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Spring Holiday Edition
25
items Spring in Portugal is full of colourful festivals, unique traditions, and lively celebrations. From Easter processions to local spring fairs and music festivals, I’ll be sharing some of the best events happening across the country this season!
Carnaval de Torres Vedras is one of Portugal’s most famous and lively carnival celebrations, known for its satirical parades, creative costumes, and nonstop party atmosphere. With a strong focus on tradition, humor, and local culture, it’s an unforge...
Carnaval de Torres Vedras
Colombina Clandestina is a lively street carnival in Lisbon, organized by a diverse collective of artists and activists. Known for its colourful parades, music, and dance, it celebrates inclusivity and cultural diversity, bringing communities togethe...
Colombina Clandestina
Carnaval de Ovar is one of Portugal’s most vibrant celebrations. It features parades, samba performances, and dazzling costumes. Known for its energy and creativity, it’s a must-visit for anyone looking to experience an authentic Portuguese carnival.
Carnaval De Ovar
Madeira’s Carnaval is a lively mix of samba parades, dazzling costumes, and street parties, bringing Rio-style energy to the island. With its vibrant atmosphere and stunning floats, it’s one of Portugal’s most exciting carnival events!
Madeira Carnival 2025 Programme
Loulé’s Carnaval is a colorful and energetic celebration, featuring parades, samba dancers, and satirical floats. As the oldest carnival in the Algarve, it’s a must-see event full of music, tradition, and festive spirit.
Loulé Carnival - 2025 Complete Guide - Algarve Travel Tips
The Rip Curl Pro Portugal is a major stop on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, bringing the world’s best surfers to Supertubos Beach in Peniche. Known for its powerful waves and epic barrels, it’s a must-see event for surf fans and ocean...
Rip Curl Pro Portugal in Peniche
Held in honor of Saint Joseph, the Festas de São José in Santarém feature parades, concerts, traditional food, and bullfighting events. As one of the region’s most important festivals, it marks the unofficial start of spring in Portugal with lively c...
Festas de São José in Santarém
Talha à Mesa is a unique festival in Vidigueira dedicated to Portugal’s ancient amphora winemaking tradition. With wine tastings, local cuisine, and cultural events, it’s a must-visit for wine lovers looking to experience authentic Alentejo flavors a...
Talha à Mesa | March 22nd to 23th - Adega Vidigueira
The Feira de São Gregório is a traditional fair in Torres Novas, featuring local crafts, food stalls, concerts, and equestrian events. With deep cultural and historical roots, it’s a great way to experience regional traditions and lively festivities.
Feira de São Gregório in Torres Novas
The Óbidos Chocolate Festival transforms this medieval town into a chocolate lover’s paradise, featuring sculptures, tastings, workshops, and creative desserts. Whether you’re a chocoholic or just curious, this festival is a must-visit for a deliciou...
International Chocolate Festival, Óbidos - 2025
Pura Sede is Portugal's dedicated natural wine fair, bringing together producers and enthusiasts to celebrate wines made with minimal intervention. The event offers tastings, discussions, and a chance to meet winemakers committed to natural viticultu...
Pura Sede
Sónar is all about music, innovation, and creativity. You can buy tickets for Sónar by Day and Sónar by Night, and the festival’s lineup is impressive! T
Sónar Lisboa
Of course, Easter falls in April and is a national holiday in Portugal. You might expect some closures on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday. Many monuments are closed or have different opening times, so it’s important to check this upfron...
Easter in Portugal: Traditions, Celebrations, and Festivities
One of the most important events is April 25th. The Carnation Revolution happened on April 25th 1974 (25 de Abril), and it celebrates the bloodless military coup against the Estado Novo regime. In 2024, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of democracy...
Carnation Revolution
Workers Day is a public holiday in Portugal, celebrated annually on May 1st. Portuguese trade unions usually hold parades and demonstrations.
Why is May 1st a holiday in Portugal?
May 18th is International Museum Day in Lisbon. This means museums will open late at night, and you can enjoy dance performances, guided tours and music. Read more.
International Museum Day: Our Suggestions In Lisbon
ARCOlisboa is the contemporary art fair, which occurs this year from May 29th until June 1st. Collectors, Gallery owners, and artists come together at this event, which takes place in several galleries in the city.
ARCO LISBOA | Contemporary Art Fair in Lisbon - IFEMA
Electronic music lovers will love Moga Festival Caparica, which starts on May 28th and ends on June 1st. The festival is at Praia do CDS in Costa da Caparica, which is easy to reach.
MOGA Caparica - Moga Festival
If you are in Cascais in May, you can enjoy the amazing COALA Festival, and the festival celebrates the Portuguese language, music, culture and diversity.
COALA FESTIVAL
Peregrinação de Fátima is on May 13th eayh year. There are also minor pilgrimages on the 13th of each month until October)
13 May - pilgrimage to Fátima, Portugal
Queima das Fitas is a lively academic festival held in cities like Coimbra and Porto, celebrating university students with parades, concerts, and traditional ceremonies. Marking the end of the academic year, it’s a unique mix of tradition, music, and...
Burning of the Ribbons - Celebrate Coimbra's Historic Tradition
The Contraband Festival in the Algarve brings history to life with street performances, markets, and reenactments inspired by the region’s smuggling past. Held in Alcoutim and Sanlúcar de Guadiana, it’s a unique cultural event where visitors can even...
Smuggling Festival – Turismo da Fronteira
Festa das Cruzes is Barcelos’ biggest festival, known for its flower carpets, lively processions, and traditional folklore performances. Held in early May, it marks the start of Portugal’s pilgrimage season, blending religious devotion with vibrant c...
Festa das Cruzes - Município de Barcelos
Held in Estremoz, Feira de São Marcos is a historic fair featuring livestock shows, local crafts, regional food, and live music. It’s a great way to experience Alentejo’s rural traditions and lively festival atmosphere.
Feira de São Marcos
Held in Funchal, the Madeira Flower Festival is a vibrant celebration of spring, featuring elaborate flower carpets, parades, and traditional performances. The highlight is the Flower Parade, where floats covered in blossoms fill the streets, making ...
Madeira Flower Festival