WOW’s Chocolate Festival—the new cultural block of Vila Nova de Gaia, neighboring the city of Porto, in the north of Portugal, which consists of seven museums, twelve restaurants/bars, shops, wine school, a space for temporary exhibitions and an art gallery—will be held from April 9 to 17.
WOW was inaugurated in July 2020 based on the revitalization of old Port wine cellars, which gained a new life in the service of the culture and tradition of Porto. It has 55 thousand square meters and its mission is to increase the tourist attraction capacity of the northern region of the country.
WOW compiles the history, magic and emotions behind Portuguese wine, the drinking ritual and the cork industry. But it goes further and adds to the formula the history of Porto and the best that is done in the north of Portugal, such as textiles and fashion. And the gastronomic component is not lacking: there are different concepts of restaurants, bars and cafes to discover on the site.
Chocolate museum, at WOW
The word “chocolate” immediately grabs everyone’s attention and, therefore, WOW prepares itself even more to receive Easter. There are activities in the museums, chocolate in the various spaces, a giant Easter Egg in the Central Square, several workshops, an Egg exhibition in the Street Market and a market with several brands of chocolate.
One of the hosts of the party is the Chocolate Museum (The Chocolate Story) at WOW, where it will be possible to take a guided tour with four tastings. The “Chocolate Grand Tour” will offer the Xocolatl, the Aztec drink made with cocoa that enchanted the first Europeans when they arrived in Mexico, as well as the recipe for the first chocolate bar, ending with the silver (or chocolate) of the house: the brand Vinte Vinte, whose factory is attached to the museum and that being just one year old has already won eleven international awards.
Children can let their imaginations run wild and make their own chocolate, while older ones can participate in Chocolate Tasting, Chocolate Pairing with Port Wine and Wine Pairing with Chocolate Workshops.
Between the 11th and 16th of April, from 10 am to noon, all children who visit the museums will be able to participate in an Egg Hunt. Regardless of age, everyone who purchases a ticket for one of the museums receives a Vinte Vinte chocolate bar and is entitled to find a Golden Ticket. If you are one of the lucky ones, you win an exclusive visit to the Museum and the Chocolate Factory with the Chocolatier Master.
From the 14th to the 16th of April, the activities of the Chocolate Festival will be spread across other WOW spaces. Attention turns to Lemon Plaza, where a real market of various brands of chocolate and other products will be available for purchase, such as tablets, Easter eggs, almonds, liqueurs, beers, among others, such as the free Showcookings, this time dedicated to chocolate. In the same period, WOW’s 12 different bars and restaurants will offer thematic menus..
Outside, the impressive Central Square, with the best panoramic view of Porto and free admission, will gain other colors and will not miss the most classic figures of the time. In addition to an Easter Egg 2.5 meters high, an Easter Bunny will distribute chocolates and there will also be a Chocolate House with face painting and egg decoration workshops for all children who visit one of the museums, upon the acquisition of a ticket to enter at least one of the seven WOW museums.
To learn more, visit www.wow.pt/pt
