Caretos de Podence running through the streets during the Entrudo do Chocalheiro

Ultimate Portugal Events Guide: Best Festivals & Cultural Events for 2024 & 2025

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Portugal knows how to throw a brilliant party, and in 2025 these will be the biggest and best festivals and events to attend. Each year cities, towns and villages across Portugal play host to traditional celebrations, food-focused events and huge music festivals.

From celebrations with sardines and world-class street theatre, to medieval fairs and international music stars, I’ve rounded up some of the top festivals and traditional events across Portugal worth attending in 2025.

Music lover? Check out this article with best music festivals in 2025. Medieval minstrel? Step this way. Food is life? It sure is in Portugal. I have included a few of the events in this festivals guide, but if you want to go deep, check out those articles.

Contents

December 2024

Vinhos de Altitude, Serra de São Mamede

When: 6-7 December 2024
Where: Portalegre, 2.5 hours east of Lisbon
A wine fair in a huge church? Naturally. Vinhos de Altitude celebrates winemaking in the higher Alentejo region, specifically in the Serra de São Mamede park on the border with Spain. Taste your way through a dozen or so producers in the Convent of São Francisco.
More information to come

Óbidos Vila Natal

When: 30 November – 31 December 2024 
Where: Óbidos, 1 hour north of Lisbon
Óbidos, a small medieval walled village north of Lisbon, loves to throw big festivals and events throughout the year. At Christmas it turns the charming cobblestone streets into a world of light, colour and fantasy. Step through the village walls to find Christmas-themed attractions and amusements, from performances and games to an ice rink.
More information

Águeda é Natal

When: 16 November 2024 – 12 January 2025
Where: Águeda, near Aveiro
Águeda is a really cute little town in Central Portugal that’s famous for its umbrella streets. Come Christmas the colourful brollies are taken down and replaced with a festive white version plus other decoations that aren’t so subtle! Most notable is the giant Santa Claus, which is the largest in the world (Guinness record holder). There’s also a Christmas market, nativity scene, street entertainment and more.
More information

Christmas & New Year’s Eve in Lisbon

When: 1 December 2024 until 6 January 2025
Where: Lisbon
The Portuguese capital is alive with Christmas spirit. The main Christmas tree and lights of downtown will light up on November 23, and you can find Christmas markets scattered throughout the city along with concerts, ballet and other Christmas events. In Parque Eduardo VII there’s Wonderland, a huge festive takeover with an ice rink.

For New Year’s Eve, the main party is in Praça do Comércio where free concerts with famous Portuguese musicians start at 10pm. There’s a huge fireworks display at midnight, and a 12 bell countdown.

Christmas & New Year’s Eve in Porto

When: 1 December 2024 until 6 January 2025
Where: Porto
If you’re in Porto at Christmastime, expect to find plenty of festive fun. There’s ice rinks, music concerts, light shows and markets popping up across the city.

For New Year’s Eve in Porto, most people will go to Baixa do Porto (Porto downtown) to watch the fireworks.
More information

Christmas & New Year’s Eve on Madeira

When: 1 December 2024 until 7 January 2025
Where: Funchal, Madeira Island
Madeira takes events very seriously, so unsurprisingly the island capital Funchal is the centre of an extensive Christmas programme with cultural, ethnographic and artistic events. The city is lit with thousands of lights snaking up the steep streets.

Then for the New Year, a massive 10-minute fireworks display lights up the skies above Funchal. Given its location closer to Africa, Madeira is a warmer escape in the depths of winter too.
More information

Reino de Natal – Sintra

When: 1 -30 December 2024
Where: Sintra, Greater Lisbon
Sintra always has a magic feeling in the air, with its history of kings and queens and palaces, and a microclimate that often leaves it shouded in mist. This Christmas you’ll find a program of concerts and markets and festive theming.
More information

Penamacor – Vila Madeiro

When: 7-25 December 2024
Where: Penamacor, 3-hour drive from Lisbon
This small and remote inland village celebrates Christmas with a market, regional food and sweets, Christmas lighting, music and the largest bonfire in Portugal. The highlight is this big bonfire in the Matriz churchyard, which is lit at the stroke of midnight on December 23.
More information

