Lisbon Carnival 2026

Carnival in Lisbon isn’t a single huge Rio‑style parade. It’s more a patchwork of street bands, neighbourhood parties and a few big anchor events. In 2026, the city is finally treating it as a “proper” season, with official blocos, kids’ balls and a very chunky programme in Loures just up the road.

What to expect from Lisbon carnival 2026

One of the top places to celebrate the festival in Portugal, Carnival in Lisbon has more of a street‑party energy than a choreographed stadium show. The big headline for 2026 is that the city council has authorised 17 carnival groups to parade across eight parishes.

Horacio Villalobos Getty images

Where Lisbon carnival 2026 celebrations actually happen

Carnival in 2026 is properly spread out, with eight parishes of Lisbon hosting authorised street bands and parties rather than one single parade route.

• São Vicente for Colombina Clandestina on 14 February
• Baixa / Chiado / Rossio for pre‑ and post‑parade crowds, dinner and people‑watching
• Belém for the carnival concert at CCB
• LU.CA – Luís de Camões Theatre for the three‑day family Carnival Ball
• Loures, just outside the city, for one of the region’s biggest and most traditional carnivals

Lisbon carnival 2026 dates and key events

The peak for Lisbon carnival 2026 is the week around Shrove Tuesday, with most blocos and official street bands out between 13th and 17th February. On top of that, there’s a wider programme of concerts and balls, and a full‑blown carnival season in Loures that runs earlier and finishes slightly later

Colombina Clandestina, Lisbon. Horacio Villalobos Getty images

Main Lisbon carnival 2026 parades and street parties

• Colombina Clandestina: one of the best‑known parades in the city with Brazilian roots, colourful costumes, lots of singing and dancing. Expect big crowds and a very mixed Portuguese/Brazilian/international scene.
• Central Lisbon (Baixa, Bairro Alto, Cais do Sodré): even if a parade isn’t officially starting there, the before‑and‑after drinks tend to spill into these areas. Plenty of bars host their own mini‑events with DJs and themed nights.

Lisbon carnival 2026 schedule

Here’s how a long carnival weekend in Lisbon could look, based on what’s already announced.

Lisbon carnival 2026 tickets, prices and what is free

Most of Lisbon carnival 2026 is easy on the wallet: you can follow the street bands, drift between neighbourhood parties and soak up the atmosphere without paying anything.

Lisbon. Horacio Villalobos Getty images

For paid events, the main ones confirmed so far are:

• Carnival Concert at CCB – Belém
  • When: 15 February 2026, 17:00
  • Tickets: starting from around €7, going up to roughly €24.50 for better seats
• Carnival Ball 2026 at LU.CA – Luís de Camões Theatre
  • When: 15–17 February 2026, with multiple sessions across the three days
  • Tickets: about €3 per person

Carnival in Loures 2026 – the big parade near Lisbon

If you want that “proper Portuguese carnival” experience but you’re staying in Lisbon, Carnaval de Loures'26 is the one to aim for. This year's theme isViagem no Tempo – “Journey Through Time” 

The official programme running 7th to 18th February 2026, with a pre‑carnival taster on 31st January. Main parades with 15 floats and around 2,600 costumed participants, with balls, DJ nights, youth events and a full end‑of‑carnival “burial” ceremony.

Date	Day / Phase	Time	Event	Location
31 January	Pré‑Carnaval	22:00–03:00	Stage presentations by carnival groups and DJ set by Deejay Felipe F	Pavilhão Paz e Amizade
7 February	Warm‑up	14:00	Motard ride through the parishes of Loures	Start/finish at Largo 4 de Outubro
14 February	Build‑up day	10:00	“Invasão Foliona” street event	Streets of central Loures
		15:30	“Invasão Carnavalesca”	LoureShopping
		21:30	Reception for the Kings of Carnival	Largo 4 de Outubro
		22:00–04:00	Ball to present the Kings	Pavilhão Paz e Amizade
		22:00–02:00	Free “Sábado de Carnaval Jovem” with Deejay Felipe F	Parque das Tinalhas
15 February	First big parade	14:30	Desfile Carnavalesco with 15 floats and 2,600 participants	Main streets in the centre of Loures
		18:30–21:30	“Tarde Carnavalesca” with DJ André Coelho	Main stage on Rua da República
16 February	Late‑night party	22:00–04:00	Baile Trapalhão	Pavilhão Paz e Amizade
		22:00–02:00	Free “Noite Foliona Jovem” with DJ Chimecs	Parque das Tinalhas
17 February	Second big parade	14:30	Second Desfile Carnavalesco	Main streets in the centre of Loures
18 February	End of carnival	20:00	Farewell to Rei D. Ocarário LIII	Largo 4 de Outubro
		21:30	Funeral procession for the Enterro do Carnaval de Loures 2026	Main streets of Loures
		23:00	Reading of King Momo’s testament	Parque Adão Barata
		23:40	Closing fireworks	Parque Adão Barata

Where to stay for Lisbon carnival 2026

If you’re coming in just for carnival, where you sleep will make a big difference to your sanity, especially once the blocos start rattling windows.

Lisbon. Horacio Villalobos Getty images

• Baixa / Chiado: handy for walking to most central events, easy metro and tram links, cafés and restaurants on your doorstep
• Bairro Alto: good for bars, night‑time parties, stumbling home after a big night without needing a taxi
• Cais do Sodré: nightlife, riverfront walks, Cais do Sodré station (for trains to Cascais and beyond)
• Avenida da Liberdade and nearby streets: a slightly calmer base that’s still central, metro connections, more upmarket hotels
• Parque das Nações: quieter nights, modern apartments, good for families, easy transport into central Lisbon

Check out holiday rentals in Lisbon to find your carnival base.

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