Christmas in São Miguel (Azores): Best Things to Do on Your December Trip
- Aina & Dani
- Oct 19
- 6 min read
Are you thinking about traveling to São Miguel for Christmas? Although São Miguel is still not a very well-known destination for Christmas travel, more and more people are starting to do it. And the truth is that locals live Christmas with great enthusiasm, so you’ll find a festive atmosphere in towns like Ponta Delgada—perfect to combine with the peacefulness you’ll find in the rest of the island during winter.
What’s special about visiting São Miguel at Christmas is that you can enjoy holiday traditions while combining them with the island’s incredible nature. And São Miguel in winter has so much to offer. So keep reading and get ready to celebrate Christmas in the Azores.
Also, don’t miss our São Miguel itineraries, perfect to adapt both for a Christmas trip and for any other time of the year:
Christmas in São Miguel – Contents:
If you haven't booked your rental car yet, don't miss out on the best rental deals on the island, with full coverage to protect you from any issues!
Christmas lights and decorations in São Miguel
Christmas in São Miguel starts when the lights are switched on in Ponta Delgada, usually at the end of November. The historic center fills with garlands, lights, and decorated shop windows that make strolling through the city feel wonderfully festive.
The liveliest spot is Campo de São Francisco, where they set up a giant tree (often a cryptomeria, the typical tree of the Azores), a light tunnel, a craft fair, and some years even an ice-skating rink. This is the perfect place to soak up the Christmas spirit in São Miguel, though we also recommend getting lost in the streets of Ponta Delgada to discover everything you can see and do in the island’s capital.
And if you’re traveling around December 8th, don’t miss Dia das Montras, when Ponta Delgada shops decorate their windows for a contest that’s famous for its creativity.
But it’s not all in Ponta Delgada. In towns like Furnas or Povoação, they also hold nativity inaugurations and Christmas decoration events, so we’re sure you’ll find holiday surprises across the island.
Christmas markets in São Miguel
Christmas markets are one of the things that bring the most atmosphere to São Miguel at Christmas. Although the main meeting point is at Campo de São Francisco, in Praça Gonçalo Velho in the heart of Ponta Delgada, you’ll also find stalls selling crafts, typical sweets, and homemade liqueurs.
In Praça Gonçalo Velho, they also set up a carousel, a mini-train, and Santa’s House (Casa de Papá Noel), which is a must-stop if you’re traveling with kids. Some years they even build an ice rink, although not every year.
Another positive aspect of visiting São Miguel at Christmas is that the city hall usually offers perks like free parking, raffles, or vouchers to spend in downtown restaurants. But since this doesn’t happen every year, we recommend checking the official Christmas program of Ponta Delgada, published each year on the Câmara Municipal Ponta Delgada website.
Nativity scenes in São Miguel
If there’s one thing that never fails in São Miguel at Christmas, it’s nativity scenes. In our opinion, this is something that defines all of Portugal. In São Miguel, practically every town prepares its own with a special touch, and it’s worth touring them to see how they change from place to place.
In Povoação, for example, the nativity spreads across several downtown streets and mixes biblical scenes with snapshots of the island’s rural life, with mills, traditional houses, and moving figures. You’ll love it!
And one of the most famous is the Furnas nativity, set up next to the fumaroles, with steam and the smell of sulfur in the background. If you can, visit at night to enjoy the special lighting. And if you happen to be there on its opening day (which varies each year), you’ll also enjoy live folk music groups.
Other nativity scenes worth visiting are the one at Casa do Arcano, the Manaías, or Prior Evaristo Gouveia’s in Ribeira Grande—all with different styles. Plus, there are nativity and shop window contests across the island, so you’ll come across them in various places.
Haven't booked your accommodation yet? For your stay in São Miguel, we recommend Herdade do Ananás, a cozy and unique hotel with a pineapple greenhouse; Comercial Azores Boutique, in the center of Ponta Delgada, and Canadiano Urban Nature, a perfect balance of quality and price.
Traditional Christmas food in São Miguel
If you enjoy tasting local cuisine when you travel, you’ll love Christmas in São Miguel. On Christmas Eve, the most traditional dish is bacalhau da consoada (salted cod), served with cabbage, potatoes, and a good drizzle of olive oil. And if you’re looking for something different, some restaurants serve the famous cozido das Furnas—a stew cooked underground with the heat of the fumaroles—even on December 25th or January 1st.
And of course, there’s no Christmas without sweets. Holiday tables fill with malassadas, filhós, bolo lêvedo, azevias, and the traditional massa sovada. You’ll also find Bolo Rei, the Portuguese version of King’s Cake decorated with candied fruit and nuts.
To finish, nothing like a homemade liqueur. The most typical are anise, orange, or milk liqueurs—perfect to pair with coffee, dessert… or simply to toast in good company.
New Year’s Eve in São Miguel
Christmas in São Miguel ends on a high note with New Year’s Eve in Ponta Delgada. The atmosphere centers around Campo de São Francisco and Avenida Marginal, where both locals and visitors gather to say goodbye to the year by the sea.
For dinner, many people bring their own food and drinks to celebrate outdoors, though you can also dine in one of the restaurants that prepare special New Year’s menus (just don’t forget to book in advance).
The most anticipated moment comes at midnight, when fireworks light up the bay from the harbor. The best part is that they can be seen perfectly from several points in the city, like Avenida Marginal or Campo de São Francisco itself.
After the fireworks, the night continues with live music and free concerts that keep the party going until the early morning. It’s not as massive as in big capitals, but it has a special charm. Everyone greets each other, toasts with strangers, and the feeling is like being at one big community party.
What else to do in São Miguel at Christmas
A classic of São Miguel in winter is the hot springs. There’s nothing like taking a warm dip in the pools of Terra Nostra Park or in Caldeira Velha, surrounded by subtropical vegetation.
And even though it’s winter, in São Miguel at Christmas, nature is still the main attraction. The weather is mild and allows for outdoor activities almost like in summer, but with the peace and quiet of the season. So if you decide to visit São Miguel at Christmas, don’t miss our recommendations for your trip to São Miguel in winter.
And to give you an idea of the Christmas decorations you’ll find in Ponta Delgada, here’s this video from PDL Azores:
Resources to Plan your Trip to São Miguel:
PLAN YOUR TRIP: We love São Miguel, which is why we’ve created our website where you can find the most complete travel guide to São Miguel. Explore everything you can visit and do in São Miguel by region, the best way to plan your itinerary, and make the most of your time.
ACCOMMODATION IN SÃO MIGUEL: We recommend staying in Ponta Delgada or Ribeira Grande if you want to have access to services like supermarkets and restaurants nearby. To choose the best accommodation, don’t miss our article on where to stay in São Miguel or save money with this selection of budget accommodations in São Miguel.
TRANSPORTATION: Renting a car is the best way to explore the island of São Miguel since you’ll have the freedom to reach all the island’s points of interest. In our article on car rental in São Miguel, we cover everything you need to know about driving on the island and how to book the best vehicle. To book, we always use Discovery Cars, our favorite comparison tool with the best deals.
-5% ON YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE: Protect yourself with reliable travel insurance and enjoy our 5% discount for planning your trip on our website.
CLIMATE: São Miguel’s climate is subtropical oceanic, although if we had to describe it in one word, it would be: unpredictable. For us, the best months to visit the island are June or September, although each season has its pros and cons. We tell you everything in this article.
THE BEST ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES IN SÃO MIGUEL!
