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Christmas in Cape Verde – Sunshine and hot weathers for the New Year
*Article contains affiliate linksWhat is Christmas like in Cape Verde? Today, instead of snow and freezing temperatures, many people long for sun and warmth in the New years time and prefer to spend Christmas somewhere in the south. Christmas and New Year 2022 in Cape Verde was a different experience for this Finnish girl and it was also the first time I didn’t spend New Years in Europe.
I have always spent Christmas with my family in Finland and in 2021 I spent my first Christmas abroad in Lisbon, Portugal. In 2022, I moved to Cape Verde and met my current husband, with whom I had the pleasure of spending our first Christmas together on the beach of Sal Island, in the turquoise sea water, with a fluffy red Christmas hat on of course.
CHRISTMAS IN CAPE VERDEChristmas and New Year’s celebrations are not only fun, but also a downright obligatory tradition in Cape Verde. Cape Verdeans love to party and at Christmas time the places are filled with bright Christmas lights and colorful Christmas decorations.
Christmas is traditionally celebrated by going to Christmas church, as well as with family and enjoying the local food and drinks. Local delicacies include, for example, Catchupa, Feijoada, various fresh fish dishes, and a splash of strong grog or slightly softer pontche to drink on the side. Gifts are also given to loved ones in Cape Verde, and Christmas is above all a family celebration here. Music is also strongly present in Cape Verdean Christmas, and local morna and funana are played a little bit everywhere.
Tourists get the sea, the sun, a year-round warm climate and a relaxed holiday for their Christmas. In other words, exactly what they hope for when they leave the cold winter and the Christmas hustle and bustle, right?
NEW YEAR’S IN CAPE VERDEMany people consider the New Year to be an even more important holiday than Christmas. At least according to my local husband, haha. People gather to celebrate in the streets and the bars are filled with festive locals and tourists. There is glitter and white dress sparkle, happy mood and the scent of Caipirinhas everywhere. The year changes with the biggest and most colorful fireworks on the sky.
For example on the island of Sal, people celebrate the New Year along the main street in different bars, or jumping from bar to bar and back again. Several hotels also organize their own all-inclusive parties. We personally headed this past New year to the Bikini Beach Club after watching the fireworks to celebrate, which is a popular beach club a few euros away by taxi from the center of Santa Maria.
Celebrating the New Year is traditional and important for Cape Verdeans also because it is the time to celebrate the past year and the fact that we have managed to move forward one year again in all the good and the difficult times.
ARE YOU PLANNING CHRISTMAS OR NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATIONS IN CAPE VERDE? CHECK OUT THE BEST GUIDED TOURS AND ACTIVITIES IN CAPE VERDE HERE!
MERRY CHIRSTMAS!
Have you ever spent Christmas abroad? Where? What has been your favourite destination? Are you interested in Christmas in Cape Verde? Share your thoughts and best tips and experiences in the comments below! 🙂<3: Tiina Johanna
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Christmas in Tampere – Magical Christmas Market and Stable Yard
Tampere at Christmas is always beautiful and cozy, and you can easily feel the magic of Christmas at, for example, the Christmas Market and the Stable Yard. Christmas is definitely my favorite holiday and I love making Christmas preparations. Our traditional Christmas preparations include light Christmas cleaning, gift preparation and packaging, Christmas decorations to the rhythm of Christmas carols and, of course, corny Christmas movies with original finnish hot mulled wine.
I like to make Christmas presents for my loved ones in the form of crafts or baked goods, because I don’t like to waste money unnecessarily just because “something should be given”. Sometimes I might also make wonderful discoveries at the Christmas market if, for example, an interesting small entrepreneur’s craft stall pops up in front of me.
This year 2020 I have enjoyed the Christmas preparations even more, probably due to the special circumstances of this year. Christmas preparations have given energy, joy and good vibes, and amidst all the uncertainty, it is at least certain that Christmas will come.
CHRISTMAS MARKET FULL OF CHRISTMAS VIBES, ARTS AND CRAFTS, HOT MULLED WINE AND DELICIOUS FOODTampere has proven to be a good city to live in again this year, because Christmas traditions have not been compromised even in the corona era. The traditional Tampere Christmas Market can be found at the Central Square this year as well, while Christmas markets in many other cities around the world have been canceled, unfortunately.
Tampere Christmas Market is beautiful and versatile, and there are always delicious foods and wonderful handicrafts for sale. Of course, Santa Claus himself is also present at the Christmas market. In addition to the mulled wine tent and stalls, the market also offers the popular Munkkikahvila donuts, which are the best in the world! I warmly recommend you to visit, after all, in Tampere we also have this year’s most beautiful Christmas tree.
CHARMING CHRISTMAS OF THE HISTORIC STABLE YEARDSIn addition to the Christmas Market, in Tampere you can also enjoy the Christmas vibes at the Stable Yard Christmas Market. At the Stable Yards you can make discoveries from handicraft sellers, as well as explore the offerings of Stable Yard’s own boutiques. A horse-drawn carriage ride is available every year, and Santa Claus, as the clever fellow he is, has also made it here. The smallest ones of the family (why not the bigger ones too) will surely also like to admire Vilho the donkey and Lassi the little pony.
Stable Yard’s traditional and popular Chocolate Shop is a real attraction because of its amazing selection of artesan chocolates, and even on this gray Saturday, the queue was long. We didn’t want to wait in line, as Tampere residents we will get the chance to visit this place whenever we want on another time. All the shops are open all year round and every day during Christmas.
More information and schedules on the Stable Yard website.
OTHER CHRISTMAS MARKETS AND SALES AROUND TAMPEREIn addition to the Christmas Market on the Central Square and the Stable Yard, Tampere has various smaller Christmas sales and market days, such as the Ahlman Christmas Market, as well as many others.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!<3: Tiina Johanna
Remember to follow me on Social media!
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Blogit.fi:Kookospalmun alla*Photos: Tiina Johanna, blogger
*Photo editing: Loov.fi “Tropical blues” presets – check it out!