More Medieval Fun? Best medieval and historic events in Portugal in 2025

January 2025

Festa das Fogaceiras

When: 20 January 2025
Where: Santa Maria da Feira, between Porto and Aveiro
A vow made five centuries ago to São Sebastião (Saint Sebastian) to rid the region of plague continues on January 20 each year. Apparently for four years the tradition stopped and the plague returned – so the locals continue this ancient tradition. Children dressed entirely in white with coloured belts carry a cake/loaf of bread on their head, crowned with paper cut in castle shapes, in a procession. There is also a mass, and the modern version has concerts and cultural events all January long.
More information

Festas em Honra de São Gonçalinho

When: 9-13 January 2025
Where: Aveiro, 1-hour south of Porto
One January day I stumbled on this festival in Aveiro, where locals were gathered around a small hexagonal chapel (Capela de São Gonçalinho). The restless crowd, carrying fishing rods, basketball hoops and umbrellas, were hot with anticipation. From the roof of the small chapel, someone started throwing cavacas (basically stale bread coated in sugar) into the sky. I’ve never seen old ladies move so fast, using their elbows to muscle their way into prime position. Jorge managed to catch one of the inexplicably highly prized breads and an 80-something-year-old woman demanded he give it to her, even though she had a whole bagful of them. He didn’t. The festival also has a market, concerts and other fun, with the legendary Quim Barreiro performing on the final night in 2025.
More information

Read next… 11 best things to do and see in Aveiro

XXXIII Feira do Fumeiro (Smoked Sausage Festival)

When: 23-26 January 2025
Where: Montealegre, on the northern border with Spain
The Portuguese take few things more seriously than a good sausage fest. The 33rd edition of this food festival takes place in Montealegre, a small border city deep in the north. Smoked sausages – chouriços, morcela (blood sausage), alheira (smoked bird) – and good ham are a few things I associate with the far north of Portugal. If you can make it, you won’t be disappointed.
More information

February

Feira do Fumeiro de Vinhais (Smoked Meats Fair)

When: 6-9 February 2025
Where: Vinhais, Trás-os-Montes – two hours east of Porto
Vinhais is a tiny town in the far north-east of Portugal. Having tried the smoked chorizos and meats from Trás-os-Montes, I won’t argue with their self-declared title as the “capital of smoked meats”. They just do it better up there! Expect to find a fair with a huge range of artisanal charcuterie, cold cuts and smoked sausages.
More information

Feira do Queijo Serra da Estrela – Seia (Cheese Fair)

When: 21-23 February 2025
Where: Seia, Serra de Estrela Mountain
Love cheese? So do the Portuguese. Search “Feira do Queijo” in Google and you’ll find dozens of cheese fairs popping up across the country, usually in the cooler months. One of Portugal’s most famous cheeses is the gooey, pungent and buttery Serra da Estrela cheese. As you’d expect, this food festival in Portugal will be full of them.
More information 

March

Carnival 2025

When: 4 March 2025
Where: Across Portugal
Carnaval (or Carnival) is celebrated with bright and colourful parades all over Portugal, from the north to the south. Most locals tend to gravitate towards the Rio-style carnivals and celebrations that are all spandex and sequins, but there are rich carnaval traditions in Portugal that go back to pagan roots. I prefer to chase the strange, quirky pagan carnivals across Portugal. The best falls in the village of Podence where caretos channel the devil in the name of spring fertility. You could also try Lamego or the Xiste Villages. For modern carnivals with floats, feathers and a touch of Disney, look up Torres Vedras, Sesimbra, Ovar, Madeira Island and Loulé to name a few.

