Holidays in Portugal: from sardines and wine to chestnuts and festivals

Portugal celebrates almost all year round. In June, the air in Lisbon smells of grilled sardines, in summer music blasts along the coast, and in November cities fill with the aroma of chestnuts.

We have put together the country's main festivals so you can plan your trip around them.

Dates and programs change every year, so check the organizers' websites before buying tickets.

AIIllustrative image: AI-generated

When to go: Portugal's festivals by month

💡 In short:

• Portugal's festivals run all year round: from street parades in summer to chestnuts and young wine in autumn.
• Some events are free and take place right on the streets; tickets for concerts and historical markets are sold in advance.
• Dates and programs: 09/2026, verified on official websites (NOS Alive, Primavera Sound Porto).

Santo António: the sardine festival in Lisbon

Where: Lisbon · When: June

Saint Anthony was born in Lisbon and is considered the city's patron saint. In June, his festival turns the neighborhoods into one big fair: bands play under the string lights, and the whole center smells of grilled sardines.

By tradition, dozens of couples get married on these days, so in the parade on Avenida da Liberdade you will see people in wedding attire. The saint is believed to help in matters of the heart, and for good luck people give a small pot of basil (manjerico).

Grilled sardines appear on the stalls precisely in June, because that is when the season for catching this small fish begins.

© Kent Wang from London, United Kingdom · CC BY-SAPhoto: Kent Wang from London, United Kingdom, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

• When: June, with the main festivities in the middle of the month.
• What to try: grilled sardines, cooked right on the street.
• The catch: central Lisbon is very crowded on these days.

São João: the night of bonfires in Porto

Where: Porto · When: June

John the Baptist is considered the patron saint of Porto, and his festival overlapped with the ancient summer solstice celebration. You won't see bonfires in the city center, but in the surrounding villages people traditionally jump over the flames. That is how locals cleanse themselves of evil.

Porto also has its own pastime: hitting passersby with a squeaky toy hammer. In the past, people used a leek instead. By midnight, the festivities move to the waterfront, where fireworks light up the sky, and then you head to Aliados Square to listen to bands and DJs until dawn.

© Hugo Cadavez from Portugal · CC BYPhoto: Hugo Cadavez from Portugal, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

• When: June, with the climax at midnight.
• Where to watch: the Ribeira waterfront and Aliados Square.
• The catch: the festivities go on until dawn, so central Porto will be noisy.

Summer music festivals

In summer, Portugal turns into one big stage. Festivals take place in different corners of the country, and world-famous bands come to each one. You will hear rock, electronic music, and pop.

Primavera Sound Porto takes place in June in the city's main park, Parque da Cidade. The 2026 program is scheduled for June 11-14 (as of: 09/2026, official website).

In July, Lisbon brings NOS Alive to the Algés waterfront: three days of big stages and food courts (as of 09/2026, official website).

Super Bock Super Rock is held by the beer brand in Lisbon's Parque das Nações, while Marés Vivas takes place in Vila Nova de Gaia on the other side of the Douro.

© Schorle · CC BY-SAPhoto: Schorle, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

• When: June and July.
• How to get in: tickets are sold on the festival websites.
• The catch: the concerts are open-air, so everything depends on the weather.

Mercado Medieval de Óbidos

Where: Óbidos · When: summer

Óbidos is surrounded by a wall that is over a thousand years old. Inside, three big events take place every year: the Christmas Market, the Chocolate Market, and the Medieval Market. The Medieval Market is considered the most colorful.

Hundreds of actors in period costumes roam the streets, and you can easily run into a knight outside a bakery. Stalls with goods from local artisans are set up along the castle walls, and restaurants host dinners following medieval customs.

© Chris Amies from Birmingham, England · CC BYPhoto: Chris Amies from Birmingham, England, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

• When: summer months.
• What to see: the parade of actors and artisan stalls by the castle walls.
• The catch: on market days, the town's narrow streets fill with tourists.

Festa da agonia in Viana do Castelo

Where: Viana do Castelo · When: August

© ChristianVigo · CC BYPhoto: ChristianVigo, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

In this oceanside town in northern Portugal stands a church that pilgrims have walked to since the 17th century. Over time, that journey grew into a major celebration and one of the most vibrant in the country's north.

