We’ve put together a guide to the main Christmas attractions in São Paulo. After all, the most special night of the year is just around the corner, and we’re super excited about the festive season.
Soon the shelves will be full of panettone, the city will be lit up and there will be a Santa Claus for every region of the city. So, find out where to find the coolest decorations and activities, and enjoy the best Christmas tours in São Paulo.
Candlelight Christmas Concerts
What better way to celebrate Christmas than with a beautiful candlelight show? To celebrate this season, São Paulo will host two special Christmas Candlelight Concerts.
Firstly, the Candlelight Christmas Special: Forget Me Not, Simply Love and more, with cheerful Christmas songs to brighten up your holidays even more. Then Candlelight Christmas Special: The Nutcracker and more, with seasonal classics under the soft light of a sea of candles.
🗓️ December 19th
📍Teatro Villa Lobos: Av. Dra. Ruth Cardoso, 4777 – Jardim Universidade Pinheiros, São Paulo
🎟️ Fever
Nativity scene exhibitions
The exhibition brings together Portuguese clay nativity scenes, highlighting Lusitanian heritage, and Brazilian creations that reflect indigenous, African and European influences. It also celebrates traditions from the Paraíba Valley with handicrafts and instruments from the folias de reis.
🗓️ Until 12/01
📍São Paulo Museum of Sacred Art
🎟️ From R$ 3 (free on Saturdays)
São Paulo Christmas Festival
This themed festival offers free outdoor movies for participants. With artificial snow, Christmas decorations and more than 20 films, the program promises to show classics such as ‘The Grinch’ and ‘The Polar Express’. The screenings are daily with two films a night, from 7pm to 10pm.
🗓️ Until 30/12
📍Praça do Patriarca – Historic Center of São Paulo
🎟️ Free (with free popcorn)
Illuminated Christmas
With special and enchanting lighting, installations such as the laser tunnel in Largo São Bento and the “Garoa de Natal” in Rua Direita. The highlights of Natal Iluminado include exhibitions, cultural parades, daily shows and interactive decorations.
🗓️ Until 26/12
📍Historic Center of São Paulo
🎟️ Free
Special Christmas session at the planetarium – “The Star of Bethlehem”
Explore the scientific origins of the mystical Star of Bethlehem in an immersive session with astrophysicist Marcelo Rubinho. In this experience, you’ll be able to combine learning withthe Christmas spirit and take advantage of the visit to see the iconic Ibirapuera Park Christmas tree.
🗓️ 21/12, 5pm, and 22/12, 3pm
📍Ibirapuera Planetarium
🎟️ From R$ 15
Radical Christmas
With more than 10 free attractions, including ice skating, bungee jumping, a mega zip line, a climbing wall and a NASA simulator with snow, this event for children aged 6 and over includes a playful arena with Santa Claus and workshops.
🗓️ Until 22/12, from 2pm to 10pm
📍Modelódromo do Ibirapuera
🎟️ Free
Magical Christmas
In this musical mega-production, the story takes place when Santa Claus fulfills the wishes of two Brazilian children. Audiences can expect the participation of the little ones’ favorite princesses and superheroes , 4D special effects and 3D projections.
🗓️ 07 a 22/12
📍Claro Theater São Paulo
🎟️ From R$ 37.50
Family in the Park
In December, Villa-Lobos’ most popular family event gets a Christmas touch. Among the attractions, visitors will find giant inflatables, a zip line, bungee trampoline and soap soccer. Família no Parque takes place every Friday from 2pm to 10pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 10pm.
🗓️ Until 22/12
📍Villa-Lobos Park
🎟️ Free. Paid toys from R$10
Christmas projections at Edifício Santos Augusta
Check out the projections prepared especially for Christmas. They will be shown on the façade of the Santos Augusta Building and will feature snowflakes, auroras borealis, lead soldiers, ballerinas, snowmen and the figure of Santa Claus in his sleigh.
🗓️ Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until 22/12. Sessions at 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
📍Corner of Alameda Santos and Rua Augusta
🎟️ Free
Christmas in the Horto Florestal
The northern part of São Paulo is also getting into the Christmas mood with a special program at the Horto Florestal. Workshops, games, easy painting and even a Christmas choir are part of the program.
🗓️ Until January 31, 2025
📍Horto Florestal
🎟️ From R$ 20
SP Chamber Orchestra
Young musicians will enchant listeners with music by Fauré, Mahler and Saint-Saëns. This is the end of the SPCO’s 2024 season, with a special Christmas touch. If you like classical music, you can’t miss it.
🗓️ December 22, 11am
📍B32 Theater
🎟️ From R$ 30
Happy Holidays Concert by the São Paulo State Philharmonic Orchestra
Your Christmas in São Paulo can be even more special with OFESP! Listen to classics by Tchaikovsky, Rossini, Bizet and other artists in this unforgettable performance by the Philharmonic Orchestra. The session will feature mezzo-soprano Bellani Theóphilo and tenor Eli Lobato. presentation.
