Portugal is known for its strong cultural heritage. One of the first things we learned in Portuguese class was the 3 F’s: Fatima (religion), Família (family), and Football (that’s soccer to all our American friends).
However, I think the festa should be added since it is an integral part of Portuguese culture. You can find a festival in Portugal every single month of the year.
We just finished up a festival weekend here in Serra D’El Rei. Our village celebrated a 3-day festa in honor of the feast of São Sebastião, patron saint of athletes and archers. He is the patron saint of our church in our village and every year, we have a festa or celebration in honor of him.
What you can expect at festivals in Portugal
For each village, town, or city, the festa is different. There are usually street decorations such as lights and streamers.
There is also music whether it be traditional bands or DJs mixing tunes into the morning hours. You can also catch traditional folk dancing at these festivals.
Some places have food stalls set up, some places have dinners planned. Many times there are certain foods that are served such as sardines and seafood.
If it is a religious festival, there will be a procession of people carrying statues of saints and flowers through the streets.
But no matter the location or the occasion, festivals in Portugal are joyful, multi-sensory experiences that display the country’s culture, hospitality, and zest for life.
So, if you are planning a trip to Portugal, check out the local calendars and see what might be happening in your town.
Here are Portugal’s most significant festivals by month:
January
- Santo Amaro Festival (January 15) – Traditional festival in Béja celebrating the saint with music and food
- São Sebastião celebrations (late January) – Various locations observe this saint’s day with processions. Our village in Serra D’El Rei celebrates every year.
- Querença Sausage Festival: Held in the village of Querença, this festival celebrates traditional Portuguese sausages with local delicacies, music, and dancing.
February
- Carnaval (February/March, varies) – Celebrated nationwide, but Torres Vedras and Loulé host the most authentic Portuguese celebrations. We have a huge celebration in Peniche.
- Fantasporto (late February) – Porto’s international film festival
- Almond Blossom Festival (late February) – In Trás-os-Montes, celebrating spring’s arrival
March
- Óbidos International Chocolate Festival – Month-long celebration combining chocolate with art
- BTL (Lisbon Travel Market) – Major tourism fair with cultural performances
April
- Freedom Day (April 25) – Nationwide celebrations marking the 1974 Carnation Revolution
- Holy Week (varies) – Processions throughout the country, especially notable in Braga
- Festa das Flores (Flower Festival) – In Madeira, celebrating spring with floral displays
May
- Queima das Fitas (early May) – University graduation festival in Coimbra with parades and concerts
- Festival of the Crosses – Barcelos decorates with floral crosses
- Serralves em Festa (late May) – 40-hour continuous arts festival in Porto
- Serra D’El Rei celebrates Nossa Senhora de Amparo
June
June is probably the most popular time for festas! Check the calendars especially if you are traveling to Lisbon or Porto.
- Santos Populares (Popular Saints Festivals) – Major highlights:
- Santo António (June 12-13) in Lisbon – Biggest street festival with sardines, music
- São João (June 23-24) in Porto – Famous for sky lanterns and hitting people with plastic hammers–one of their biggest celebrations.
- São Pedro (June 28-29) in various cities
- Rock in Rio Lisboa (even-numbered years) – Major international music festival
July
- NOS Alive – Major music festival in Lisbon
- Super Bock Super Rock – Another prominent music festival near Lisbon
- Medieval Fair of Óbidos – Month-long medieval fair—Love this one!
- Festa do Colete Encarnado (Red Waistcoat Festival) – Bull-running in Vila Franca de Xira
- Festa dos Tabuleiros (Festival of the Trays): Held every four years, this is Tomar’s most significant festival, attracting visitors worldwide. The next celebration is scheduled for July 2027. During the festival, participants parade with “tabuleiros”—trays adorned with bread and flowers—on their heads, symbolizing offerings to the Holy Spirit.
- Knights Templar Festival in Tomar
August
- Festa do Nossa Senhora da Agonia (Viana do Castelo) – One of Portugal’s largest folklore festivals
- Festival do Marisco (Seafood Festival) in Olhão, Algarve
- Festa da Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Lamego) – Religious processions and celebrations
- Nossa Senhora da Piedade Festival: Celebrated on the first Sunday in September, this religious event includes processions and ceremonies dedicated to Our Lady of Piety.
September
- Festa das Vindimas (Wine Harvest Festival) – Various locations, especially in Porto and Douro Valley
- World Music Festival – Sines hosts this celebration of global music
- São Mateus Fair (Viseu) – Month-long traditional fair with entertainment and food
October
- Feira de Outubro (October Fair) in Vila do Conde – Traditional market and cultural events
- Festival Nacional de Gastronomia (National Gastronomy Festival) in Santarém—This is definitely worth a visit. Good wine and food!
- Horror Film Festival – Vila do Conde
- Literary Festival FOLIO in Óbidos
November
- São Martinho Day (November 11) – Nationwide celebration of new wine and roasted chestnuts
- Lisbon & Sintra Film Festival
- Festival de Música Moderna (Modern Music Festival) in Braga
December
- Christmas Markets – Throughout the country
- Christmas Village (December-January) in Óbidos
- New Year’s Eve – Major celebrations in Lisbon, Porto, and Madeira (famous for its fireworks)
- Festival dos Presépios (Nativity Scene Festival) in Vila Real de Santo António
Key Tips for Festival Goers
For those of you looking to check out the festivals this year, here are some great tips.
- Book accommodations well in advance, especially for major festivals. Hotels fill up fast from June to August.
- Some festivals are free, while others require tickets
- Weather varies significantly by region and season–check and prepare!
- Many local festivals combine religious traditions with cultural celebrations
- Food and wine are central to most Portuguese festivals
More Information
If you want to find out about our adventures in Portugal and summer festivals, check out our podcast! We also did a blog post back in 2023 about our first festivals in Portugal.
If you like what you’ve read or heard, help us out by buying us a gin and tonic! Every little bit helps!
Shelley is a full time traveler, blogger and podcaster currently living in Portugal with her wife, 2 dogs and a cat. She is a former history teacher originally from Winston-Salem, NC but wanted to see what life was like abroad. Now she travels all over Portugal and Europe writing about what she sees and does and tells you all kinds of fun stories on the podcast at Wandering Works for Us.