Christmas lights and New Year celebrations will be on a reduced scale this year but there is still enough festive cheer to go round! There may be less sparkle on the streets but the local councils are concentrating their efforts on helping people in need. Here is a round up of news so far.
Vila Real de Santo António has turned the central square, Marquês de Pombal, into a Christmas village with a Christmas tree, lights, carousels, games, music, snowtubing ramp, inflateables and a Christmas market and also has it's traditional giant nativity scene in the António Aleixo Cultural Centre.
New Year's Eve celebrations in Praça Marquês de Pombal with "Grab It Band" & Cê Barros
Monte Gordo New Year Celebrations are on 2 nights! 30th December with Paulo Gonzo and 31st December with Baby Lores
Tavira has it's Christmas lights on and will be keeping shoppers entertained with" Santa Claus, Mrs Claus and an Elf on a monocycle" as well as a traditional Nativity Scene at the Tavira Bombeiros (fire station) and a live Nativity Scene downtown at Casa André Pilarte. Tavira New Year's Eve celebrations take place in Praça da República with "The Lucky Duckies" at 11pm, a firework display at midnight followed by Dj Viriato Muata keeping the music going until the early hours.
Quarteira waterfront is the place to be for New Year's Eve with musical entertainment from the Fora d'Horas Quartet from 10pm followed by the traditional fireworks display at midnight
Faro New Year celebrations start on 30th December at Manuel Bivar Garden with a concert by the band "Nome" at 10pm followed by DJ Mike Fuentez at 11.30pm.
New Year's Eve in Faro starts with "The Dixie Boys" at 10.30pm and fireworks at midnight followed by "The Stone Covers Band" and DJ Joss A / DJ Swic again the venue is Manuel Bivar Garden (near the marina).
Don't miss Santas on motorbikes parade by the Faro Motoclube on December 17th - it arrives in downtown Faro around 4.30pm!
Albufeira (contrary to previous news from the local council!) has just announced it will be having a New Year's Eve party at Fishermen's beach starring Aurea. See our latest news blog
Portimão will be having a fireworks display to mark the New Year but shorter than previous years.
Lagos has a programme of street entertainment during December from local music and dance groups and Father Christmas will be in residence in the centre!
New Year's Eve in Lagos will be celebrated with fireworks at midnight on the waterfront.
There is lots going on across the Algarve during December - Christmas concerts, ballets, dance shows and Christmas markets are just some of them and you can find more information on the events pages on our resort guides.