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Events Calendar

 

The Portuguese people hold a deep respect for festivals which have their origins in ancient tradition and religion. Some of these festivals have been in existence for many centuries. Newer festivals (featuring art and movies) are also showcased throughout the country, illustrating modern culture. Portuguese “Festas” and “Feiras” include religious festivals, pilgrimages, including Fatima, traditional dances, gastronomy, processions, firework displays, music, literature and dance.

2023 Events in Portugal

January 1:  New Year’s Day

February to March:  Carnival (In Ponta Delgada it’s celebrated with water battles)

February 24 to March 5:  Fantasporto International Film Festival, Porto

March 19:  St. Joseph’s Day (Dia de Sao Jose), Santarem

April 2 to 9:  Several towns celebrate Holy Week with Braga (Portugal center of catholicism and Obidos particulary interesting)

April 7 to 9:  Pacoa (Easter) weekend, Sexta-feira Santa (Good Friday) trough Sunday.

March 23 to April 2: Obidos chocolate festival

April 25:  Dia da Liberdade. Celebrtes end of 60 year fascist dictartoship. National holiday

April 27 to May 7: Lisbon Indie film festival

May 1:  Dia do Trabalhador (May Day equivalent to Labor Day in the USA)

May to September: Happens on Sundays. Lisbon free outdoor Somersby Jazz & Soul music 

May 13:  Peregrinacao de Fatima (Fatima Catholic pilgrimage) at Fatima Sanctuary (Santuario de Fatima)

May 19 to 26: Coimbra University town Graduation festivities  (Queima das Fitas)

Monty of June:  Festas de Lisboa, several Lisbon festivities with main days June 12-14

June to October:  Ponte de Lima Festival Internacional de Jardins ( International Garden Festival)

June (week of 10th of June): Santarem Feira Nacional de Agricultura (National Agriculture Fair) bullfights and bull-running

June 10: Dia de Portugal or Dia de Camões (Portuguese National Day). Fairs and Festivals across the country

June 12 to 13:  Dia de Santo António (Saint Anthony’s Day ), Lisbon processions and festivities

June 23 to 24: Porto Festa de São João (Saint John’s Day festival). Several unique celebrations all over town and in Douro river

June 29:  Evora, Cascais and Sintra Dia de Sao Pedro (Saint Peter Day). Religious festivities and celebrations

July 20 to 27:  Boom Festival, Idanha-a-Nova (close to Coimbra). Burning Man-like arts festival

August 9 to 12: Rock Sudoeste Festival. Zambujeira do Mar, Alentejo

August to September : Viseu historic Feira de São Mateus,(Saint Matheus fair) 

August 15:  Dia da Assuncao de Nossa Senhora (Our Lady Assumption Day). Nation-wide religious festivities and celebrations

August 31 to September 17: Festa do Vinho (Madeira Wine Festival) in Madeira island

September 8 to 17:  Sitio/Nazare Festas de Nossa Senhora de Nazare (Our Lady of Nazare Festival). Several types of celebrations and festivities

September to October:  Festival de Sintra (classical music and opera)

October 5:  Dia da Implatacao da Republica (Republic Day). National Holiday. Celebrates end of monarchy in Portugal

October 13: Peregrinacao de Fatima (Fatima Catholic pilgrimage) at Fatima Sanctuary (Santuario de Fatima)

November 1: Dia de Todos os Santos (All Saints’ Day). National holiday

December 1:  Restauracao da Independencia (Restoration of Independence Day). National holiday

December 8:  (Imaculada Conceição (Immaculate Conception). National holiday.

December 24:  Vespera de Natal (Christmas Eve). Traditional Cristian celebrations

December 25: Natal (Christmas Day). National holiday

December 31: Noite de Ano Novo or Noite de Passagem de Ano (New Year’s Eve)