Upcoming Holidays and Festivals in Portugal
- 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
2019
December: Vila Natal, Óbidos (Christmas lights, ice rink, performances)
December 1: Restoration of Independence Day (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)
2020
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 5 for Shrove Tuesday)
February 25–March 8: Fantasporto International Film Festival, Porto
March 19: St. Joseph's Day (Dia de São José), Santarém
March 22: Lisbon Half Marathon
April 2–12 (likely): Lisbon Fish & Flavors (a.k.a. Peixe em Lisboa, gourmet seafood festival)
April 5–11: Holy Week (Semana Santa, religious processions, especially in Óbidos and Porto)
April 10–April 13: Easter weekend (Good Friday through Easter Sunday; closures)
April 23–May 3 (likely): Óbidos International Chocolate Festival
April 25: Liberty Day (parades, fireworks; closures)
April 30–May 10 (likely): Indie Lisboa International Independent Film Festival
May–September (weekends): Out Jazz Festival (free outdoor concerts; includes soul, funk, hip-hop), Lisbon
May 1: May Day/Labor Day (closures)
Early May: Queima das Fitas, Coimbra ("burning of the ribbons": graduation festivities)
May 13: Major pilgrimage to Fátima (Peregrinação de Fátima)
June–October (likely): International Garden Festival, Ponte de Lima
Throughout June: Festas de Lisboa, Lisbon (series of festivals with celebrations peaking on St. Anthony's Day)
June 6–14 (likely): National Agriculture Festival, Santarém (dancing, bullfights, bull-running)
June 6–November 6 (likely): Sandcity, Algarve (sand sculture showcase with live music, theater, dance and circus arts)
June 10: Portuguese National Day (Dia de Camões; closures)
June 11: Corpus Christi (closures)
June 11–13: Nos Primavera Sound, Porto (indie music festival)
June 12–13: St. Anthony's Day (Dia de Santo António), Lisbon (processions and dancing)
June 13: Minor pilgrimage to Fátima
June 20 (likely): Arraial Pride, Lisbon (LGBT pride festivities)
June 23–24: St. John's Day (Dia de São João), Porto (fireworks, dancing)
June 23–24 & 29–30: Rock in Rio, Lisbon (outdoor rock concerts)
June 29: St. Peter's Day (Dia de São Pedro), Évora (dancing, processions)
July 4–25 (likely): Festival ao Largo, Lisboa (symphony, ballet, theater performances)
July 4–26: AgitÁgueda, Águeda (music and performances)
July 13: Minor pilgrimage to Fátima
July 25 (likely): Unite with Tomorrowland, Porto (electronic music festival)
July 28–August 4: Boom Festival, Idanha-a-Nova (Burning Man-like arts festival)
August 4–8: Sudoeste Festival, Zambujeira do Mar (rock festival)
August 6–8 (likely): Madeira Wine Rally
August 6–September 13: Feira de São Mateus, Viseu
August 13: Minor pilgrimage to Fátima
August 15: Assumption Day (religious festival; closures)
August 19: Minor pilgrimage to Fátima
August 27–29: EDP Vilar de Mouros Festival
August 30–September 13: Madeira Wine Fest
September 8: Our Lady of Nazaré Festival (procession, concerts, folk dancing, bullfights, fairs)
September 13: Minor pilgrimage to Fátima
September 18–October 12 (likely): Festival de Sintra (classical music and opera)
October 5: Republic Day (closures)
October 13: Major pilgrimage to Fátima (Peregrinação de Fátima)
November 1: All Saints' Day (closures)
December: Vila Natal, Óbidos (Christmas lights, ice rink, performances)
December 1: Restoration of Independence Day (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)