There are thousands of little lights flashing in synchrony, forming colourful designs alluding to Christmas, spread over about 30 streets, avenues, roundabouts and squares in the city of Famalicão. A Christmas tree is returning to the city centre - now in Praça 9 de Abril - after a year's interruption due to the Covid 19 pandemic. Music brightens the atmosphere and warms the hearts of passers-by. Christmas has already arrived in Famalicão this Monday and will animate the city until the beginning of January.
It was up to Mário Passos, Mayor of the City Council to mark the start of the Christmas program. For the mayor "Christmas is, above all, the celebration of family, community, conviviality and sharing". The beautification of the city fulfills "a very important function at this time of year, which is to awaken in the community feelings of hope, magic, joy and solidarity", he said, adding that "even with many precautions and great responsibility for public health, we are once again thinking of Christmas as a time of celebration, bringing joy to the city and supporting commerce".
"After such a difficult year, we want to take Christmas to all famalicenses, anchoring it to a message of hope, joy and confidence in a brighter future", also stressed Mário Passos, betting on "making Famalicão the place of Christmas", at a time when the city centre presents itself renewed with urban requalification works not yet concluded.
Fernando Xavier Ferreira, president of the Famalicão Commercial and Industrial Association (ACIF), also emphasized the importance of the Christmas atmosphere for "the local economy and for commerce in particular".
From the entertainment program, Mário Passos highlighted the Circo de Papel (Paper Circus) show, promoted by INAC - National Institute for Circus Arts, which is also returning to Juventude Park between December 3 and January 6, to the delight of kids and adults, with Aquarela.
The Christmas Market, with handicrafts and traditional products, is also back to animate the city, taking place this time in the interior spaces and the area surrounding the Praça - Municipal Market, between 26 November and 9 January.
Christmas music will make itself heard with the "Communities in Choir" Christmas Concerts, with a dozen shows, between December 1 and January 9. The initiative, which took off in 2019, has culminated in a real success, being held this year in the Square - Municipal Market.
Santa's Solidarity Cabin, with the collection of goods for subsequent distribution to needy families, is already one of the most emblematic moments of the Christmas season in Famalicão. Between 12 and 24 December, the Solidarity Cabin will be open at Praça 9 de Abril, welcoming solidarity, but also lots of entertainment and magic.
Throughout the city, among the streets, squares, avenues, squares and gardens, the dynamics and pulse of the Christmas season will be felt, with the involvement of traders, inhabitants and passers-by. For the younger ones, there will be plenty of reasons to play, starting with the merry-go-round and the Christmas train.