Annual Events in Porto
Here is a list of important Events and Festivals in Porto-
We like to say Porto is a place to fall in love in. However, the city isn’t only a gorgeous Iberian city the stunning views, it is also a cultural center where everyone can find something that will interest them.
January
That’s it, Christmas ended, and the new year started, but the fun never ends. Bolo Rei (King Cake) is a traditional pastry which has all sort of things hidden inside. One of the pastries has a broad bean hidden in it. The catch is like this- the person who finds the bean is crowned king and oversees providing the cake for next year.
February
Fantasporto (Porto International Film Festival)
This film festival take place in February and March having different genres. The filmmakers compete for prizes. This festival started in 1981 and since then became very popular. Many famous filmmakers competed in this competition such as the Cohen brothers, David Lynch, Luc besson and others.
February/March
Essência do Vinho – Porto Essência do Vinho
Every year many wine makers take place in this festival, which takes place in the former Porto exchange building. Portuguese and foreign wine producers compete in this event over who has the best wine. And international jury elect the ten winners.
March/April
Porto Interceltic Festival
This ten-day event started in 1986 and has been going strong ever since. Performers from over Europe come to play and sing Celtic music. The event takes place all over town.
Easter
When easter comes to town, it get really colorful with beautiful religious traditions concerts, shows, plays really good sponge cake.
May
Porto Burning of the Ribbons (Queima das Fitas do Porto)
As the second most important event in the city, planned and executed by the city students, this one includes everyone in the city. For a full week in May there are concerts, serenades and a parade.
International Iberaian Language Theatre Festival (Festival Internacional de Teatro de Expressão Ibérica)
The FITEI (International Iberian Language Theatre Festival) promotes theatre and stage arts. This annual festival, that takes place in the last days of May and beginning of June has been held since 1978 promotes also artistic creativity by searching for new audiences and discovering new arts projects.
Festival of our Lord of Matosinhos (Festa do Senhor de Matosinhos)
This festival is one of the high points of religious pilgrimages in the whole country. The Festival of our Lord of Matosinhos is a recommended event for those wishing to experience Porto’s, and more specifically, Matosinhos’ religious tradition. For three weeks the city hosts cultural and sporting events while thousands of light bulbs decorate the church of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos.
June
Serralves em Festa (Serralves Festival)
The Fundação Serralves (Serralves Foundation) organises 40-hour event filled with dance, music, theatrical shows and exhibitions in its property. Portuguese and international performers take part in this event. It is largest contemporary arts festival in Portugal and one of the largest in Europe. The event attracts thousands of visitors of all ages.
Porto Book Fair
a massive book event packed with literature aficionados as well as authors, editors and publishers.
Festa de São João (St John Festival)
Porto defines itself by São João, a full night party all over the city. Wander the streets with a beer in one hand and a plastic hammer in the other and enjoy the festivities. São João is the patron saint of Porto and his festival is a time when people barbecue and enjoy the street music. The tradition of whacking people on the head with plastic hammers gets everyone a little crazy. But remember to watch how the locals do it before giving it a try. The head banging takes place on June 23rd, with a magnificent fireworks display.
Regata dos Rabelos (Rabelo Boat Races)
Rabelos (wooden sail boats) once transported Port wine down the Douro River. Every year in late June, they raise their sails and compete. Various producers of Port wine sponsor the competitions, with their label names scrawled across the square sails. The races are at the same time as the Festa de São João.
Rhythms of the World Festival (Festival Ritmos do Mundo)
If you are going to Portugal to enjoy the culture, then this event is perfect for you! In Gaia in late June there is Portuguese and Brazilian music performances with workshops, circus acts with many other events as well.
NOS Primavera Sound
The NOS Primavera Sound is a music festival, held in June in the Parque da Cidade do Porto, the largest urban park in the country. Many international performers, such as Caetano Veloso, Pixies, Interpol, Charles Bradley and The National have participated in this 3-day festival.