Read more: Devil on the loose: 7 traditional pagan carnivals to attend in Portugal

Rip Curl Pro Portugal

When: 6-16 March 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Praia de Supertubos, Peniche, 70-minute drive north of Lisbon
Watch the world’s surfing elite battle it out at this top professional surfing competition. Part of the WSL – World Surf League Tour – this leg of the contest is held in Peniche at Praia de Supertubos, a beach famous for its large, tubular-shaped waves.
More information

Lisbon Half Marathon

When: 9 March 2025
Where: Lisbon
If you’ve always wanted to run across the iconic red 25 de Abril bridge, this is your chance. The Lisbon Half Maraton takes runners across the famous bridge, offering participates unique panoramic views over the city. Of course, to enjoy those views you have to complete the 21-kilometre race, starting at the toll booths, and ending in front of the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos in Belém, or a shorter 7.2-kiloemtre course.
More information

VI Festival Internacional de Balonismo (Hot Air Balloon Festival)

When: 21-24 March 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Coruche, 70-minute drive from Lisbon
This hot air balloon festival in Coruche aims to raise awareness of the Montado territory, considered one of the 35 most important ecosystems in the world for the conservation of biodiversity (according to the WWF). Take a hot air balloon ride, watch the colourful balloons rise above the landscape, wander an artisan market, or enjoy street food, concerts and entertainment.
More information

Pura Sede (Natural Wine Fair)

When: 23-24 March 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Lisbon
Each year this natural wine fair focuses on what nature provides, perfect for those with a thirst for purity. A ticket gains you access to a huge fair where you can taste wine directly from the producers themselves.
More information

Talha à Mesa (Amphora Wine Festival)

When: 22-23 March 2025
Where: Vidigueira, Alentejo
This weekend is focused on talha wines – the huge clay amphora vessels that are still used to make some Alentejo wines. At the Adega Cooperativa de Vidigueira there will be a bar with only talha wines, invited chefs cooking up a feast, cooking demonstrations, entertainment and a masterclass. Book tickets for the various events ahead of time.
More information to come

Millennium Estoril Open

When: 26 March – 4 April 2025
Where: Estoril, 30-minute drive west of Lisbon
The Estoril Open is Portugal’s biggest international tennistournament, and it takes place at the Tennis Club of Estorial, a short distance from Lisbon. It’s the only Portuguese tournament on the ATP circuit and bring big-names to the city.
More information

April

Contraband Festival

When: 4-6 April 2025
Where: Alcoutim, inland Algarve
This festival connects Portugal and Spain over the Guadiana River, with neighbouring towns celebrating border-town friendships and the past thrills of trafficking. The two towns – Alcoutim and Sanlúcar de Guadiana – build a pedestrian bridge across the river for the event. Expect entertainment, music, and fun.
More information

XIII Grande Mostra Vinhos de Portugal (Portuguese Wine Show)

When: 12-14 April 2024 (dates for 2025 TBC)
Where: Albufeira, Algarve coast
This huge wine fair will take over the Espaço Multiusos de Albufeira, bringing more than 100 exhibitors to the space. That makes the 13th edition one of Portugal’s largest wine shows, with more than 9,000 people expected. It’s put on by the Confraria do Bacchus de Albufeira with doors open from 3pm each day.
More information

Ovar em Jazz

When: 17-20 April 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Ovar, south of Porto
Learn, experiment, celebrate and listen to jazz for four days this April with concerts, improv workshops, conversations and more in this eclectic program.
More information

Feira de São Marcos

When: 24-28 April 2024 (dates for 2025 TBC)
Where: Alter Do Chão, Alto Alentejo
Combining traditions with modern Portuguese culture, this local fair brings horses, handicrafts, regional products and agriculture into the spotlight. There are also concerts featuring big Portuguese names in music, like Os Quatro e Meia.
More information

Ovibeja

When: 29 April – 4 May 2025
Where: Beja, lower Alentejo
Agriculture is the focus at the 41st edition of this fair that attracts more than 150,000 people each year and features more than 1,000 exhibitors. Explore themed pavilions, admire livestock and tractors, learn about rural life and enjoy big concerts.
More information

Festa das Cruzes

When: 29 April – 4 May 2025
Where: Barcelos, north of Porto
Expect a feast of colour, culture and Christ at the “Feast of the Crosses” in Barcelos. North of Porto, this festival is considered the first great romaria (basically a big outdoor party) of the northern Minho region and dates back to the 16th century. It’s linked to a legend: apparently in 1504 local shoemaker João Pires was returning from mass when he saw a black cross in the middle of Campo da Feira. While it still has religious roots, there is also traditional folk performances, carpets made of petals, concerts and a procession. It’s a party!
More information

