Summary:
Madeira and Azores see the largest increases in Christmas lighting budgets.
Funchal invests €2.19 million in Christmas lights until January 2025.
Ponta Delgada boosts its lighting budget by €118,000.
Braga and Porto each increase their budgets by €50,000.
Lisbon maintains its lighting budget at €749,500, featuring nearly 2 million LED bulbs.
Sparkling Investments in Christmas Lights Across Portugal
This year, Madeira and the Azores are leading the way with the largest increases in Christmas lighting expenditures. In Funchal, the Christmas lights were switched on at the beginning of this month and will shine until January 8, 2025, backed by a €2.19 million investment from the Madeira government. This budget also covers next year's Carnival lights.
In comparison, last year, the investment stood at €1.96 million, but the regional government has launched public tenders worth €3.6 million for the design, installation, and dismantling of Christmas and New Year lights for the upcoming years.
Notable Increases in Other Districts
Ponta Delgada, the largest municipality in the Azores, has increased its investment in Christmas lighting and sound by €118,000, awarding a contract for €303,453 compared to €184,543 in 2023.
On the mainland, of the 18 district capitals, 13 have reported higher spending this year. Braga and Porto each increased their budgets by €50,000, with Porto allocating €700,000 to support local businesses alongside its lighting initiatives.
Aveiro follows closely with an increase of €49,000, while Faro has raised its budget by €47,000. Aveiro's contract totals €599,999.96 over three years, and Faro's total investment is €146,500, up from €107,950 last year.
Viana do Castelo boosted its lighting budget by €25,000, while Beja saw an increase of €21,000. The municipality is also planning various festive activities, investing around €100,000.
Santarém allocated €400,000 for its Christmas program, including €90,000 for lights, emphasizing a shift towards more sustainable LED lighting.
Smaller Increases and Budget Stability
Coimbra, Portalegre, and Viseu each raised their budgets by €14,000. Coimbra's total is €123,000, while Viseu's expenditure for 380,000 lights reached €119,940.
Bragança, Guarda, and Vila Real reported the smallest increases. Bragança invested €126,755, while Guarda and Vila Real spent €114,750 and €40,500 respectively.
Leiria and Castelo Branco are the only districts to cut their lighting budgets, while Évora and Lisbon maintained their spending at €30,000 and €749,500, respectively. Lisbon's lights, featuring nearly 2 million low-energy LED bulbs, were turned on on November 23 and will remain until January 6, aiming for an 80% energy saving compared to traditional bulbs.
Conclusion
The Setúbal municipality has yet to disclose its investment figures, while Lisbon's spending remains consistent with last year. This trend reflects a growing commitment to enhancing festive atmospheres across Portugal while considering sustainability.
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