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New Year's Eve in Lisbon: the free party, fireworks and getting home

Facts checked by Roshid on 9 October 2026

Lisbon's biggest New Year's Eve party is free, in Praça do Comércio (also called Terreiro do Paço) by the river, with concerts and fireworks over the Tagus at midnight. The programme for 2026–27 has not been announced yet (as of 9 October 2026). Last year the line-up came out in early December and the transport and security plan two days before the night, so this page sets out how the 2025–26 edition worked. For the rest of the month, see Lisbon in December.

New Year's Eve at Praça do Comércio, 2025–26 edition
Topic2025–26
EntryFree
Square opens19:30 (closed from 18:00 for security checks)
Concerts21:30 DJ Mojo with MC Márcio Jesus, 22:30 Plutónio
MidnightDrone show from 23:55, then 10 minutes of fireworks from the river
After midnight"I Love Reggaeton" party from 00:15 until 01:00
2026–27 programmeNot announced yet (as of 9 October 2026)

The party at Praça do Comércio

The party is run by EGEAC, the city of Lisbon's culture company. In 2025–26 it opened with a DJ set at 21:30, then a concert by the rapper Plutónio at 22:30. A drone show started at 23:55 and led into the midnight fireworks, launched from the river. A reggaeton party followed until 01:00, when the celebrations ended.

EGEAC recommended the party for ages six and up. People with reduced mobility had their own entrance, from Avenida Infante Dom Henrique and Rua dos Arameiros, by Campo das Cebolas.

Getting in: security and crowds

  • Traffic was cut from 16:00 in the Baixa and around Rossio, Cais do Sodré and Campo das Cebolas.
  • At 18:00 the square closed to everyone for a security sweep, and it reopened at 19:30.
  • Bags were searched at the six entrances. Sharp or dangerous objects were not allowed in, and neither were bottles of champagne.
  • The city and the police asked people to come by public transport and to arrive early, ideally by 21:00.
  • Shared e-scooters and bikes were switched off from 13:00 on 31 December until 06:00 on 1 January.

Other places to watch the fireworks

The fireworks over the Tagus can be seen from many points along the river and from the hills. Places recommended in past years include:

  • Miradouro da Graça and Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, the highest viewpoint in Lisbon, with views over the river.
  • Doca da Marinha, on the river next to the square, with a similar view and smaller crowds.
  • Cacilhas, on the south bank in Almada, which has its own free party. In 2025–26 it was in Largo Alfredo Dinis: a concert by Bárbara Bandeira from 22:00, fireworks with music at midnight and the band Insert Coin at 00:30. Ferries run from Cais do Sodré.

Cascais

Cascais, west of Lisbon at the end of the coast train line, holds its own celebration. In 2025–26 there was a drone show over the bay of Cascais at midnight, with fireworks at the same time from six beaches and forts along the coast, including Tamariz and Carcavelos. Free concerts in the gardens of the Casino Estoril had AGIR at 21:30 and Matias Damásio as the new year arrived. Trains and the local MobiCascais buses ran until 02:00.

Getting home

These were the arrangements for 2025–26. Check them again in the last days of December.

  • Metro: Terreiro do Paço station closed from 17:00. The Metro closed at its usual time, 01:00, with extra trains on the Blue line.
  • Carris buses: the night buses ran all night, with extra buses from Cais do Sodré, Rossio and Santa Apolónia. Night lines 201, 202, 203, 206, 207, 208 and 210, which serve Cais do Sodré or Restelo, were affected by the road closures in the Baixa.
  • CP trains: extra night trains from Rossio to Sintra at 01:20, 01:40, 02:00, 02:20, 02:40, 03:00, 04:00 and 05:00; from Cais do Sodré to Cascais at 02:00, 03:00 and 04:00; and one from Cascais to Cais do Sodré at 02:00.
  • Ferries: the Saturday timetable, plus extras. Cacilhas–Cais do Sodré had six extra crossings towards Lisbon and five towards Cacilhas. The last Barreiro boats were at 01:30 from Barreiro and 02:00 from Lisbon. Seixal and Montijo had a few extra boats.
  • Taxis and ride-hailing apps: expect long waits after midnight. Walk out of the closed-off Baixa first.

Dinner

Book a table well ahead for 31 December, and check whether the restaurant serves only a set menu that night. If you want to be at the square for midnight, book an early dinner nearby, or eat after the party.

New Year's Day

1 January is a public holiday in Portugal; in 2027 it falls on a Friday. Many shops close, and so do some of the big sights: the Jerónimos Monastery in Belém, for example, is closed on 1 January. Check opening hours before you plan the day.

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