May 2025

Madeira Festival of Flowers

When: 1-25 May 2025
Where: Funchal, Madeira Island
The best spring festival in Portugal isn’t on the mainland at all. The annual flower festival brings three weeks of celebrations to the island of Madeira, with the city of Funchal at the heart of all. Expect exuberant parades, old car shows, folk dance performances, a rare orchard house, pop-up markets and more.
More information

Feira Setecentista

When: 17-19 May 2024 (dates for 2025 TBC)
Where: Vila Real de Santo Antonio, eastern Algarve
Go back in time to 18th-century life to mark the founding of the Algarve town of Vila Real de Santo António. Expect markets, banquets, parades, shows and historical recreations true to the years 1774-1776. The program ends with a grand masquerade ball in honour of D. José I, including a lesson in etiquette and dance. Free entry.
More information 

Read next: Where to stop between Lisbon and Lagos

Queima das Fitas – Burning of the Ribbons

When: 23-31 May 2025
Where: Coimbra
Coimbra, Portugal’s ancient university city, throws a massive party each May for its new graduates. Old students also descend on the city for reunions and it’s a spectacle of parades, dances and serenades to celebrate the end of the academic year. It starts with a traditional serenade in front of the Sé Velha (Old Cathedral), then rolls into a week of madness, cultural events and hangovers. The most important event to attend is the burning of the ribbons in Largo da Feira. 
More information

Imaginarius – International Street Theatre Festival

When: 23-26 May 2024 (dates for 2025 TBC)
Where: Santa Maria da Feira, between Porto and Aveiro
Circus, theatre and music descend when Imaginarius arrives each May. Portugal’s largest street arts event attracts cabaret, theatre and comedy troupes from across Europe and the world to this Portuguese town. Best of all, it’s free.
More information

Beja Romana

When: 26-28 May 2024 (dates for 2025 TBC)
Where: Beja, lower Alentejo
Step back 2,000 years to when Beja was Pax Iulia, thought to be the most important city in the south-west of the Iberian Peninsula. Back then the city had not quite shaken off the Iron Age but was fast progressing. Learn about Portugal’s Roman heritage while enjoying street entertainment, music, markets and fun. 
More information

XI Cruzeiro Religioso e Cultural do Tejo

When: May/June 2024 (dates for 2025 TBC)
Where: Rosmaninhal to Oeiras, along the Tejo River
Over a month this religious pilgrimage makes its way down the Tejo River, from the Spanish border town of Santiago de Alcántara to Oeiras (just west of Lisbon). This is a journey of almost 300 km, and makes many stops along the way. 
More information

June 2025

Primavera Sound Music Festival

When: 12-15 June 2024
Where: Parque da Cidade, Porto
This major music festival takes over Porto each June, bringing a killer line-up of national and international artists to multiple stages within the Parque da Cidade (City Park). The 2025 line up already has Charlie XCX, Central Cee, Jamie XX, Beach House, Deftones, Fontaines D.C, Haim, Michael Kiwanuka, Turnstile, Floating Islands, Parcels, Wet Leg and more on the bill.

Good to know: As one of Porto’s biggest summer festivals, you want to plan ahead. If you need accommodation, book early. This music festival is held near the coast, so it would be better to stay in Matosinhos or Foz do Douro than the city centre (if you can).

O Tapete Está na Rua

When: 6-10 June 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Arraiolos, 80-minute drive from Lisbon
Arraiolos is a village in the Alentejo that’s famous for its beautiful carpets or rugs. “The Rug is on the Street” brings the artisans and their work out from behind closed doors, transforming the town into a gallery. Expect to see many examples of the local tapestry spread across the streets and squares, and hung on doors, windows and balconies with women working away. Naturally, there will also be concerts in the evening and plenty of food.
More information

