{"id":1687,"date":"2020-12-01T13:18:30","date_gmt":"2020-12-01T13:18:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rotadoamanha.com\/?p=1687"},"modified":"2026-02-22T14:23:04","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T14:23:04","slug":"agueda-natal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rotadoamanha.com\/en\/agueda-natal\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00c1gueda at Christmas and the World's Greatest Santa Claus"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the last years, Christmas in \u00c1gueda<\/strong> became one of the most famous in the country, due to the streets decorated with umbrellas and lights and, mainly, due to the giant Santa Claus, the largest in the world, who is assembled every year and makes it impossible for anyone who passes through \u00c1gueda, remain indifferent. So, we had to meet this very famous Santa Claus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Maior<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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In an investment of almost 300 thousand euros, \u00c1gueda decided that in 2020 the lights would be turned on earlier. This measure was taken mainly to support and boost the local business, and to guarantee a large number of visitors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2016 the World's Greatest Santa Claus<\/strong>, with 21 meters high and 250 thousand LED lights was turned on for the first time. Consequently, \u00c1gueda raised A Guiness World Record<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Giant Santa Claus is in Jardim do Largo (Square Garden), and is easily detected from a distance. However, and although this is usually the first stop, visiting \u00c1gueda at Christmas is much more than just Santa Claus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, and as a new feature, \u00c1gueda also has the World's Smallest Santa Claus. This new addition is located at the \u00c1gueda Tourist Office. However, to see it, visitors will have to visit during opening hours.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Update (2024):<\/strong> Four years after seeing \u00c1gueda lit up for Christmas for the first time, we decided to go back and enjoy this light show again. In the years that passed between visits, the entire scenario around Santa Claus changed drastically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2020, you would see Santa Claus, some animals made from light, a carousel and that was it. However, in 2024 this area is completely buzzing with activity. There are several carousels, a small Christmas market (where you can, for example, drink ginja or eat hot chestnuts), food trailers and even street shows. We have some photographs of \u00c1gueda at Christmas in 2024 at the end of the post, as there is always some change in the decoration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regarding parking, we recommend doing as we did: go straight to the Mercado Parking Lot (\"Estacionamento do Mercado\"). It's a huge parking lot, with little confusion in access and exits and, even on the most chaotic days, there are spaces available. From here it's just a few minutes' walk to Santa Claus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The largest Santa Claus in the world, in \u00c1gueda, is 21 meters tall and has 250,000 LED lights<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"guarda<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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