Latest news and stories about traditions in Portugal for expats and residents.
An analytical overview of the various types of public, municipal, and religious holidays in Portugal, framed by the context of traditional June festivities.
Does the controversy generated make sense? Isn't it a storm in a teacup? Who does this outcry serve?
If part of the right wants to imitate the moralistic left, that is their problem. But it would be better if they did not do so by using the faith of millions as a political prop.
In a world marked by loneliness, verbal violence, the fragmentation of relationships, and religious indifference, the devotion to the Sacred Heart remains extraordinarily relevant.
There are several themes presented by the groups, but only the top three are awarded prizes.
Alcântara took second place and Madragoa third. Last night, thousands of spectators watched the parade on Avenida da Liberdade.
Throughout the month of June, Lisbon turns into an open-air festival. The narrow streets of Lisbon fill with Portuguese locals and foreigners who arrive early and promise to stay until dawn. While some dance, others work behind the counters and grills. On the night of Santo António, the capital trades silence for music and becomes the city that never sleeps.
It was a long night in Lisbon celebrating Saint Anthony. Crowds took to the streets for the traditional festivals and dances, enjoying sardines and basil plants. There was plenty of celebration, as shown in the photographs by DN reporter Paulo Spranger. Click the arrows to view the images: Photo gallery. The marches brought colour to the avenue and victory to Alfama. Alfama wins the Lisbon Popular Marches.
The night was a celebration throughout Lisbon, with street parties, plenty of music, basil plants, and grilled sardines. Avenida da Liberdade hosted the Lisbon marches parade, which crowned the Alfama march as the winner, eight years after its last victory in the competition. View the gallery of the best photographs by DN reporter Paulo Spranger by clicking the arrows. Sardines, basil plants, and street dances: this is how the night of Saint Anthony was celebrated in the streets of Lisbon. Alfama wins the Lisbon Popular Marches. Lisbon Festivals feature over 40 initiatives throughout the month of June.
From March to June, André Serra swaps the kitchen for the São Vicente march. He has been a marcher for 11 years due to his love for the neighbourhood, and it was thanks to the rehearsals that he met the love of his life.
In 2025, Alcântara and Bairro Alto had won the competition. Now it was Alfama's turn, with the theme 'The saints must be crazy'. Alcântara came in second place and Madragoa in third.
Sixteen couples tied the knot this Friday, June 12, in the heart of the capital.
It is the longest day of the year in Lisbon, featuring the popular marches on Avenida da Liberdade. The capital's festivities also have the Saint Anthony's Weddings as a highlight.
The closing of the Lisbon Festivals takes place on June 26th at the Belém Tower Gardens.
The dress code for the Portugal Day celebrations has sparked controversy due to the prohibition of certain items like white dresses and specific collar styles.
As June arrives in Portugal, the smell of grilled sardines fills the air, colourful paper decorations appear above narrow streets and music echoes through neighbourhoods long after sunset. It can The post What are the Santos Populares? Portugal’s biggest June celebration explained appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The 'São Bartolomeu Paper Costume Parade', which takes place this year on 30 August on the Foz do Douro waterfront (Porto), and the 'Votive Candle of Santa Marta de Portuzelo' (Viana do Castelo) have become Intangible Cultural Heritage, following a decision published in the Diário da República this Thursday. The integration...
The town of Constância marked the Day of Camões, Portugal, and the Portuguese Communities with its traditional Pomonas Camonianas event.
Another festival whose origins are lost in history, the St. John of Carreira festivities; the first newspapers mention them in 1850, but some argue they date back to 1652, two centuries earlier.
The traditional practice from Arronches has been officially recognised as part of Portugal's cultural heritage.
At a time when so many cities seem to be losing their communal spaces and traditions, the Santos Populares continue to prove that Lisbon knows how to celebrate its identity. Opinion by Tatiana Nascimento
The author fondly remembers the washerwomen who would beat the laundry and sing, his mother at the washing stone, the laundry bleaching on the banks, the crickets, dragonflies and tadpoles, and his dog Mondego.
It is the countdown to the night of Saint Anthony, which always brings popular parades to Avenida da Liberdade.
With the street parties in honour of the matchmaking saint in full swing, we have chosen songs for weddings, nuptials, and dances.
The great pilgrimage of Matosinhos brings together the religious and the profane, the bifana and the kebab.
An upcoming major event celebrating rural life and traditions is set to take place in the Ribatejo region.