Santos Populares – Lisbon’s Sardine Festival

When: June 12, but really all of June
Where: Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhoods
Every June the smell of sardines and sound of pimba music ricochets through the narrow cobbled streets of the city’s most traditional neighbourhoods during a month-long party. The Santos Populares Festival, sometimes called the Festival of Sardines, peaks with the so-called longest night of the year in Lisbon on June 12. That night we celebrate Santo António with an all-night street party – think drinking, dancing and grilled sardines. I’ve written a guide covering everything you need to know if you find yourself in Lisbon in June during the Santos Populares or Santo António Festival.
More information – read my guide to Santos in Lisbon

Arraial Pride Lisboa & EuroPride

When: 14-22 June 2025
Where: Praça do Comercio in Lisbon
Since 1997 the Arraial Pride has been Portugal’s largest LGBTI+ community and gay pride event – more than 75,000 attended in 2019! June is already a party in Lisbon, and the Arraial Pride steps it up another notch with even more music, food, drink and dancing. The fun is held in the main square, Praça do Comercio, and in 2025 the annual Pride March will be on June 21. At the same time this year the city will host EuroPride – a first for Portugal – with events, parties, debates, workshops and the EuroPride Parade 2025 too.
More information

Atlantic Festival

When: 6-29 June 2025
Where: Madeira Island
June is a month-long party on the island of Madeira too. The Atlantic Festival is a celebration based around extraordinary pyromusical shows, which take place every Saturday in June in the island capital, Funchal. Watch the sky light up with fireworks and catch concerts, traditional performances and more.
More information

Festa de São João

When: June 23 every year
Where: Porto
For more than 600 years the people of Porto have been celebrating the “Feast of Saint John” on June 23 and 24. Similar to Lisbon’s celebration of St Anthony, in Porto expect a massive street party with traditional music, drinking, dancing and grilled sardines. But Porto’s festivities have a few differences. People walk around hitting each other on the head with plastic hammers (originally leeks), they jump over bonfires, release lanterns into the sky, and there’s a fireworks show at midnight. But the party doesn’t stop there – they go until the sun comes up, with some even walking some 6km Ribeira to Foz do Douro to watch the sunrise from the beach.

Porto isn’t the only place to celebrate São João – the nearby city of Braga also parties on, as does Evora.

LISB-ON #JardimSonoro

When: 27-29 June 2025
Where: Jardim Keil do Amaral, Monsanto, Lisboa
LISB-ON falls somewhere between chill-out and techno, with a touch of disco, house, jazz, soul, funk, and electronic pop too. Bringing DJs and concerts to Lisbon’s largest park, the urban festival “brings the party into the daylight” with a focus on diversity and quality sounds from national and international artists.

Festas Populares São Pedro, Montijo

When: 25 June – 1 July 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Montijo, south of Lisbon
Eat, drink and be merry late into the night is the vibe of Portugal’s popular saints festivals – and the same happens in Montijo. Here the streets are decorated with balloons, flowers and basil with a number of events during the festivities. On June 29 there’s a religious procession on the river with decorated fishing boats, and another at night. 
More information

July

Festa do Colete Encarnado 

When: 5-7 July 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Vila Franca de Xira, north of Lisbon
About 20 minutes north of Lisbon, the biggest event in Vila Franca de Xira feels a world away from city life. Festa do Colete Encarnado (or Festival of the Red Waistcoat) is a three-day festival that takes its name from the traditional red waistcoats worn by campinos or cowboys/bull fighters. Day one features a parade celebrating the campino, then the bulls are let loose on the streets and silly young men try to avoid the carnage – there have been casualties in the past.
More information

Terras da Transumância

When: Various dates between June – September 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Castro Daire, Fundão, Gouveia & Seia – four mountain towns near Serra da Estrela
This series of events celebrates the seasonal pastoral traditions and heritage of these four towns. Essentially shepherds move their flocks to the higher pastures in summer, then back to the valleys for winter. This is a big deal and a big celebration with sheep and goats dressed up. You will need to dive into the details, but on some days you can follow the herd to the sound of marching drums and cowbells. On others expect workshops, markets, food and even bonfires.
More information

EDP Cool Jazz

When: 4-31 July 2025
Where: Cascais, west of Lisbon
Summer nights in gorgeous gardens with the sweet, sweet sound of jazz – that’s Cool Jazz. This festival brings big name artists, contemporary singers and instrumentalists to open-air venues in Cascais.

