Portuguese festivals

When is Valentine's Day in Portugal? Valentine’s Day is celebrated worldwide on 14th February, and Portugal is no exception. Known locally as Dia de São Valentim or Dia dos Namorados, this day of love combines centuries of history with modern romantic traditions.

With Valentine’s Day coming up, holidays in Portugal for couples tend to move higher up the wish list, and it’s easy to see why.

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.

Carnival in Portugal is one of those times of year when the country drops its guard a bit.

Carnival in Portugal 2026 promises a vibrant celebration full of colour, music, and festive traditions.

National holidays are only half the story in Portugal. The real curveballs for work, school and travel plans are often the regional and municipal holidays – the days when one city is completely shut while the next town over is business as usual.

Portugal has a knack for turning public holidays into proper occasions, with everything from quiet family lunches to all‑night street parties.

The 1st of December is a national public holiday in Portugal, officially called Restoration of Independence Day.

If you’re weighing up the best place to spend New Year’s Eve in Portugal, picture Passagem de Ano as sociable and outdoorsy: twelve raisins at midnight (doze passas), a toast with espumante, and a slice of bolo‑rei the next day.

Getting to grips with Portuguese wine is a fantastic way to understand the country itself. And while many people first think of Port from the terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley, that’s only scratching the surface.

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.

Lisbon is shaping up to be the place to be, as EuroPride 2025 rolls into town and promises a proper celebration of LGBTQIA+ life and community.

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.

When summer rolls around and the jacarandas are blooming, Portugal gets ready to mark one of its most treasured occasions.

There’s something about June by the Portuguese seaside that feels a bit magical—late sunsets, salt air, and the sound of neighbours setting up tables right out on the street.

As June winds down, Porto shakes off its regular rhythm and transforms into a bustling city of light and laughter for Festa de São João, or St. John Festival.

June in Portugal is when the country lets its hair down. Streets fill with bunting, music drifts out of every window, and the smoky smell of grilled sardines hangs in the air long after sunset.

Lisbon enjoys its moment in the sun every June as the streets fill with colour, music and the unmistakable scent of grilled sardines. Forming part of Portugal's 'Santos Populares' festivities, Festa de Santo António —or Saint Anthony Festival is Lisbon's biggest festival.

Portugal offers an eclectic mix of music festivals, making it a great summer destination for music fans with some of Europe's major festivals. You'll find festivals celebrating genres like rock, jazz, world music, and afrobeats.

As Easter approaches once more, it brings forth a delightful season in Portugal where families come together to feast and rejoice.

Although February is considered a winter month, it’s an ideal time for more affordable travel, allowing you to explore cities and natural landscapes without the intense summer heat or large crowds of tourists.Moreover, February is the month when Valentine’s Day is celebrated, making Portugal a perfe

When did Carnival begin in Portugal? There are several theories on the origin of Carnival, but this one remains unknown.

The best holiday of the year is here, the one where thousands of people take to the streets in extravagant costumes ready to samba, sing and party the night away.

From the 30th of May to the 2nd of June, all rally lovers can enjoy the world-renowned 2019 WRC Rally de Portugal.

May brings big celebrations and amongst them is the Queima das Fitas or Burning of the Ribbons in Coimbra.