Obidos - 200 thousand visited the Christmas Village

Over 200 thousand visitors passed through Óbidos, for the second edition of the Óbidos Vila Natal (Christmas Village), exceeding all expectations.

From the 8th of December of 2007 until the 6th of January of 2008, the number of expected visits nearly duplicated. "Thus the enormous success of this initiative allusive to Christmas, promoted for the beautiful town of Óbidos is confirmed, with the support of the Espírito Santo Bank", relates a note of the autarchy press.

For 30 consecutive days, the picturesque streets of Óbidos where filled, with entire families absolutely amazed by the animation that took place. "Parents, children and grandparents lived memorable moments, which transformed Óbidos in to the centre of colour and joy".

The artificial snow was the main set/ event and surely one of the major innovations in relation to last year.
Several areas were specially prepared and animated: Santa Clause’s Village, Elf Land and the Igloo Maze, amongst others.
The goal was to recreate for the visitors all the childlike fantasy (kids and grownups alike), and this is why people of all ages rejoiced over the personal contact with, roughly, 110 animators, between Elves, Snow Dolls, Reindeers and, of course, Santa Clause…

The Óbidos Christmas Village event was also noticeable for two new areas, the ski track and the sled ramp, where the more adventurous could enjoy truly unique sensations.
These tracks, jointly with the indoor Ice ring, revealed themselves as the most popular spots of the event, having, this last, become the stage of the "acrobatics" of around 16 thousand people.

To the resemblance of last year, there was no lack of important social action, what naturally brought many smiles and true moments to some unprivileged children.

According to Telmo Faria, Mayor of Óbidos, this event served the purpose of incrementing economic "buzz" of the region and valorisation of the Historical Center, which continues to make Óbidos a living Heritage by performing solid educational and cultural work on Portuguese families and children.
The Mayor highlights that the winter period is no longer the dead season in Óbidos, as it used to be prior of the Vila Natal (Christmas Village) event.
"All of this was achieved with huge success. We achieved clear public objectives, with a noticeable financial performance. The event generated important incomes that have covered all the expenses without the need of any loan or any public support", referred still.

The numbers that marked the Óbidos Vila Natal (Christmas Village) event

• 200 thousand visitors (30% infants up to six years old)


• 16 thousand skaters


• Human Resources Output: 67 workers


• Human Resources in the event: 169 workers


• Human Resources figuration: 110 workers


• Human Resources shows: 735 workers


• 99 Models (costumes for the animation)


• 25 thousand Santa Claus hats distributed


• 60 thousand balloons distributed


• 100 thousand postal cards distributed


• 2 tons of sweets sold in the entire village


• 80 Schools/ 4 thousand infants


• 139 thousand small light bulbs and 1500 mt of light hose


• 2125 m2 of artificial snow


• 110 Trees planted