why Visit?
- Enjoy the live music and great food at the casino.
- Try your hand at roulette, blackjack and more and you might walk away with heftier pockets!
7. Go On a Pub Crawl
All the pubs in the city would be filled with people anticipating the stroke of midnight. Revel in the fun at each club before you find one to settle down in and enjoy.
Why Visit?
- All pubs would have a special New Year menu for you to enjoy!
- Try the cocktails and drinks at each and every pub in the city centre for a night to forget!
.jpg?auto=format&w=468.29999999999995&h=267.59999999999997&q=90&fit=crop&ar=7%3A4)
8. Skip The Crowd
Loud music and crowds of people celebrating may not be everyone’s ideal way of spending New Years. If you’re looking for something more low-key, head to Cascais.
Why Visit?
- If you’d like to avoid crowded areas during New Year, head to Cascais, a seaside town close by.
- Ring in the New Year at this quiet marina and watch the fireworks away from the crowds.
9. Keep Up with Traditions
While in Portugal, live like the Portuguese! Be it in terms of what you wear, or what you eat, celebrate like the locals with their traditions.
Why Visit?
- Even if you’re at a fancy restaurant, make sure to eat 12 raisins, one for each month of the year.
- Usher in the New Year with bebidas alcoólicas (alcoholic beverages) rather than water.
Parties & Events on New Year’s Eve in Lisbon
1. Le Reveillon
Head to Convento do Beato for one of the most exciting private events in Lisbon. You have the option to buy a pass that would allow you entry into the party, or another option to include dinner in the combo.
Indulge in the drinks at midnight, and feast on the Portuguese buffet around 4 am.
Location: Alameda do Beato 40, 1950-042 Lisboa
Find on Map
2. Fim de Ano
Another famous event in Lisbon, head to the Palácio Real da Tapada da Ajuda for New Years. A riverside event, get great views of the water while also enjoying a night of drinks, dinner and live music.
Location: Tapada da Ajuda 44, Lisbon
Find on Map
3. LuxFrágil
Known to host the best DJs on the international circuit, this club also hosts fabulous NYE parties. The club is known for its genres of techno and house music.
Location : Av. Infante D. Henrique a Sta Apolónia Cais da Pedra, Armazém A, 1950-376 Lisboa, Portugal
Book now
4. Silk Club
Head to the Silk Club for an elegant night of dancing, superb cocktails and music. The disco club also offers fabulous views of the city’s skyline.
Location: Edifício Espaço Chiado, R. da Misericórdia 14, 1200-273 Lisboa, Portugal
Find on Map
5. Pink Street
Once Lisbon’s red light district, Pink Street underwent a complete makeover and is now one of the hottest streets in all of Europe. Pink Street gets decked up before New Years and is a local favourite to bar hop, attend events, and visit the best clubs.
Location: R. Nova do Carvalho, 1200-370 Lisboa, Portugal
Find on Map
6. Belém
This local neighbourhood is a hub for New Year events and gatherings. Gather at the Belem Tower and watch the fireworks, and then head to the bars and clubs lining the streets for a night of music and fun!
Location: Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal
Find on Map
7. Cacilhas
Located on the other bank of the River Tejo, Cacilhas is a venue with live concerts starting around 11 pm. The celebrations and fireworks continue till 2 am, after which you can take a ferry back to Cais do Sodré.
Find on Map
8. Castelo de São Jorge
Located atop a hill, the castle is one of Portugal's oldest monuments, and a great place to ring in the new year. You’re able to catch the best of the fireworks across the city’s skyline, and even pop open some bubbly to commemorate the occasion.
Location: R. de Santa Cruz do Castelo, 1100-129 Lisboa, Portugal
Find on Map
9. MusicBox
Known for more informal music gigs, MusicBox is great to check out indie artists. MusicBox is also known to host theme parties now and again, make sure you check the theme for NYE.
Location: R. Nova do Carvalho 24, 1200-019 Lisboa, Portugal
Find on MapPlan Your New Year Eve in Lisbon
Metro - Fully air-conditioned and one of the easiest ways to get around the city. The metro has a total of four lines - red, yellow, blue and green, which connect one end of Lisbon to the other. The metro runs till 1 am on January 1st.
Bus - The bus system has 172 routes running across Lisbon. The bus operates till 11 pm everyday.
Tram - Tram 28 is the most popular, and the six trams in operation today reach the hilly parts of the city.
Frequently Asked Questions About Celebrating New Year's Eve in Lisbon
New Year in Lisbon is a festive mix of fireworks, drinks, music, food and year old traditions.
On New Years, make sure to catch the biggest public party in the city centre and watch the fireworks
If you’d like to keep away from the crowd, there are options to celebrate New Years at a quieter neighbouring town or by the marina.
The festive season in Lisbon is great for kids, where you can visit the Christmas markets and roam the illuminated streets celebrating.
Lisbon attracts a lot of tourists and can get crowded on New Years.
Lisbon is a safe city in general, however beware of petty theft on public transport in Lisbon.
Buy tickets to Le Reveillon no Convento do Beato or Fim de Ano to enjoy some of the best private New Year events.
Join the crowd at Praça do Comércio in the city centre for a fun community viewing of the New Year fireworks.
December can be chilly, and is one of the wettest months of the year, averaging 12℃.
Lisbon is warmer than other European cities in winter and therefore a good choice for those who prefer warmth.
Popping 12 raisins at midnight, listening to Fado and wearing blue underwear are some of the main Portuguese New Year traditions.
Fried cod and Broas Castelares are some food items to look out for on the menu.