Good to know: Cascais is close to Lisbon. You could choose to stay in the coastal town of Cascais, or stay in downtown Lisbon and take the train.

Festival Med

When: 27-30 June 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Loulé, Algarve
This world music festival takes over the historic centre of Loulé, bringing the sound and vibe of several countries to Portugal. Expect well-known world music names plus street theatre, artisan markets, dance and an international street food market.
More information

NOS Alive

When: 10-12 July 2025
Where: Passeio Marítimo de Algés, Lisbon
NOS Alive always brings a brilliant and varied line-up to Lisbon, and artists have been announced for 2025 – Olivia Rodrigo, Noah Kahan, Benson Boone, St Vincent, The Teskey Brothers, CMAT, Future Islands and many more to come. I find NOS Alive is always super well organised and great to attend (Ladies, I’m talking next to no bathroom queues at a really, really big summer music festival. Awesome).
More information

Good to know: You can easily stay in Lisbon and take a short train, tram or taxi to the festival grounds on the riverbank west of the city. To be closer to the action, stay in Alges – but know that the music doesn’t really start until 5pm.

Festival dos Canais

When: 17-21 July 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Aveiro, one-hour south of Porto
In 2022, this festival welcomed about 400 artists from 16 countries to 25 locations across Aveiro. This community and culture event will return for five days this July, bringing the coastal university city to life.
More information

Super Bock Super Rock

When: 17-19 July 2025
Where: Meco Beach, south of Lisbon
In 2024, Italian rock band Måneskin headlined along with Royal Blood. In 2023 we saw 1975, Franz Ferdinand, Steve Lacy and more descend on Meco, south of Lisbon and close to the beach – I went that year and we ziplined into the festival and later played dodgem cars. Good fun beyond the bands! Choose to camp or take direct transport to Lisbon and enjoy this major Portuguese music festival. Super Bock Super Rock always delivers a brilliant international line-up and is one of the best music festivals in Portugal.

Good to know: This major festival near Lisbon is a little hard to reach. Make a plan to camp at the festival, take the coach or organise accommodation close by Aldeia do Meco.

Feira de Sant’Iago

When: 25 July – 4 August 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Parque Sant’Iago, Setúbal, 45 minutes south of Lisbon
Apparently the annual fair in Setúbal has been held for more than 400 years and attracts some 400,000 people each edition, making it one of the largest feiras or fairgrounds in the country. Expect a line-up of concerts, street entertainment, artisan markets, food stalls, and plenty of fun.
More information

August

Viagem Medieval

When: 31 July – 11 August 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Santa Maria da Feira, between Porto and Aveiro
Viagem Medieval (Medieval Journey) is Europe’s largest medieval recreation event, held annually in Santa Maria da Feira. More than 1,600 performers bring the Middle Ages to life over 12 days of festivities. Each year has a different theme and tells a new story of Portugal’s history. There is a small entry fee, plus you can book costumes.
More information

More Medieval Fun? Best medieval and historic events in Portugal in 2023

Festas Gualterianas

When: first weekend of August, 2-4 August 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Guimarães, north of Porto
This grand fair in celebration of São Gualter (St. Walter) has taken place in the “birthplace of Portugal” since 1906. The most unusual event on the line-up of parades, markets, dancing, music and entertainment is the “Battle of Flowers”.
More information

Romaria de Nossa Senhora da Agonia

When: 12-20 August 2025
Where: Viana do Castelo, north of Porto
If you’re a fan of filigree jewellery, fishermen and feasts don’t miss the biggest event of the year in Viana do Castelo. There are stacks of events, parades, concerts and celebrations to choose from with everything focused around August 20, a religious day. In 2023 I ventured up on the Thursday to catch the Mordomia Parade where thousands of local women wear beautiful folklore costumes (trajes) and march down the streets with huge quantities of gold around their necks. These are mostly heirlooms dating back centuries, but together it makes the largest outdoor showcase of gold in the world.
More information

Read my recap… Romaria d’Agonia: The most beautiful traditional festival in Portugal

