Over the Easter weekend, WOW, the cultural district in Vila Nova de Gaia, hosted a three-day celebration featuring chocolate-themed workshops, family-friendly entertainment and special brunch offerings across several restaurants.
The festivities began ahead of the holiday, with daily “Chocolatinhos” workshops starting April 5 to coincide with the school break. Children were invited to shape and mould chocolate dough, unleashing their creativity in sessions that ran through the Easter period.
From April 18 to 20, WOW’s main square and surrounding venues transformed into a hub of Easter-themed activity. A giant, colorful rabbit installation greeted visitors, while Lemon Plaza offered a dedicated area for children’s entertainment, including face painting, inflatables and a trampoline. Nearby, a festive market sold seasonal treats such as crepes, cotton candy, truffles, brigadeiros and hot chocolate.
An Easter egg exhibition near the Suspiro café drew families who admired and voted on intricately decorated eggs. The Chocolatinhos workshop also took place in the Street Market during the three-day celebration, allowing visitors to observe young chocolatiers at work.
In addition to the children’s events, The Chocolate Story Museum welcomed families with a combined workshop and museum ticket. Guests learned about the history of cocoa and sampled various chocolates during their visit. Two adults-only workshops were also offered: a €40 session pairing Vinte Vinte chocolates with Port wine, and a €10 chocolate tasting class featuring six house-made varieties.
WOW’s restaurants joined in the celebration, with several offering themed dishes for the occasion. VP hosted a festive brunch on April 19 and 20, serving items like eggs Benedict, pancakes, cod with cream, and vegetable curry throughout the day.
The Easter program was part of WOW’s broader initiative to combine culinary exploration with cultural and family-oriented experiences, drawing both locals and tourists for a sweet and lively holiday weekend.
