If you’re going to be in Lisbon on 31 December, there are plenty of ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve – from intimate dinners to hotel parties to bar hopping to free fireworks display.
Whether you’re travelling with children or friends or even by yourself, check out these ideas for New Year’s Eve celebration in Lisbon.
Don’t forget the twelve raisins at midnight to ring in the new year, one for each month – in Portugal, you eat them at midnight and make a wish with each one. Accompany with a glass of espumante (sparkling wine) or champagne.
1. Celebrate with a Fireworks Display
Start the new year in Terreiro do Paço (aka Praça do Comércio) with thousands gathered to watch the amazing fireworks over the square. There will be entertainment from 10pm. Check out our guide on New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Lisbon.
2. Enjoy a New Year’s Eve Special Dinner
There are several restaurants that serve up special New Year’s Eve menus for an intimate dinner. Some may also offer entertainment. Find the right spot for a midnight toast. Or, book early seatings if you want to toast in the new year elsewhere.
3. Listen to Fado on New Year’s Eve
Make this an all Portuguese-style evening: listen to fado, enjoy bacalhau, dried salted codfish, and celebrate with twelve raisins when the clock strikes midnight. Take a look at our roundup of where to listen to fado in Alfama and Bairro Alto on New Year’s Eve. Most venues require advanced reservation.
4. Take a River Tejo Cruise
Hop on a boat and watch the fireworks from a prime location on the River Tejo. Besides offering views of the brightly lit city, a New Year’s Eve cruise includes a welcome cocktail, dinner, open bar, and entertainment.
5. Party at a New Year’s Eve Gala
Several hotels in Lisbon host New Year’s Eve dinner parties, with meals and drinks, many with open bar, and all with entertainment. These dinner parties are advertised in early December and require reservation, so plan ahead.
6. Pub Crawl
A more casual option to celebrate New Year’s Eve is pub hopping in Bairro Alto. Many bars will have their New Year’s Eve drink menu and you can choose the best place to toast when the clock strikes midnight.
7. Go Dancing at a Club
Below is a rundown of well-known clubs on and around pink street (aka Rua Nova do Carvalho) in Cais do Sodré that you may want to check out on New Year’s Eve.
- Europa, Rua Nova do Carvalho 16-20: rock, hip hop, 1980s, and more.
- Jamaica, Rua Nova do Carvalho 6-8 : reggae, what else!
- Musicbox, Rua Nova do Carvalho 24: live music and DJ performances, several styles.
- Roterdão, Rua Nova do Carvalho 28-30: indies and 1980s.
- Sabotage, Rua de São Paulo 16: rock club.
8. Gamble at Casino Lisboa
On the last night of the year, enjoy playing slots, roulette, blackjack, Caribbean stud poker, French bank, or baccarat at Casino Lisboa. Naturally, there will also be live entertainment – a concert at Arena Live stage and DJ performances. Admission is free.
Casino Lisboa is located in the riverside Parque das Nações where several restaurants are open for business, offering special New Year’s Eve menus.