Silves Medieval Fair

When: 8-16 August 2025
Where: Silves, west Algarve
Step back into the Middle Ages with this medieval fair that returns Silves to its golden age. Over nine days see how the Moors and Christians lived in this old city, once the capital of the Algarve during the Arab occupation. We attended pre-pandemic and I was so impressed by the dedication to detail – no plastic cups or plates, all locally made terracotta ceramics – plus there was loads of entertainment including jousting, jugglers, acrobats, dancers and snake charmers.
More information

45th Luz de Tavira International Folklore Festival

When: 16-17 August 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Luz da Tavira, Algarve
This folk dancing festival brings together groups from Portugal, Thailand, Czechia and more for a night of traditional dance.
More information

30th Festival de Folclore

When: 17 August 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Praça Marquês de Pombal, Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Algarve
If you want to see just traditional Portuguese folk dancing, this night invites half a dozen groups from across Portugal (and one from Canada!) to show off Portuguese folk dancing styles.
More information

FIARTIL – Estoril International Handicrafts Fair

When: June until 25 August 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Estoril, greater Lisbon
Since 1964, this open-air artisan festival has popped up in a beautiful garden next to the casino. It’s popular in the evenings, when you can shop dozens and dozens of artisan stalls.

Madeira Wine Fest

When: 25 August – 15 September 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Funchal, Madeira Island
Madeira wine is a really interesting product, and one that you can explore with this festival that includes many events – from harvesting to tasting – across the island. If you want to join a harvest, you can take part in this tradition!
More information

September

Festa das Vindimas

When: 29 August – 3 September 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Palmela, 30-minute drive from Lisbon
Each year this festival celebrates the local wine harvest and Palmela’s winemaking traditions. A huge party takes place over many days with many events, including the crowning of a festival Queen. Join in grape picking, wine tasting, traditional dancing, and concerts. Taste local traditional dishes and, of course, sample local wines. 
More information

Festival F

When: 5-7 September 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Faro, Algarve
This summer festival ignites the historic centre of Faro with several stages in the city. Besides live music, expect cinema and stand-up comedy, arts and literature, street entertainment and food stalls.
More information

Alma do Vinho Alenquer

When: 12-15 September 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Alenquer, 45-minute drive north of Lisbon
Alma do Vinho is one of Portugal’s largest wine festivals, and the program combines tasting top quality wine with huge concerts, grape stomping, chefs, and exhibits. You pay entry and get a wine glass to taste unlimited amounts of wine, then party until the wee hours with live music.
More information

Chefs on Fire

When: 20-21 September 2025
Where: FIARTIL, Estoril, about 30 minutes west from Lisbon
Chefs on Fire is the jewel in the crown of Portugal’s food festivals. Set in a beautiful park, beneath towering pine trees, some of Portugal’s most highly regarded and Michelin-starred chefs cook up a feast using only fire. Each day chefs and food changes, along with a line-up of great bands and musicians too. Unmissable.
More information

Related blog: Best food festivals and events in Portugal in 2024

MEO Kalorama

When: 29-31 August 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Parque da Bela Vista, Lisbon
In 2024, LCD Soundsystem, Massive Attack, Sam Smith, Jungle, Peggy Gou, and many more are on the line-up for this major three-day festival in Lisbon, taking place at a massive park within the city limits.

Good to know: This festival happens in the heart of Lisbon, so you can book accommodation in the city.

Feira de São Mateus – Viseu

When: 1 August – 8 September 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Viseu
In 2024 it will be the 632nd edition of Viseu’s main festival. Yes, the 632nd annual fair! Wild. This year the feira features 43 days packed with big concerts, delicious food, carnival rides and folk culture.
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Feira de São Mateus – Elvas

When: 20 September – 1 October (2025 TBC)
Where: Parque da Piedade, Elvas
When festivals have a religious core, more than one town celebrates. Elvas, an Alentejo town on the border with Spain, hosts a grand feira with music, markets and more. The largest in the Alentejo region, this fairground attracts around 200,000 people annually.
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October

