June is without a doubt the prime month for popular festivities in Portugal. It marks the height of celebration and a festive spirit that spreads across the country – from major cities to the smallest villages. The streets come alive with vibrant colours, music and mouth-watering aromas, creating a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that draws in both locals and visitors. These are our top picks of 7 unmissable festivals and pilgrimages in Portugal in June 2025.
Santos Populares
The Santos Populares (Popular Saints) are among the most iconic celebrations in Portuguese culture, held throughout the month of June in honour of three Catholic saints: Saint Anthony, Saint John and Saint Peter. These festivities blend religious tradition with popular celebration, including street parties (arraiais), music, dancing and typical Portuguese food.
Saint Anthony (Santo António) is celebrated on 13 June, particularly in Lisbon, where he is known as the “Matchmaking Saint”. The city hosts the famous Marchas Populares (popular parades) and the Santo António Weddings. Saint John (São João) is honoured on 24 June, with the city of Porto standing out for its joyful celebrations featuring plastic hammers, leeks, bonfires, and fireworks over the Douro River. Finally, Saint Peter (São Pedro) is commemorated on 29 June in various towns including Sintra and Évora, with processions and lively street festivals.
Sintra Festival
The Sintra Festival 2025 will take place from 12 to 22 June, marking its 59th edition with a programme that celebrates the harmony between nature, heritage and music. Concerts are held in prestigious venues across Sintra, such as the National Palace of Queluz, the National Palace of Sintra, the Monserrate Palace, the Church of Santa Maria, and the Olga Cadaval Cultural Centre.
This edition welcomes world-renowned artists including Christian Zacharias, William Christie with Les Arts Florissants, Maria João Pires and many more.
Atlantic Festival, Madeira
The Atlantic Festival is one of the most spectacular and eagerly awaited events in Madeira, celebrating the start of summer with a vibrant mix of music, art and fireworks. Held annually since 2002, the 2025 edition runs from 6 to 29 June, transforming Funchal and other parts of the island into a stage for creativity and celebration. A highlight of the festival is the Madeira International Fireworks Competition, featuring pyromusical shows every Saturday night. Fireworks companies from various countries compete for the Atlantic Trophy, awarded by a jury, and the Madeira Tão Tua Trophy, chosen by public vote.
In addition to the fireworks displays, the festival features a range of cultural events, including the Regional Arts Week, circus shows, live music summer sunsets and food stalls. Most activities are free and open to the public, though some specific events – such as dinner shows at the Madeira Casino – require booking and a paid ticket.
Machico’s 16th Century Market, Madeira
The 16th Century Market in Machico is an annual event that recreates the atmosphere of the 1500s, celebrating the history and culture of Madeira’s first captaincy. The 18th edition will take place from 6 to 8 June 2025 in Machico’s historic centre, with the theme “Crafts: Knowledge in Our Hands”, honouring traditional trades and artisanal skills. The event brings together over 700 participants, including 14 local schools and various institutions, offering a packed programme of music, theatre, dance, falconry, equestrian tournaments and historical parades.
Entry to the 16th Century Market is free, although some performances or activities may require a ticket. The event is organised by Machico Town Council in partnership with the Machico Basic and Secondary School, and supported by several regional entities.
MEO Kalorama Festival
MEO Kalorama is an annual music festival held at Parque da Bela Vista in Lisbon since 2022. Its first edition attracted over 112,000 attendees, and the second welcomed more than 105,000 people. In 2025, the festival returns for its fourth edition, taking place slightly earlier than usual on 19, 20 and 21 June.
The 2025 line-up features an impressive array of artists, including Pet Shop Boys, FKA twigs, Damiano David, Jorja Smith, Azealia Banks, Father John Misty, The Flaming Lips, L’Impératrice, Róisín Murphy, Scissor Sisters, BADBADNOTGOOD, among others.
Tickets are priced at €105 for a full 3-day pass, while single-day tickets are available for €55.
Olhão City Festival
The Olhão City Festival is an annual celebration commemorating the popular uprising of 16 June 1808 against the French occupation – a historic event that led to Olhão being granted the title “Vila de Olhão da Restauração”. In 2025, the festivities will take place from 14 to 16 June at Jardim Pescador Olhanense, by the Ria Formosa, offering three evenings of community spirit, culture and entertainment.
Organised by Olhão City Council and the municipal company Fesnima, the event is free to attend and features performances by national artists, street entertainment, local gastronomy and activities for all ages.
Grande Arraial de Belém
The Grande Arraial de Belém is one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the Festas de Lisboa, taking place from 30 May to 15 June at Parque dos Moinhos de Santana in Belém. With free entry, the event offers a varied programme that includes live concerts, DJ sets, karaoke, fairground rides, inflatables and family-friendly activities. The arraial opens from 5pm on weekdays, and from 3pm on weekends and public holidays.
The 2025 edition features an unmissable musical line-up, with performances from:
- Deixa Rolá – 30 May
- Tio Jel – 31 May
- Toy – 4 June
- Sék Mintendes – 7 June
- 8 June – a special night dedicated to Brazilian Festas Juninas
- 12 June – a lively evening with Tudo ao Molho, Quimbé e Rubim, Hot Crazy Boy and the Party Animals
Best Portugal wine festivals: grape stomps and street parties
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Portugal’s most beautiful pools: from vineyard retreats to coastal resorts
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September festivals in Portugal 2025: music, wine harvests & local fairs
September in Portugal marks a gentle shift from the peak summer season, offering a more relaxed experience. As the holiday crowds thin out and the intense heat of August subsides, you'll find a more laid-back pace, especially in popular coastal areas. The month’s calendar sits in a sweet spot, combining the last of the big open-air music festivals with the beginning of the traditional vindimas, or wine harvest celebrations.
Living in Costa da Caparica: Lisbon’s laid-back surf town
Just a short drive across the 25 de Abril Bridge from Lisbon lies Costa da Caparica, a coastal city with a distinct, relaxed identity. Its character is shaped by a seemingly endless coastline of sandy beaches that attract surfers and Lisboetas looking for a break from the city.
Wages in Portugal 2025: average salary, minimum pay and a good income
The average gross monthly salary per employee in Portugal increased in the second quarter of 2025, according to the Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE). A report released on 14th August, which covers 4.8 million jobs, provides a detailed picture of the nation's wage landscape, revealing significant variations across different sectors of the economy.
Portugal airport strikes from September to January 2026
Just days after strikes planned for August were cancelled, a new wave of industrial action is set to disrupt travel across Portugal from September 2025 to January 2026. The stoppages are planned to occur in alternating periods targeting critical travel windows such as long weekends, Christmas, and New Year.
