It’s November, and the growing season has ended here in Portugal. All the vegetables have been harvested, the olives shaken from the trees, and the grapes picked, stomped, and processed. So the only thing left to do is celebrate!
São Martinho Day or Saint Martin’s Day is celebrated as the last day of the harvest and the first day to try the “new wine” produced last year. Magusto marks the arrival of the chestnut harvest season, a time when the smell of roasted cantanhas fills the air and bonfires light up small villages.
Usually, there is a big party with wine and roasted chestnuts. Our village school is hosting an autumn festival with dried fruit, roasted chestnuts, and other goodies.
Who was São Martinho?
If you have listened to any of our podcasts, you would know I have a fascination with saints. The story of São Martinho is particularly interesting.
Good Martinho, or Martin of Tours, was the son of a military commander of the Roman Empire. He was traveling on horseback and came across a nearly naked beggar shivering in the cold.
Martinho took his sword and cut his cape in half, offering it to the beggar. At that moment, the sun came out and warmed him up. This was his reward for his act of kindness.
The weather improves slightly this time of year, and this is known as Saint Martin’s summer or the summer of São Martinho. As someone who does not welcome winter, I am looking forward to seeing if this is true!
Our Festa de São Martinho
Last year, I attended a neighborhood party at a local cafe. There was a small band playing music, and people were dancing, and a few men were roasting chestnuts in the street with what looked like a chimney cooker.
We were sitting inside the bar area (because it was cold), and I kept noticing one of the employees getting a plastic water container out of the cooler. The container didn’t have water in it; instead, it contained a weird, light yellowish liquid.
I finally got up the courage to ask what it was. It was a drink called água pé (translated as foot-water). After the grapes have been stomped by the feet for wine production, the leftover juice, which has been fermenting for a few days, is served as a drink. I promptly ordered one.
Some make brandy with it called Jeropiga, and some drink it as is. I think we were drinking as is.
It tasted a bit sour, but I gladly joined the locals and drank a few glasses of it. The alcohol content was not as high as the wine, so all was good. No singing and dancing with the locals, but the chestnuts were incredible!
How do we celebrate St. Martin’s Day?
São Martinho died on November 11th and therefore the dia de São Martinho is celebrated then. There are street parties and bonfires. Most of them involve roasted chestnuts and tastings of the “new wine” from the harvest.
There are already street vendors out roasting chestnuts. I highly recommend you eat them fresh off the fire. They tend to get a little mealy when overcooked.
I don’t know if our village will be having the same celebration this year, but if they do, I’ll be there!
Best Places to Experience São Martinho Day in Portugal
If you want to experience the São Martinho Festival in Portugal, here are some of the best places to go:
- Lisbon – The city’s neighborhoods host Magusto parties in parks and plazas, especially in Belém and Alfama. Look for local wine tastings and roasted chestnuts near the riverfront.
- Trás-os-Montes & Douro Region – Known for its strong wine traditions, this is one of the most authentic places to enjoy São Martinho with água pé and jeropiga.
- Beira Interior (Castelo Branco & Covilhã) – Villages here celebrate with large bonfires and traditional foods — a rural, heartfelt version of the festival.
- Porto & Northern Portugal – The Verão de São Martinho often brings mild weather, and locals gather for chestnuts, music, and the first sip of the season’s vinho novo.
- Óbidos & Caldas da Rainha – Central Portugal towns known for cozy celebrations and great food festivals, making them perfect for an autumn visit.
- Penafiel – Magusto de São Martinho
This northern town hosts one of the most traditional Magusto festivals in Portugal. Expect roasted chestnuts, jeropiga, live music, and processions — all set against a backdrop of cobbled streets and deep-rooted folklore. Penafiel’s celebrations are among the most authentic ways to feel the warmth of São Martinho spirit. - Golegã – Feira Nacional do Cavalo
For a lively blend of São Martinho and equestrian tradition, head to Golegã in early November. The fairgrounds fill with horses, riders, local wine stalls, and bonfires — it’s a cultural experience unlike anywhere else in Portugal.
Wherever you go, São Martinho Day is a reminder of generosity, warmth, and the joy of sharing food and wine as winter approaches.
Other Popular Festivals in Portugal
If you love the traditions of São Martinho Day, there are plenty of other festivals across Portugal that celebrate food, culture, and community. Make sure you check out our blog post on Festivals in Portugal as well.
- Festa de São João – Porto (June 23–24)
One of the biggest street parties in Portugal! Locals celebrate with barbecued sardines, dancing, fireworks, and the quirky tradition of hitting each other with plastic hammers. - Festa dos Tabuleiros – Tomar (every 4 years, next in 2027)
A stunning procession where women carry tall towers of bread and flowers on their heads — a symbol of abundance and faith. - Carnaval – Torres Vedras and Loulé (February/March)
Portugal’s take on Mardi Gras, with colorful parades, masks, and satirical floats. - Festa de Santo António – Lisbon (June 12–13)
Known as the “wedding saint,” Lisbon comes alive with grilled sardines, decorations, and music in the Alfama district. - Vindimas – Wine Harvest Festivals (September–October)
Throughout the Douro Valley and Alentejo, visitors can join grape-stomping and taste the year’s first wines.
These celebrations, like São Martinho, show how deeply Portugal ties its festivals to the seasons and the land.
Thanks so much for reading! Make sure you check out our podcasts for other fun stories and our blog posts for travel tips in Portugal and Europe.
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Shelley is a full-time traveler, writer, and podcaster based in Portugal, where she lives with her wife and their beloved bulldog, Scoot. Originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Shelley is a former history teacher who swapped the classroom for cobblestone streets and passport stamps. These days, she explores Portugal and Europe in search of fascinating stories, unforgettable sights, and local flavor—then shares it all through her blog and podcast, Wandering Works for Us, where curiosity meets adventure (and sometimes wine).