Birdwatching & Nature Festival, Sagres

When: 3-6 October 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Vila do Bispo & Sagres, western Algarve
Portugal’s biggest nature event returns with field trips, boat tours, workshops, talks, environmental studies, hikes, photography courses, bird ringing sessions, history-themed guided tours and dolphin-watching.
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EDP Lisbon Marathon

When: 6 October 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Lisbon
Lisbon’s 42km marathon sets off from Cascais, following the coast and river until the finish line at Parque das Nações. Expect panoramic sea or river views at all times! The Half Marathon starts at the Vasco da Gama Bridge, crossing one of the longest bridges in Europe on foot while it’s closed to cars!
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FIMP – International Puppet Festival

When: 5-15 October 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Porto
The artistry of puppets takes so many forms, and this festival in Porto celebrates them all. Expect shows and workshops across theatres in the city, with puppet masters flying in from across the world.
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Pilgrimages to Fátima

When: 12-13 October 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Fátima
The Santuário de Nossa Senhora de Fátima is the largest Catholic pilgrimage centre in Portugal. The biggest gatherings of pilgrims happen on 12 and 13 May, and 12 and 13 October.
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Feira de Santa Iria

When: 20-29 October 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Faro, central Algarve
In the Algarve, the city of Faro celebrates St Irene every October with a brilliant fair. It’s thought to have been around since 1596 and the fun lasts nine days with a spectacle of food, artisan crafts and fairground rides.
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Festival Nacional de Gastronomia (National Gastronomic Festival)

When: 25 October – 3 November 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Santarém
The smaller city of Santarém tries to represent all of Portugal’s rich regional cuisines in one big showcase. Held for more than 40 years, you’ll find a bit of everything at this food festival, with cuisine from the north to south to the islands of Azores and Madeira. Expect food stalls, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings and more, plus confrarias from across Portugal.
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November

Monchique Walking Festival

When: 29 November – 1 December 2024 (2025 TBC)
Where: Monchique, Algarve
This outdoor festival will combine nature walks in the hills around Monchique with talks, workshops, performances and talks.
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Feira Nacional do Cavalo Golegã (National Horse Fair) 

When: Early November 2025
Where: Golegã, north of Lisbon
Each November the Feira de São Martinho (or the Feira Nacional do Cavalo slash National Horse Fair) brings bullfighting, horse parades and traditional fun to the town of Golegã. Located in the Ribatejo north of Lisbon, the town is known as the horse capital of Portugal and is famous for the renowned Lusitano breed. Each year around Saint Martin’s Day (11 November) people descend on the town for fun, food and wine (and to buy horses).
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Festival Internacional Balões de Ar Quente (Hot Air Balloon Festival)

When: Early November 2025
Where: Alentejo town, east of Lisbon
A spectacle of hot air balloons takes over about eight towns each November for this nine-day festival. Beyond being visually magical to see all the balloons go up, the Festival Internacional Balões de Ar Quente (FIBAQ) usually offers free mini flights (with a charity donation) and attracts balloons from Portugal, Spain, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and more.
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São Martinho or Magusto

When: 11 November 2025
Speaking of Saint Martin (or São Martinho), November 11 is a favourite day to celebrate in Portugal. Saint Martin was a Roman soldier who cut his cloak in half to share with a cold beggar. Afterwards the sun came out – and it’s why warm winter days in early November are called Saint Martin’s Summer. This time of year the Portuguese enjoy Magusto, a celebration that involves bonfires, wine and chestnuts, especially in the Trás-os-Montes and Beira Baixa areas.

Portugal has so many cool events that showcase the country’s vibrant culture, music and food. Have I missed something worth talking about? Let me know in the comments….

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Daniela Sunde-Brown

I'm an Australian travel and food writer who has called Lisbon home since 2018. To help others explore Portugal, I write deep stories about Portuguese traditions, regional dishes, local artisans, and sustainable fashion and ceramics
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Headshot of Daniela Sunde-Brown in a tiled dress with a straw hat on

Olá, I'm Daniela

I’m an Australian travel and food writer who has called Lisbon home since 2018. To help others explore Portugal, I write deep stories about Portuguese traditions, regional dishes, local artisans, and sustainable fashion and ceramics 🙂

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