As Autumn comes to an end and Winter moves closer, Porto remains one of the best cities to visit. Without crowds of tourists and high-season prices, many are realizing that this is an optimal season to visit this city in the North of Portugal.
While it does rain quite a bit, mostly in January, temperatures during the day remain moderate, ranging from 50-60F/10-18ºC. A great way to shelter from these rainy days is to find an entertaining show or musical to enjoy.
And what feels more like Christmas and this festivity season than taking the whole family to a show? Let’s take a look at the 5 best shows and musicals in Portugal for this next Winter 2022/23.
1. Wizard of Oz on Ice in Matosinhos
From November 26 to January 8, Wizard of Oz on Ice takes center stage in MAR Shopping in Matosinhos. This is a show for the whole family, filled with Christmas magic.
The show tells the story of a young girl in Oz that takes an adventure to meet the Wizard. This musical on ice about friendship allows you to discover the importance of self-love while bringing to light an issue in society: mental health.
The Portuguese singers Miguel Cristovinho and Rita Redshoes make their debut on ice as the Wizard of Oz and Glinda, the good witch of the North! Tickets are relatively affordable, starting at 13 euros to 59 euros for a VIP experience.
2. (LA)HORDE Ballet at Rivoli
The collective (LA)HORDE brings the artists Marine Brutti, Jonathan Debrouwer, and Arthur Harel from Marseille for a national premiere in the iconic Rivoli Grand Auditorium. Through different films, performances, and choreographic pieces, this collective “interrogates the political component of dance and maps diverse choreographic forms of popular uprising, from raves to traditional dances, to jumpstyle.”
This collective was created in 2013 by these three artists, and (LA)Horde has been the head of the Ballet National de Marseille since September 2019, creating performances, films, and works that focus on the body in movement.
Tickets cost 12 euros, and the age rating is 12+. The dates of the show are December 2 and December 3 at 7:30 PM.
3. Como um Carrossel [Like a Carrousel]
What’s better than a free show? Located in a small auditorium in Rivoli to celebrate the 91st Anniversary of Teatro Rivoli Performances for School, Like a Carrousel tells the story of a little girl who learns her relation to the world by asking questions along her journey. It is set to represent the imagination of children while touching upon key emotions in life, such as happiness, fear, and hope.
This show is a version of a piece written and directed by Joao Paulo Seara Cardoso (1956 – 2010). However, it has been adapted to feature Portuguese Sign Language for inclusivity. There are dates between January 18 and 22.
4. Intimate Live Fado Show in Fado na Baixa
Hosted in the wonderful Fado na Baixa auditorium, head to this unique live fado show that offers an intimate environment. The performance happens in a small auditorium, fusing popular versions of fado with the original style from the 1820s. This ticket includes a Tawny Port wine tasting while you witness the talented performers.
This show is available all year long but arguably feels more special in the winter, when the Christmas spirit is in the air, and a Port wine glass can warm you up.
Fado is a style of Portuguese music that was sung in taverns beginning in the 19th century and is now a UNESCO-listed musical genre. It is known for its mournful and melancholic tunes and lyrics, often about Portuguese life, poverty, the sea, and love.
5. Tiago Bettencourt & Orquestra Classica do Centro in Casa da Musica
Tiago Bettencourt is going to be playing in Porto’s Casa da Musica on December 18, accompanied by the Orquestra Classica do Centro. On the year that Tiago celebrates his 20 years of career, he will be playing this show in a 360 format, along with a show on the 22 of December in Lisbon.
Tiago has said that these concerts will allow us “to look back, with the help of my band and the Orchestra Classica do Centro, that by faith is from my home town of Coimbra. We will celebrate the most iconic songs of my journey and remember others that might have been forgotten.”
Tickets cost 28 euros and the doors open at 8 PM. Casa da Musica, where the concert will takes place is an iconic concert hall in the center of Porto, designed by architect Rem Koolhaas.