Here you will see a column of drummers, a procession of people with large puppet heads, and a historical parade featuring several thousand extras in Portuguese costumes.

The festival's climax: a procession of women dressed in outfits typical of Viana do Castelo, layered with numerous gold pieces of jewelry. Some participants walk in the procession with security.

• When: August.
• What to see: the parade with puppet heads and the participants' gold jewelry.
• The catch: on parade days, the city fills with visitors.

Feira de São Mateus in Viseu

Where: Viseu · When: August through September

The fair dates back to the 14th century, and over the centuries its dates and formats have changed. In recent years it has been one of the longest-running festivities in the country: in 2026, Feira de São Mateus runs from August 6 to September 6, its 634th edition (as of 09/2026, official website).

Concerts take place here every day, some of them free. The grounds include an amusement park, food courts, and a fair area where you can find everything from souvenirs to cars. The fair closes on St. Matthew's Day and ends with fireworks.

© Dnielfernandes · CC BY-SAPhoto: Dnielfernandes, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

• When: August through September.
• What to see: concerts on the main stage and the closing celebration.
• The catch: the festivities stretch over a month, with the biggest crowds at the opening and the finale.

Vindima: the harvest in the Douro

Where: wineries in the Douro region · When: late September and October

Vindima, or the grape harvest, takes place at many wineries across Portugal. The most scenic region for this celebration is the Douro: its vineyard-covered hills stretch along the river.

Pick a winery you like, there are more than a dozen in the area. At the vineyard you will be welcomed like family, told about wine production, and invited to take part in the harvest or stomp grapes in a vat. The program ends with a tasting.

© Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL · CC BY-SAPhoto: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

• When: late September and October.
• What to try: Douro region wines at the tasting.
• The catch: everything is tied to the harvest season, so the date should be chosen in advance.

Chestnut festival and young wine

Where: Marvão and other towns · When: November

Chestnuts are harvested starting in late October, and that is when smoking carts with roasted chestnuts appear on the streets. The festival itself, Magusto, is tied to St. Martin's Day.

In Portugal they say: "On St. Martin's Day, eat chestnuts and taste the wine." This refers to the young wine vinho novo or água-pé, which ripens just in time for early November.

The main festival site is in the village of Marvão near the Spanish border. The Alentejo region also hosts parties with music, dancing, and chestnut dishes. In winter, Christmas markets follow, and after them comes the spring carnival.

© Afsalgado · CC BY-SAPhoto: Afsalgado, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

• When: November.
• What to try: roasted chestnuts and young wine.
• The catch: the celebration is tied to a single day, so you need to time your trip accordingly.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When are the biggest festivals in Portugal?

The busiest months are June and July. In June, Lisbon and Porto celebrate Santos Populares with sardines and street parades, and most music festivals take place in summer. In fall, they are joined by Vindima in the Douro and the November chestnut festival. Plan your trip around a specific event and check the dates in advance.

Do I need to buy festival tickets?

Street festivals like Santo António, São João, and Feira de São Mateus are free and open to everyone. Tickets are required for music festivals and some events in Óbidos. They are sold on the organizers' official websites, so buy early for headliners.

Which city should I visit for Santo António and São João?

Santo António is celebrated in Lisbon, São João in Porto. Both festivals take place in June, and they are easy to combine into one trip: there is a train between the cities. In Lisbon, the festivities take place in the central neighborhoods; in Porto, the main events unfold along the waterfront and Aliados Square.

What is Vindima?

Vindima is the name for the grape harvest and the celebrations around it. In Portugal, they are held at wineries in the Douro, Alentejo, and other regions. You will be invited to take part in the harvest, stomp grapes in a vat, and taste young wine. The best time to go is late September and October.

What do people eat at Portuguese festivals?

At Santo António, sardines are grilled; at Vindima, young wine is tasted; and in November, chestnuts are sold on the streets. For Portuguese festivals, sweets based on egg yolks and almonds are also prepared.

In short: what to book

Portugal's festivals are easy to plan by month. For music, head to Primavera Sound Porto and NOS Alive; for a medieval atmosphere, go to Mercado Medieval de Óbidos. In fall, plan a Vindima in the Douro, and in November, try chestnuts in Marvão.

If you only have a week, pick one music week in summer.

Check dates on organizers' websites and book accommodation and tickets in advance.