Departing and arriving in Aveiro, the Vouga Historic Train, known as “Vouguinha”, will once again be running to celebrate the Christmas season.
In Águeda, one of the stops, the traditional lights will be switched on and it will be possible to see the “Biggest” and “Smallest Santa Claus in the World”.
From November 23rd, it will be possible to celebrate Christmas on board the Vouga Historic Train, known as “Vouguinha”. CP – Comboios de Portugal promises a festive and nostalgic journey along the only narrow-gauge line in operation in the country. During the journey, departing and arriving in Aveiro, passengers can also enjoy themed entertainment, adding a special touch to the experience.
After an inaugural trip scheduled for this Saturday, November 16, the Christmas Edition of the Vouga Historic Train will be held every Saturday from November 23 to January 4, 2025.
The five carriages from the early years of the 20th century, towed by the historic diesel locomotive 9004, depart Aveiro at 1.35pm and head for Macinhata do Vouga. Here, as well as entertainment and a display and sale of regional products, passengers are taken on a guided tour of the Macinhata do Vouga Railway Museum.
CP’s instagrammable train will run again in Beira Baixa
The “Vouguinha” then heads to Águeda for a three-hour stop. Before returning to Aveiro, passengers can enjoy a guided tour of the city’s streets, watch the lights being switched on and take part in the various activities associated with the “Águeda é Natal” event.
The ticket for the Vouga Historic Train Christmas Edition costs €39. Children aged between 4 and 12 pay €24. The train should arrive in Aveiro at 20h00.
The “Biggest” and “Smallest Santa Claus in the World”
With the traditional Christmas Parade through the streets of the city, Águeda kicks off the Christmas season celebrations this Saturday, November 16, followed by the “symbolic and always long-awaited moment of the lights being switched on”, at 6pm, in Largo 1.º de Maio, next to the “World’s Largest Santa Claus”, a status conferred by the “Guinness Book of Records”.
At 21 meters high and illuminated with more than 250,000 LEDs, it is one of the city’s Christmas symbols. Alongside this, Águeda is once again presenting, at the Tourist Office, the nano structure by artist Willard Wigan, who has created a Santa Claus that fits through the eye of a needle and can only be seen through a microscope. He is therefore called the “World’s Smallest Santa Claus”.
“Enchanted spaces, illuminations and decorations, cultural and sporting entertainment and the famous and welcoming umbrellas are some of the attractions of Águeda é Natal, which promises to illuminate the city with joy and charm until January 12, 2025,” announces the municipality. One of this year’s novelties is an installation in the shape of a giant snowman in the upper part of the city.
The Vouga historical train runs between Aveiro and Macinhata do Vouga