Porto Cartoon World Festival
This event is run by the Museu Nacional da Imprensa (National Press Museum), having participants from all over the world. Since 1999, this competition has attracted incredible cartoonists from all over the world. There is a theme every year. Every year the festival has a theme which after all the cartoons are submitted, the best cartoons are voted on in a world scale.
São Pedro da Afurada
This festivity takes place on June 29th in honor of St. Peter. There is a huge party in Afurada, Vila Nova de Gaia, with fireworks and street parades.
Grande Prémio do Porto
Everyone loves seeing Formula-One races. There just is something about hearing those engines roar and seeing the cars moving so fast! The race takes place by the Castelo do Queijo (Cheese Castle) and the City Park. This race takes place every few years.
July
Festival MEO Marés Vivas
The Festival MEO Marés Vivas is an annual music festival held in Vila Nova de Gaia. The festival has been taking place since 1999. Formerly called the Festival Marés Vivas, but since MEO, a Portuguese mobile communications service provider, became the official sponsor of the festival the name was changed in 2013.
The City of Porto’s International Folklore Festival (Festival Internacional de Folclore Cidade do Porto)
This festival brings musicians from Portugal and abroad to play just for you all. The festival all holds discussion groups and the staging of international games, amongst other activities.
Porto Wine Fest
This festival is considered the largest port wine festival in Gaia. The greatest Port producers are there, and you get to taste their products among other activities.
August
Ritual Rock Nights (Noites Ritual Rock)
Who doesn’t love concerts performed by local rock bands looking for fame and glory? located in the gardens of the Palácio de Cristal and normally has a relatively young audience. You can also enjoy other activities at this festival, such as photography exhibitions and workshops. For the past 20 years this festival has only two goals- to promote Portuguese music and end the rock season in the city with a booming series of concerts.
September
Festival International De Marionetas Do Porto
The September International Puppet will captivate you. The marionettes stage different performances during the festival. The plays are great!
Vinho Verde Wine Fest
Held in Porto’s Customs House where you can take part in exhibitions, wine tastings and commented wine tastings while enjoying music.
Red Bull Air Races
Remember “Red Bull gives you wings”? well, it does. You have got to see what these Red Bull pilots do in the air. It just defies gravity. All this with the beautiful Douro River in the backround.
Porto Blue Jazz
Till August we have rock, from September its Jazz and Blues. Some of the biggest names in jazz come to play. The most important concerts usually take place in the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal.
Porto Half Marathon
The end of September is a great time for the Porto Half Marathon, not too hot, cold or wet. A fantastic month to host runners from many nationalities. If you think you can run 21 km in in a hilly terrain, then lace up for an exhausting tour of the city, it’s really recommended.
October
Francesinha festival (Festival da Francesinha)
The Francesinha Festival was created in order to pay tribute to one of the iconic foods in the city. The event brings together many local restaurants to show how they re-invent and present this delicious dish.
November
Maratona do Porto (Porto marathon)
After the warm-up in September, here’s the real thing. 42 KM of exhausting run, starting and finishing in the Parque da Cidade do Porto. Well-known in Portugal and internationally, this sporting event attracts runners and non-runners alike from all over the world.
December
Feira do Artesanato do Porto
This winter crafts fair displays works from all over Portugal and some items from abroad. The artwork is shown in mid-December, with over a hundred different artists showing us their masterpieces.
Christmas
If you visit Porto over Christmas, you will see how the city transforms. Different colors and lights decorate the whole city, it is absolutely stunning. At this time of year, there are monuments in Porto’s historic center that are decorated specially for Christmas, such as the Torre dos Clérigos and Porto’s City Council building (really worth coming to see).
New Year’s Eve
In Porto New-Year’s eve is a little different from what you are used to when the peak of the celebrations is in the moment of the New Year. At that point you can watch the traditional firework display in Porto’s downtown area, along with thousands of other people.