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Monthly List Of Events In Portugal Not To Miss In 2017

Events Not To Miss in Portugal in 2017. Link in the blog post.

This is quite an extensive list of events throughout the year in Portugal. But it’s great because you’ll know what’s happening all the time. You can either organize your vacation to include some of these celebrations or just visit them if you have already booked your trip.

February

Vilamoura Atlantic Tour, Vilamoura, Algarve

If you love horses, warm weather and few tourist, this is your event. Get to know the coast Algarve the way you haven’t seen it yet.

Start February 14th

End April 2nd

Official website http://www.vilamouratour.com/event/vilamoura-atlantic-tour-2017/

March

Azores Airlines Rallye

Love car racing? This rally has existed for 50 years on the beautiful Azoren island of São Miguel. It kind of follows a tourist itinerary, passing at some of the highlights of the island.

Start March 30th

End April 1st

Official website http://www.azoresrallye.com/

International Chocolate Festival, Óbidos

You can’t miss this event if you are a chocolate addict like me. The streets of this medieval town fill in with chocolate sculptures, bonbons, cakes and other goodness. You can participate in workshops or watch competitions to determine the best chocolatier. For the kids, there’s a special “Chocolate house for children”.

Start March 10th

End April 2nd

Official website http://festivalchocolate.cm-obidos.pt/

April

Peixe em Lisboa – Lisbon Fish and Flavours

This is an iconic event of the city and 2017 marks its 10th edition. You’ll have the opportunity to try dishes from some of the most renown Lisbon and international chefs. There’s also a market area, with the exhibition and sale of food products, wines, beverages, cooking equipment and so on.

Stat March 30th

End April 9th

Official website http://www.peixemlisboa.com/en/

Walking Festival Ameixial

This walking festival in Algarve attracts participants from all over the world. It’s one of the major of its kind. The festival expands to Salir, Querença, Alportel, Monchique and has more than  40 different walks.

There are a also workshops, expositions, group dances, gourmet markets at the festival. Its main goal is to attract attention to sustainability and climate change and make us think of our impact on nature.

Start April 28th

End May 1st

Official website http://wfameixial.qrer.pt/wp/

Sines Tall Ships Festival

This regatta of tall ships, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada, represents the adventure of a lifetime and travels 7,000 nautical miles transatlantic visiting seven countries. The race starts in the United Kingdom and passes through France, Portugal (Sines), Spain, Bermuda, United States to finish in Canada.

Located at a strategic point of the Atlantic front, the city of Sines has always been linked to the sea routes and receives this regatta yearly with four days of activities that include visits to the boats, parades of the crew, concerts, fireworks and many other initiatives. Free entrance.

Start April 28th

End May 1st

Official website http://www.aporvela.pt/sinesrdv2017/?lang=en

FIESA – International Festival of Sand Sculptures, Pera, Algarve

This exposition of sand sculptures is unique on the Iberian Peninsula and occupies 15 000 m2, which also makes it the biggest in the world of its kind. 35 000 kg of sand are needed to build all the sculptures. Artists from all over the world are responsible for this beauty. In the night, there are various events such as concerts, theaters, workshops, etc.

Start April 1st

End October 31st

Official website http://www.fiesa.org/

May

Festa da Flor – Celebration of the Flower, Madeira

Spring is a queen, who has a flower crown, according to the locals. To celebrate her comeback, every year after Easter, they throw her a party – Festa da Flor. With its subtropical climate Madeira has a lot of flower varieties to offer. This mind blowing colourful festival is a must see.

Start May 4th

End May 21st

Official website http://festadaflor.visitmadeira.pt/index.php?lang=en

Algarve Nature Week

Nature seems to be everything for the Portuguese. This festival aims to make you feel a deep connection with it. Activities include hiking, bird and whale watching, boating, biking, horse riding, donkey riding, etc. . There are over 90 outdoor activities and several accommodations, some of which are in rural areas. All at friendly prices so you can enjoy (almost) all activities.

Start May 5th

End October 14th

Official website http://www.algarvenatureweek.pt/en/

June

This month has so many festivities all over Portugal. I’ve chosen 5 of the best for you.

Festas de Santo António, Lisboa

The streets smell of sardines, all restaurants open their esplanades to welcome the hungry. The old city is decorated with colorful garlands to celebrate the coming of the Summer. The best neighborhoods to join the feast are Mouraria, Graça, Alfama, Bairro Alto and Madragoa.

The main celebration is on the 12th of June – there’s a parade on the Avenida da Liberdade. But any night in June will make you feel the amazing vibe of this unique event.

