São Vicente opens competition for the Enchanted Forest at Jardim Botto Machado

The São Vicente Parish Council, in Lisbon, has opened a public selection procedure for the temporary granting of the use of public space and the operation of the Christmas event “Bosque Encantado” (Enchanted Forest), to be installed in the Jardim Botto Machado. The decision was made at the 31st meeting of the executive on November 5, 2026, and published in the Diário da República on November 9, 2026, via Notice No. 27979-A/2026/2. The notice is signed by the President of the Council, André Gorba Biveti, dated November 6.

The procedure is open under Article 56 of Annex I to Law No. 75/2013, of September 12, and in compliance with point 9 of Deliberation No. 32/2026. The same deliberation approved the Procedure Program, the Specifications/Conditions for Granting and Operation, the Event Operating Regulations, the Draft Contract, and the base map of the space. The tender is governed by Decree-Law No. 280/2007, of August 7, and by the Legal Regime for Access and Exercise of Trade, Services, and Catering Activities (RJACSR), approved by Decree-Law No. 10/2015, of January 16, and is not subject to Part II of the Public Contracts Code.

A twelve-day event with tight assembly and disassembly

The “Bosque Encantado” will be open to the public between December 11 and 22, 2026, with assembly starting from December 9 and disassembly completed by the end of the day on December 23. The calendar imposes three prior conditions for installation:

• Assembly cannot begin before the granting of the contract.
• Payment of the financial consideration and the occupation fee is mandatory.
• The Parish Council must previously validate the technical dossier.

One hundred and eight square meters and up to twelve modules

The maximum area of occupation and operation is 108 m², which may include up to 12 stalls, stands, or modules, with a maximum individual size of 3 m × 3 m. The local authority ensures on-site:

• One electrical power point, with an available capacity of 20.7 kVA.
• One water point.
• The opening of existing public restrooms.
• Routine cleaning of the public space.
• Lighting, equipment, decorative structures, and other Christmas animation activities.

Consideration of 1,500 euros and occupation fee of 4,503.60 euros

The minimum financial contribution is set at €1,500.00, to be presented in an opaque and sealed envelope, independently from the technical proposal. The occupancy fee is due regardless of this contribution, applies to a maximum area of 108 m², and covers the period from December 9 to 23, 2026, inclusive — 15 days —, with an estimated value of €4,503.60, subject to final settlement. The evaluation of proposals combines two factors: the technical evaluation, with a weighting of 70%, and the financial evaluation, with 30%, according to the criteria, sub-criteria, and formula of the Procedure Program.

Five working days and two separate envelopes

Interested parties have only five working days, counted from the day following the publication of the notice, i.e., until November 16, 2026, to submit their application. Delivery is made in a sealed letter at the Reception of the Board Headquarters, at Rua Josefa de Óbidos, n.º 5, 1170-196 Lisboa, from Monday to Friday, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, in an outer envelope containing Envelope A — Technical Proposal and Envelope B — Financial Proposal, the latter being opaque, sealed, and autonomous. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. Requests for clarification must be sent to geral.contratacao@jf-saovicente.pt by the 3rd working day prior to the end of the deadline, with responses disclosed to all interested parties by the 2nd working day prior. The procedure documents are available on the Board’s website and at the headquarters, on working days, between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

The short application window and the proximity of the event leave little preparation time for promoters, but the tender opens the operation of a municipal space to private operators during a period of strong tourist and commercial demand in the Santa Apolónia area. The minimum revenue of 1,500 euros, added to the occupancy fee of over 4,500 euros, defines the entry level for an initiative that the parish wants to see carried out at the promoter’s own expense and risk.

Source: Diário da República, no. 217, of November 9, 2026, 2nd series, Supplement, Part H — Local Authorities, pág. 1-2 (official reference: Notice no. 27979-A/2026/2).