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.
Top music festivals in Portugal in September 2025
Don't pack away your festival gear just because August is over, as September in Portugal still has plenty of music on the cards. The country offers a real mix of music festivals, with large-scale festivals drawing crowds down in the Algarve and some more alternative offerings popping up around the Lisbon area.
Lisbon's essential September music festival
For something a little different in the Greater Lisbon area, OperaFest Lisboa runs until 16th September 2025. The theme for 2025 is "forbidden love", with highlights including Verdi’s “La Traviata” and Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas”. It’s a great way to experience classical music in a more relaxed, open-air atmosphere.
Major music events in the Algarve
The big one to know about in the south is Festival F. Scheduled for 4th-7th September 2025, this festival takes over the historic centre of Faro with several stages set up in the old town. It’s known for showcasing big names in Portuguese music, but it’s more than just a concert. The event also features cinema, stand-up comedy, art exhibitions, street entertainment, and numerous food stalls.
Northern Portugal's festival highlights
September tends to be a bit quieter in the north for major music festivals, as the season's biggest events like Paredes de Coura take place in August. The focus in this region shifts more towards the traditional wine harvests, especially in the Douro Valley. However, Viseu puts on its Feira de São Mateus until 21st September, with concerts by Gipsy Kings, Bispo, João Só and more.
Traditional Portuguese festivals and cultural events in September
While the big city street parties of June's Portugal's summer festivals are over, September has its own things going on. The focus shifts from massive street parties to events rooted in the seasons and local heritage. This is the time for celebrating the harvest, especially the all-important grape harvest, alongside historic fairs and religious traditions that have been around for centuries.
Harvest and wine festivals ('vindimas')
September is the heart of the vindima, or grape harvest, and it’s a huge deal in Portugal’s wine regions. One of the most notable events is the Vindouro – Festa Pombalina in São João da Pesqueira in the Douro Valley. Taking place from 4th to 7th September 2025, it combines wine with history, celebrating the region's winemaking traditions. You can expect wine tastings with over 100 producers, historical parades, concerts and local markets, all set in one of Portugal's oldest towns.
Historical fairs and religious celebrations ('feiras' and 'romarias')
Away from the vineyards, many towns host their traditional feiras (fairs) and romarias (religious festivals). In the Alentejo town of Elvas, for example, São Mateus takes place in late September, and features religious processions, street food, live music and regional food.
Meanwhile, in Lisbon, the Alfama district fills with the sound of fado for the Santa Casa Alfama festival on the 29th and 30th of September. Famous fado singers and up-and-coming artists perform in the squares and streets of this historic neighbourhood. It's less of a religious festival and more of a cultural pilgrimage for lovers of live fado shows.
Other September 2025 events across Portugal
Beyond the main stages and vineyards, you'll find a whole host of other events that give you a great snapshot of local life and culture.
Food festivals and culinary events
A brilliant local event to check out is the Feira da Luz in Carnide, a neighbourhood in Lisbon. It's one of the oldest fairs in the country, running from the end of August right through September. It's a proper traditional fair with amusement rides and stalls, but the real highlight is the Portuguese food. The air is thick with the smell of sizzling chouriço and sweet, giant coiled doughnuts called farturas.
Film, arts and local craft fairs
For a bit of a culture fix of a different kind, Lisbon hosts MOTELX – Lisbon International Horror Film Festival. It takes place from 9th to 15th September and is a must for any horror film fan. The festival showcases new international films, celebrates classics, and gives a platform to Portuguese horror cinema.
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