Lisbon – the beautiful Portuguese capital, famous for its beautiful sites, luxury accommodation options and an interesting range of things to do, offers visitors a full calendar of interesting festivals and popular events all year-round that highlight its unique, awe-inspiring history, culture and religion. Jazz festivities, music and dance, expos and fashion shows, marathons, tournaments and competitions, UEFA champions’ league soccer events and much more are what make Lisbon a captivating party city.
The following is the list of most famous festivities in Lisbon:
- Festival of the Sea is held each year, in July/August by the Association in Cascais. The festival features regional culinary specialties, crafts, musical entertainment, wonderful parades, photography competitions and kids’ activities, like introductory sailing courses, a beach library, and boat constructions workshops. The atmosphere becomes more eclectic with the added help of local wines and brews.
- International Lisbon Tango Festival is a majestic event that aims to connect the two ports, two sea cities of Lisbon and Buenos Aires for the 9th year. One of the main European festivals FTL presents a magnificent set of artists, A Buenos Aires Tango orchestra and 12 world-renowned maestros (including Sebastian Arce & Marina Montes; Adrian Veredice & Alejandra HobertJuan Capriottu & Graciana Romeo and other) and wondrous milongas.
- Winter Festival of Art and Culture (6-31 January) is a fine event with fantastic lights and decorations, firework displays, concerts and performances that entertains locals and visitors alike.
- Carnaval is a more important event celebrated in February (dates may vary according to Easter), with music and dancing, street performances by strange giant ‘dolls’ and lots of beautiful costumes and floats. The streets are also filled with food and families. ‘Entrudo’ is the climax of the festival taking place on the final day with street theatre and parades centered in the Parque Nacoes. If you around the area, do not miss out this great event.
- BaixAnima Street Festival is another reason for locals to party in Lisbon. Taking place over the weekends from July through September this is a free-for-all fascinating open-air entertainment with sports, music, theatre productions, dances and other activities. The festival is organized by the city council with an aim to bring the historical quarter of Lisbon back to live.
- Santo António (June 12-13) a religious celebration for the whole city with a huge parade in the Alfama district and on the Avenida da Liberdade. During the festival Fado – the music of the language and the soul of Portugal can be heard throughout the city accompanied with singing and dancing. Grilled sardines are eaten in large quantities and it’s a tradition to offer a small pot of basil to loved ones.
- São Pedro (June 29) is another famous summer festival that consists of street celebrations. People eat, sing and dance followed by a boast procession sailing along the Tagus River.
- Festival de Música de Sintra (June & July) combines classical music recitals, concerts and ballet performed by Portuguese and international performers and takes place at various locations in Sintra, including the Palacio Nacional.
- Lisbon Village Festival is a digital film festival that takes place between June 4th and 12th in three areas: Village International D-cinema (includes competitions for short and fiction movies in digital), the Art village with several exhibitions focusing on new media and the Village Music, which features a range of DJs and VJs.
- Jazz em Agosto – held annually in early August, this is a famous jazz festival in the gardens of the Gulbenkian Center in Lisbon.
- Pilgrimage to Fátima is an annual event held in May 12-13 in Fatima, located 62 miles north of Lisbon that attracts participants from around the world.
Lisbon festivals are world-famous and are also popular among tourists, so before planning a vacation in Lisbon see the full list of festivals to make your holidays more enjoyable and memorable! Also if you are looking for cheap hotels check online via different booking sites to find the cheapest deals. Lisbon hotels can be available at discounted prices during low season but make sure to book your room some long time ahead of high season.
