There’s plenty of bad news in the world this holiday season. For example, the global pandemic. War in the Middle East. Economies on the verge of collapse. That Cardi B song. Microsoft Teams… To make matters worse, the Portuguese government has basically canceled New Year’s. In short, things are not looking good.
But there’s still plenty to be grateful for. For one – you’re still alive. Also, Christmas is not on Portugal’s naughty list just yet, so there’s still a lot happening around Lisbon to keep you in good spirits. Check out our full calendar of events here if you plan on sticking around until 2021. And here’s some art, music, and shopping to keep you feeling jolly and sane for the next week or so (and early into 2021 too), coronavirus-cancelations pending.*
CHRISTMAS MARKETS:
Self-described “space with multi-disciplinary artistic activity” BOTA is hosting its week-long Christmas market until Dec.23. There, you can do some last-minute gift-shopping and/or drop off some food for those most in need in these troubling times.
The locally infamous culture hub that is Anjos70 is hosting its holiday-themed market this Saturday and Sunday morning too.
And the month-long self-explanatory Natal em Lisboa festival – aka markets, art exhibits, workshops, treasure hunts, concerts, plays, foods, drinks, Santas, lights, trees, and more – is still kicking all around town, through the end of December.
ART:
In pure Portuguese fashion (pandemic or not) the deadline to see the highly-publicized multimedia Meet Vincent Van Gogh Exhibit in Belém has once again been extended. It now runs until Feb.7, 2021, until further notice.
If you’re looking for lesser-known art, the work in What a bang by João Fazenda – a Lisbon-born, bred, and based multi-dimensional illustrator, fine artist, graphic designer, and teacher – is described by its hosts as “hybrid objects that are both three-dimensional and two-dimensional.” It’s on view until Dec. 22, for free.
And Portuguese illustrator with clout Gonçalo Pena presents his new solo show, Metafísica, at ZDB, until Jan. 8 of next year, for three bucks.
CONCERT:
Local heavy-hitters Carapaus AfroBeat come to Farbica Braço de Prata’s Esplanada to spread some merry and cheer this coming Monday – which, according to the organizers (and basically all of Lisbon) is now “the new Sunday.” It’s 10€ (five of which goes to the artists, of which there are many, and five of which goes to the bar, in exchange for refreshments).
INDIE FILM SUBMISSIONS:
Finally, if you made a movie recently and want to submit it to the 18th edition of Lisbon’s biggest film festival – IndieLisboa 2021, which may or may not be happening Apr.29 – May 9 of next year – then you have until Wed, Dec. 23, to do so.
*As per custom, check with the organizers before venturing out, and have a very merry and not too scary Christmas, friends!
Momentous Eventus: Christmas Cheer and Curfew Fear Edition
