Upcoming Holidays and Festivals in Portugal

Alfama neighborhood, Lisbon, Portugal — 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

2019

May 31–October 31: International Garden Festival, Ponte de Lima

June 8–November 30: Sandcity, Algarve (sand sculture showcase with live music, theater, dance and circus arts)

July 6–27: Festival ao Largo, Lisboa (symphony, ballet, theater performances)

July 6–28: AgitÁgueda, Águeda (music and performances)

July 27: Unite with Tomorrowland, Porto (electronic music festival)

August 1–3: Madeira Wine Rally

August 6–10: Sudoeste Festival, Zambujeira do Mar (rock festival)

August 8–September 15: 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 22–24: EDP Vilar de Mouros Festival

August 25–September 8: Madeira Wine Fest

September 8: Our Lady of Nazaré Festival (procession, concerts, folk dancing, bullfights, fairs)

September 13: Minor pilgrimage to Fátima

September 20–October 14: 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)

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

Mid-March (1 day): Lisbon Half Marathon

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

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)

Throughout June: Festas de Lisboa, Lisbon (series of festivals with celebrations peaking on St. Anthony's Day)

Early June (3 days): Nos Primavera Sound, Porto (indie music festival)

Early June (9 days): National Agriculture Festival, Santarém (dancing, bullfights, bull-running)

June 10: Portuguese National Day (Dia de Camões; closures)

June 11: Corpus Christi (closures)

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)

Mid-to-late June: Rock in Rio, Lisbon (outdoor rock concerts)

June 23–24: St. John's Day (Dia de São João), Porto (fireworks, dancing)

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

July 13: Minor pilgrimage to Fátima