Upcoming Holidays and Festivals in Portugal

Alfama neighborhood, Lisbon
Lisbon is home to a series of festivals every June.
  • Before planning a trip around a festival, verify the festival dates on the festival's website or with a local tourist information office. For more information about these and other events, visit the official tourism site for Portugal.
  • This list includes major festivals in major cities, plus national holidays observed throughout Portugal. Many sights and banks close down on national holidays — keep it in mind when planning your itinerary. Note that this isn't a complete list; holidays can strike without warning.
  • See upcoming holidays and festivals across Europe

2024

December:  Vila Natal, Óbidos (Christmas lights, ice rink, performances); various Christmas markets (most notably several in Lisbon)

December 1:  Restoration of Independence Day (Restauração da Independência; parade on Lisbon's Avenida da Liberdade, closures)

December 8:  Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Imaculada Conceição, closures)

December 24:  Christmas Eve (Véspera de Natal, midnight mass then feast)

December 25:  Christmas Day (Natal, closures)

December 31:  New Year's Eve (Noite de Ano Novo, fireworks, banging of pots and pans)

2025

January 1:  New Year's Day (closures)

January 6:  Epiphany (Dia de Reis; bands of carolers go from house to house)

February–March:  Carnival (a.k.a. Entrudo, particularly vibrant in Lisbon and Algarve towns, some closures on March 4 for Shrove Tuesday)

February 28–March 9:  Fantasporto International Film Festival, Porto

March 9–25 (likely):  Óbidos International Chocolate Festival

March 19:  St. Joseph's Day (Dia de São José), Santarém

April 13–20:  Holy Week (Semana Santa; religious processions, especially in Braga and Óbidos)

April 18–20:  Easter (Páscoa) weekend (Good Friday through Easter Sunday; closures)

April 25:  Liberty Day (parades, fireworks; closures)

May 1:  May Day/Labor Day (closures)

May–September (Sunday evenings):  Somersby Out Jazz, Lisbon (free outdoor concerts; includes soul, funk, hip-hop)

May 13:  Major pilgrimage to Fátima (Peregrinação de Fátima; also minor pilgrimages on the 13th of each month until October)

May 22–June 1:  Indie Lisboa International Independent Film Festival

May 23–30:  Queima das Fitas, Coimbra ("burning of the ribbons": colorful graduation processions and festivities)

Throughout June:  Festas de Lisboa, Lisbon (series of festivals with celebrations peaking on June 13)

June 7–15 (likely):  National Agriculture Festival, Santarém (dancing, bullfights, bull-running)

June 10:  Dia de Camões (Portuguese National Day; street parties and parades; closures)

June 12–13:  Dia de Santo António (St. Anthony's Day ), Lisbon (processions and dancing; closures in the city)

June 12–14:  Nos Primavera Sound, Porto (indie music festival)

June 12–22 (likely):  Festival de Sintra (classical music and opera)

June 14–22:  Arraial Pride, Lisbon (LGBT pride festivities)

June 19:  Corpus Christi (Dia de Corpo de Deus; religious processions; closures)

June 19–22:  SuncéBeat Festival, Lisbon (contemporary music festival)

June 23–24:  Festa de São João (St. John's Day festival), Porto (street parties, fireworks, all-night concert, bonfire-jumping, everyone hitting each other with small novelty hammers, regatta; festivities start ramping up several weeks prior)

June 29:  Dia de São Pedro (St. Peter's Day), Évora and Sintra (dancing, processions)

July 5–27:  AgitÁgueda, Águeda (between Coimbra and Porto; street music and other performances)

July 10–31 (likely):  Festival ao Largo, Lisbon (symphony, ballet, theater performances)

July 17–24:  Boom Festival, Idanha-a-Nova (Burning Man-like arts festival east of Coimbra)

July 31–September 7 (likely):  Feira de São Mateus, Viseu (southeast of Porto; historic fair)

August 6–9:  Sudoeste Festival, Zambujeira do Mar (rock festival)

August 7–9 (likely):  Madeira Wine Rally (scenic car race)

August 15:  Assumption Day (Assunção de Nossa Senhora; religious processions, closures)

August 20–23 (likely):  Vilar de Mouros Festival (giant rock festival near the northern Spanish border)

August 24–September 14:  Madeira Wine Festival

October 5:  Republic Day (closures)

October 5 (likely):  Lisbon Marathon

October 13:  Major pilgrimage to Fátima (Peregrinação de Fátima)

November 1:  All Saints' Day (Dia de Todos-os-Santos; closures)

December:  Vila Natal, Óbidos (Christmas lights, ice rink, performances); various Christmas markets (most notably several in Lisbon)

December 1:  Restoration of Independence Day (Restauração da Independência; parade on Lisbon's Avenida da Liberdade, closures)

December 8:  Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Imaculada Conceição, closures)

December 24:  Christmas Eve (Véspera de Natal, midnight mass then feast)

December 25:  Christmas Day (Natal, closures)

December 31:  New Year's Eve (Noite de Ano Novo, fireworks, banging of pots and pans)