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Another Christmas is just around the corner and with it the long-awaited gathering of friends and family on the famous Souto Street, more precisely at the "Bananeiro" (Banana) store.

A trip to "Bananeiro" just hours before Christmas Eve dinner is one of the most kept traditions by the people of Braga. It all started more than three decades ago at the “Casa das Bananas” store (House of Bananas). At that time, the establishment belonging to Manuel Rio, was just a warehouse of bananas that, wanting to attract more customers, set up a small counter where you could drink a glass of muscat wine; when the client requested something to comfort the stomach with, the owner presented him with a banana.

But this unusual combination has gained more strength, thanks to the little tradition that the former owner's son, Jorge Rio (known as the "banana man” in the city), created with his schoolmates, by gathering together at  the “Casa das Bananas” store during Christmas time, to toast with a glass of muscat wine, always accompanied by a banana.

Without realizing it, suddenly what was a small gathering of friends and clients, transformed, year after year, into a meeting point for all the people of Braga, rich or poor, young or old, men or women.

These days, the Souto Street is flooded by thousands of people. Everyone heads to "Bananeiro" to toast Christmas with family and friends. There are stories of longtime friends that only meet up once a year, precisely at "Bananeiro".

So, now you know, on December 24th, from 4 to 8 pm, head to "Bananeiro", where with a glass of muscat wine from Setúbal, accompanied by a banana, you can toast and wish a Merry Christmas to family, friends and those you haven’t seen for some time.

Merry Christmas!