🗓️ December 22, at 5:30 p.m.
📍J. Safra Theater
🎟️ From R$15
Santa’s House
With five themed spaces, this house offers an immersive experience made from recycled materials. The theme ‘Trailblazing Sustainability‘ guides visitors on a journey of knowledge through Santa’s house. There, children can even find sleighs and reindeer.
🗓️ 21 and 22/12, from 10am to 4pm
📍Syrian Home for Children
🎟️ Free
Christmas program at Casas André Luiz
During the month of December, Casas André Luiz will be promoting a series of Christmas-themed activities. These include lunch, gift-giving and a Christmas motorcade. In all, more than 250 volunteers are taking part in the projects.
🗓️ Between 05 and 20/12
📍André Luiz Houses
🎟️ Free
Christmas Concerts
See several symphony orchestras perform Christmas classics during the closing of the 2024 season. The presentations feature performances by renowned soloists and artistic bodies.
🗓️ Days 20 and 22/12
📍Theatro Municipal de São Paulo
🎟️ Tickets from R$12. Free on 18/12
The Nutcracker – Paula Castro Dance Company
A Christmas classic, ‘The Nutcracker’ is a cultural program that can’t be missed at the end of the year. This time, the Paula Castro Dance Company presents the repertory ballet of the story of Clara, who discovers a magical universe on Christmas Eve.
🗓️ 20 to 22/12, at 8pm
📍Villa Lobos Theater
🎟️Ingressos from R$ 45
Magical Christmas – Circo Spacial
Faith, kindness and generosity will be celebrated in this show that closes Circo Spacial‘s 2024 season. The event will feature incredible performances by clowns, acrobats, jugglers and contortionists. It’s an event for all the family.
🗓️ 23/11, at 4pm, 6pm and 8pm, and 24/11, at 11am, 4pm and 6pm
📍 Avenida Atlântica, 2800 – Represa Guarapiranga
🎟️ Tickets from R$ 25
Santa’s Village
The two attractions in the Bixiga neighborhood are transformed into a beautiful Christmas village. With interactive decorations and a magical setting, the place even has snow, which falls every 30 minutes, making everything even more special. This is an unforgettable way to celebrate Christmas in São Paulo.
🗓️ Until 22/12
📍 Buchette del Vino and Casa Grilo
🎟️ Free
Christmas dessert festival
Sweet lovers can’t miss this Christmas-themed gastronomic experience. With classic seasonal recipes and even the most gourmet, the festival presents unique Christmas flavors and is a great option for a family outing.
🗓️24/11, from 12pm to 8pm
📍Club Homs: Avenida Paulista, 735 – Jardins
🎟️Gratuito
Christmas on the CPTM rails
From November 1st, at 10 a.m., tickets for the popular CPTM Tourist Express will be available for sale. The destination is the charming town of Paranapiacaba, in the Serra do Mar, an excellent option for enjoying the run-up to Christmas.
Enchanted Christmas at Chalezinho
With themed Christmas tree decorations, artificial snow and much more, Chalezinho is an excellent Christmas out ing in São Paulo for those who appreciate refinement and good food. For the fifth year running, the house is bringing the magic of the season together with its delicious traditional fondue menu with meat fondues, cheeses and sweets at will. In addition, visitors can enjoy musical performances and even a visit from Santa Claus from Wednesday to Sunday, starting at 18:30.
🗓️ Until 23/12
📍Rua Itapimirum, 11 – Burle Marx Park
🎟️Ingressos from R$119
Christmas markets
If you like to give unique and creative gifts, our tip for this Christmas is to keep an eye on the Christmas markets. There you’ll find handicrafts, gourmet delicacies and incredible fashion items to give to those you love.
Sé Cathedral
How about enjoying a delicious Christmas menu after an exclusive tour of São Paulo’s most iconic cathedral? Christmas dinner takes place on December 24 and offers more than 20 different dishes.
Lunch takes place on the 25th and promises to be unforgettable! Guests will be able to enjoy a unique experience at this tourist and religious attraction in São Paulo.
Free performances at Trovadores Urbanos
On Fridays until Christmas, from November 1 to December 20, the traditional group Trovadores Urbanos presents ‘Trovadores Noéis’, super special serenades on New Year’s themes.
In an atmosphere of great festivity and joy, the quartet of good old men give free performances of Christmas classics from Brazil and around the world. Such as “Boas Festas”, by Assis Valente, “Então é Natal”, by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, as well as “Noite Feliz”, by Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber.
Each evening, the Trovadores Noéis give three performances: at 7:30pm, 8:15pm and 9pm. Public admission from 7pm.
📍Casa dos Trovadores Urbanos: Rua Aimberê, 651 – Perdizes
Shopping mall decorations
It’s already a tradition: every year, the malls in São Paulo put up beautiful decorations to celebrate the end of the year. In 2024, we can expect even more fun themes than last year’s! From Christmas in London to LEGO® decor ations, get ready to admire some beautiful decorations this year. Just check out the list in this article and enjoy!