Start June 1st

End June 30th

Official website http://festasdelisboa.com/sardinhas17/?lang=e

Festas de São João, Porto

This is Porto’s alternative of the above celebrations. Music, dance, tapas and fireworks mark the feasts of St. John, with pagan origin, linked to the celebration of the summer solstice. The biggest celebration is on June 23rd, but like in Lisbon, you can enjoy them during the whole month of June

Start June 1st

End June 30th

More info http://www.the-yeatman-hotel.com/en/porto/sao-joao/

Sanjoaninas, Terceira, Azores

This is one of the most grandiose feasts on the Azores Island. The Sanjoaninas date back to the 16th century but have always played a prominent role in Azorean culture. They begin with the procession of opening and parade of the queen, and continue for several days with cultural, recreational, ethnographic and sport activities. One of the highlights of the feast is bullfights. But if you’re not a fan, like me, you might want to miss this one.

Start June 22nd

End July 2nd

Official website http://www.sanjoaninas.pt/

NOS Primavera Sound, Porto

This music festival features singers, musicians, bands and DJs from all over the globe. A world class event not to miss.

Start June 8th

End July 10th

Official website http://www.nosprimaverasound.com/

Sumol Summer Festival, Ericeira

Another world class music festival. This year Sean Paul confirmed his participation.

Start June 30th

End July 1st

Official website http://www.sumolsummerfest.com/

July

It offers numerous music and entertainment events. I managed to choose 6 of the most renown for you.

The Three most famous music festivals with world class singers, musicians and DJs are

RFM SOMNII, Figueira da Foz

Start July 7th

End July 9th

More info https://www.facebook.com/OMaiorSunsetdeSempre

Super Bock Super Rock, Lisbon.

Red Hot Chilly Peppers and Deftones have confirmed participation this year.

Start July 13th

End July 15th

Official Website http://www.superbocksuperrock.pt/pt/pt/#hero

MEO Marés Vivas, Vila Nova de Gaia

Start July 14th

End July 16th

Official Website http://maresvivas.meo.pt/

Festival Internacional de Jazz de Loulé – International Jazz Festival of Loué

This festival has been on the scene of Loulé since 1995 and brings world renown jazz names.

Dates to be announced yet

AgitÁgueda, Águeda

This event, held in the city center by the river, gained worldwide fame for the originality of the Umbrella Sky Project in which more than 3000 colorful umbrellas covered four of its main streets in a creation of great visual impact. In addition to this and other facilities that make urban art its distinctive feature, AgitAgueda’s program includes shows, concerts and many surprising initiatives that make it a unique event

Start July 1st

End July 23rd

Official Website https://www.agitagueda.com/en/

Red Bull Cliff Diving, São Miguel, Azores

This is a spectacular event that you should attend if you’re a fan of extreme sports. The jumps are made from a height around 27 meters and athletes can reach a speed of 85 kilometers per hour. Amazing.

Date July 9th

Official Website http://cliffdiving.redbull.com/en_PT/event/azores-2017

August

MEO Sudoeste, Zambujeira do Mar

One more of Portugal’s best music festivals including pop and electronic style. Lil Wayne, Mark Garrix and Dua Lipa just are some of the names confirmed.

Start August 1st

End August 5th

Official Website http://sudoeste.meo.pt/en

Jazz em Agosto, Lisbon

An open air jazz festival in Lisbon that takes place at Gulbenkian foundation. Worth the visit if you’re in Lisbon during the event.

Start July 26st

End August 6th

Official Website https://gulbenkian.pt/musica/en/

September

Festa do Vinho Madeira, Wine Festival Madeira

The wine grape harvest is always a good reason to visit Madeira. In the city of Funchal, the allegorical spectacles of light, sound and music are a part of the highlights of the celebrations that extend to other places of the island, too.

Start August 27th

End September 10th

More info at http://www.visitmadeira.pt/en-gb/homepage

October

Festival Nacional de Gastronomia, National Festival of Gastronomy, Santarem

For foodies, this cannot be missed. Aromatic herbs, spices, cheeses, fresh fish and traditional Portuguese sweets are some of the delicacies you will find here.

Start October 19th

End October 29th

Official Website http://www.festivalnacionaldegastronomia.pt/

November

Capítulo Perfeito Surf Competition

During October and November the best names of surf gather in Nazaré to compete in the best waves in the world.

Start October 5th

End November 15th

Official Website http://capituloperfeito.com/?lang=en

December

End of the Year in Madeira

This is said to be the most spectacular celebration of year’s end in Portugal.

Date 31st of December

More info at http://www.visitmadeira.pt/en-gb/homepage
Do you need help with organizing your trip so that it includes any of these events? Then let me help you – check out my Portugal travel planning service here to know more.

Sources and notes: This list is updated regularly, but please check the official websites in case of changes. The source of these events is VitsitPortugal.com and the official websites of the events.  

Hi, I’m Alexandra. I’m a travel designer based in Lisbon, Portugal. I create seamless itineraries, based on my first-hand experience and local experts’ knowledge, to curated destinations. Save time, money and your sanity. Leave the worries to me. You can choose from ready to use itineraries or hire me to create a personalized journey for you. Contact me at alexandra@hortensetravel.com

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