THE
PARTY &MORE
NYE in The City of Lights
You've got questions?
We've got answers.
Check out the FAQs to help plan your Portuguese adventure.
THE INS & OUTS Of THE FUN
NYE FAQS
Q: When should we arrive in Lisbon?
A: Most people plan on arriving sometime around December 27-28th and staying until about January 2nd.
Q: Where should we stay?
A: The NYE party is actually located in Sintra, a short 25 minute taxi ride away from Lisbon. We'll be spending the first few days together in Lisbon and then heading to Sintra on the 31st for the party. So it's best to book a hotel in Lisbon from your arrival until the 31st and then book something in Sintra for the night of the 31st. We'll be staying in Sintra the night of the 1st as well and highly recommend doing the same if possible. Sintra is gorgeous and worth exploring and many of the palaces on the hillside are open for tours beginning on January 2nd.
Q: What time is the party?
A: The Portuguese don't do things by halves and that includes partying. We'll be kicking off the festivities at 8pm and going until the wee hours. So take a nap and be ready to party until the sun comes up.
Q: What should we wear?
A: Something festive! Dress to the nines or just somewhere around the sevens or eights. Cocktail attire is a safe bet but whatever festive means to you is fine by us. Be sure to bring a wrap or jacket as we'll be ringing in the New Year on the palace lawn. And feel free to bring a change of clothes if you feel like pajamas will help you party all night long.
Q: What's the weather like in Lisbon?
A: On an average year you can expect highs of around 50-60°F and lows in the 30s. Bring an umbrella and comfy shoes with rubber soles because the gorgeous mosaic tiled sidewalks aren't so gorgeous on your feet.
Q: Are there any New Year's Eve traditions in Portugal?
A: Yes! It's traditional to wear new clothes on NYE, in particular, new underwear. Wearing blue underwear is thought to bring the most luck while other colors each have their own symbolism (Red for passion, pink for love, yellow for wealth and green for health). So choose your undies carefully and be ready to invite some great things into your 2024.
It's also traditional to ring in the new year by eating 12 raisins, one with each stroke of the clock. It's said that this will bring you luck, health and prosperity in the coming year.
Q: Are there other events happening while we're in Lisbon?
A: We're planning a few other gatherings to bring people together while we're in Lisbon/Sintra. All of them are casual and optional so feel free to join us or explore on your own. We'll be meeting for a few drinks at a neighborhood spot on the evening of the 29th, an afternoon wander around the city (with a competitive edge) on the 30th and, of course, the main event in Sintra on the 31st. Feel free to come along for any or all of the pre-party festivities. Be sure to RSVP for each individual event on the RSVP page.