Portugal Events

The travelers and tourists to Portugal get an opportunity to experience the local culture through the major events of Portugal. The current events in Portugal are celebrated at different times of the year. These events are able to showcase the country’s rich history and culture. One will find the people of the county holding a deep respect for the numerous festivals which have their origin in ancient tradition and religion. Some festivals date back to many centuries. There are newer festivals as well which feature art and movies and a showcase to the modern culture. The major events of Portugal are all about religious festivals, pilgrimages, traditional dances, processions, firework displays, music, literature and dance.

These are groups that form spontaneously and get together to sing about religious or secular themes. They are to be found a bit all over the Algarve One can enjoy the Charolas get-togethers and competitions that represent and maintain the various forms of the Charolas songs of the region.

This is a traditional festival in honor of St. Luis, the patron saint of animals. The festival translated means “Smoked Pork Sausages Festival) and in accordance with the secular tradition all the persons who work in the agricultural field in the villages and are dependent on pork for their nourishment make a promise to St. Luis while buying a pig that if the animal has a healthy life, in return they will offer the saint a “Chourica”. In this event a procession is also held and a traditional roasted “chourica’ tasting ceremony is held. Many “chouricas” are also auctioned off during the festival.

This festival is marked by music, dance, theater, circus and sport in the traditional shopping district of Baixa/Chiado. The district attracts residents and visitors to its numerous attractions. The BaixAnima festival is held in the open air and entry is free.

The festivities in the city of Guimaraes are held simultaneously with the Fair of St. Gualter. The events are held during four days in the month of August. This is primarily a medieval procession which depicts costumes and traditions from the middle ages and showcases how folks of those times would ridicule society. When the procession of St. Gualter is taken out on Sunday, the religious celebration reaches a high crescendo. The “Marcha Gualteriana” takes place on Monday. Apart from this traditional dance performances, bullfight, horse racing, fireworks, music festival and an important performance known as the ‘Batalha das Flores’ (Battle of the flowers) are also festivities held. These are held at the historical center of the city.

This Sexial Jazz festival is a unique festival held on the other bank of the river and features the top of international jazz. There are exhibitions, workshops and stands which complement the program.