Less than 30 kilometres from Lisbon, Sintra is preparing for a spectacular Christmas season. From November 27, 2026, to January 3, 2027, the town will host Sintra Mágica, a Christmas event with free admission, festive markets, illuminations, an ice rink and live entertainment. One of its main attractions will be a Ferris wheel described by organisers as the largest in Portugal.
For more than five weeks, Christmas celebrations will spread across several of Sintra’s most recognisable locations, from its historic palace to its gardens and public spaces. Rather than concentrating everything in one Christmas market, the event will invite visitors to explore different parts of the town.
Although admission to Sintra Mágica is free, organisers have not yet specified whether individual attractions, including the Ferris wheel and ice rink, will carry additional charges.
Portugal’s largest Ferris wheel is coming to Sintra’s National Palace
One of the main highlights of Sintra Mágica 2026 will be the Volta das Rainhas, a Ferris wheel scheduled to be installed in the Terreiro Real, next to the National Palace of Sintra.
According to the organisers, it will be the largest Ferris wheel in Portugal, although its exact height has not been disclosed in the programme announcement.
The attraction will occupy a particularly distinctive setting, surrounded by the historic buildings of central Sintra and the hills that rise above the town.
Visitors will also find food stalls, entertainment and a stage dedicated to Christmas performances around the palace area. This part of Sintra is expected to become one of the main gathering points throughout the festivities.
Christmas markets, ice skating and Santa’s house
Sintra Mágica will extend well beyond the historic centre, with different Christmas experiences spread across several locations.
At Volta do Duche, visitors will be able to enjoy festive illuminations and a traditional Christmas market. Nearby, Parque da Liberdade will host a collection of themed attractions, including a toy workshop, a magical biscuit factory, a post office for letters to Santa Claus and an ice rink.
The Paço dos Ribafria will become home to Santa’s house, while Jardim da Correnteza will feature an area dedicated to the Guardians of Christmas, with activities particularly aimed at younger visitors.
The celebrations will also reach Montelavar, where a Christmas village will offer lights, market stalls and family entertainment.
Another feature will be the Expresso Sintra Mágica, a decorated Christmas truck scheduled to travel through several towns and communities across the municipality. Its precise itinerary and dates have yet to be announced.
With attractions distributed across different locations, families may want to plan their visit around the activities they are most interested in rather than expecting everything to be within one small area.
A Christmas story inspired by Sintra’s legends
The 2026 edition will follow an original Christmas story created by Portuguese writers Isabel Stilwell and Sara Rodi, under the theme Quando a Magia do Natal Entra no Palácio — “When Christmas Magic Enters the Palace”.
Set in 1849, the story follows a young prince who has lost his belief in Christmas magic. His sister sets out to find help from Abeto, a mysterious creature living in the forests of the Sintra Mountains, an area also known as Monte da Lua, or the Mountain of the Moon.
The narrative will connect the different attractions and experiences across the town, drawing on Sintra’s historic palaces, wooded landscapes and longstanding association with legends.
For visitors, this means that Sintra Mágica is designed as more than a collection of seasonal stalls and decorations. The story will provide a common theme linking the Christmas installations across several venues.
Sintra Mágica 2026–2027: dates, admission and visitor information
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Sintra Mágica 2026–2027 |
| Dates | November 27, 2026 – January 3, 2027 |
| Location | Sintra and several communities within the municipality |
| General admission | Free |
| Main attraction | Volta das Rainhas, advertised as Portugal’s largest Ferris wheel |
| Other activities | Christmas markets, lights, ice skating, performances and Santa’s house |
| Individual attraction prices | Not yet specified |
| Detailed opening hours | To be confirmed |
For travellers staying in Lisbon, Sintra offers the possibility of a Christmas day trip without travelling far from the capital.
However, visitors should remember that the attractions will be spread across several sites. The Ferris wheel will be located near the National Palace, while other activities will take place in gardens, historic buildings and locations elsewhere in the municipality.
Before visiting, check the final programme, opening hours and any charges for individual attractions. The event’s free admission should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every ride or activity will be free.
Sintra Mágica is scheduled to run until January 3, 2027, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the festivities during both the Christmas holidays and the New Year period.
