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Celebrate Festas dos Santos Populares in Portugal and enjoy the many traditions
When you plan your trip to Portugal in June, you can join a party! Festas dos Santos Populares happens annually in several Portuguese cities. Not sure what this is? Keep reading and join one of the best annual festivities in Portugal!
Celebrate Festas dos Santos Populares in Portugal
What is Festas dos Santos Populares?
Festas dos Santos Populares is one of the most amazing events in Portugal. It translates to Popular Saints’ Festivals, which happens every June. The celebrations and festivities are for the Popular Saints on the nights of St. Anthony, St. John, and St. Peter. But these days, it’s more about the parties in the evening than religion. The festival in the capital is known as Festas de Lisboa.
The streets are decorated, the beer flows, and you’ll smell grilled sardines everywhere. Some people even jokingly call it the sardine festival! If you like a good party, Portugal in June it is! You’ll enjoy parades and outdoor events on every street corner. The event is suitable for ages, and you’ll see many families and children celebrating on the streets.
When is Festas dos Santos Populares?
Festas dos Santos Populares’ celebrations usually last a month, but some days are more important than others.
- June 13th: Saint Anthony’s Day in Lisbon (the day Saint Anthony died). The celebration is on June 12th.
- June 24th: Saint John’s Day in Porto (Festa de São João do Porto. The celebration is on June 23rd.
- June 29th: Saint Peter’s Day in Póvoa de Varzim (Noite de São Pedro). The celebration is on June 28th.
Parties around Saint Anthony’s Day in Lisbon
There is a lot going on in the city in June. Festas de Lisboa includes Marchas Populares on Avenida da Liberdade, several weddings, and street parties for an entire month. Let’s take a look at some details.
Popular Marches
On June 12th, you can enjoy a parade (Marchas Populares) on Avenida da Liberdade. The parade is in the evening, usually from 8 PM until 11 PM. The official name of the parade is Marchas dos Bairros, or marches of the neighbourhoods.
Different groups from several areas strive to show the best dances and choreography for a specific theme. The songs are usually about the neighbourhood, the sea, traditions and other traditional topics.
The winners are announced the week before during a performance at Pavilhão Atlântico so that the group can enjoy themselves without stressing during the parade. The Marchas Populares includes more than 20 neighbourhoods, and every performance takes about 15 minutes. Expect big crowds!
Casamentos de Santo António
You can even witness a collective wedding ceremony in Lisbon! Patron Saint Anthony was known to be a bit of a matchmaker! Head over to the Sé Cathedral in Alfama to see this spectacle! During the Casamentos de Santo António (Weddings of St Anthony), sixteen couples will declare their love for each other!
Afterwards, the streets become busier and busier, and you can enjoy cabbage soup (caldo verde), grilled sardines, beer, sangria, or wine. A pimba band will get on stage and ensure you’ll be dancing the night away!
Who was Saint Anthony?
Festa de Santo Antonio is on June 13th (a public holiday) and is dedicated to the glory of Lisbon’s patron saint. He was born in 1195, and we can now find Igreja de Santo António de Lisboa in this location. June 13th is the day Saint Anthony died in 1231.
A procession runs through the streets of Alfama, and this event has more of a religious aspect. Santo Antonio is the patron saint of Lisbon and the saint of lovers. After the 13th, the Festas de Lisboa festivities will continue every weekend for the remainder of June.
Lisbon in June
Besides Festas de Lisboa, there are many more reasons why you should visit the Portuguese capital in June!
Where are the main areas to celebrate Santos Populares in Lisbon?
As soon as you visit the Alfama, the oldest neighbourhood in the city, you’ll be surrounded by colourful bunting, pimba (upbeat music) and sardines. The narrow streets are bustling, and the place is lively! Especially on June 12th, the area is one big party. The later it gets, the more shenanigans. Bica, Bairro Alto, Castelo and Mouraria are other places to join the street parties.
A photoshoot in colourful Lisbon!
Fancy having your pictures taken on these colourful streets during the Lisbon festivities? Book a photoshoot in Alfama in Lisbon for a memorable souvenir from your trip to Portugal.
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Where to stay during Festas de Lisboa?
Are you visiting Lisbon in June and prefer a quiet night’s sleep away from all the noise? It might be best to avoid staying around Ascensor da Bica, Pink Street, Bairro Alto, Rua São Cristóvão in Mouraria, and around Igreja Paroquial de São Miguel in Alfama. Thankfully, Lisbon has many hotels to choose from! Check availability below and book your dream spot!
Parties around Saint John’s Day in Porto
In Porto, you might be smashed on your head by a plastic hammer! You think what…?!?! The giant plastic hammers are part of the tradition, and bunches of garlic might also be shoved under your nose.
Festa de São João do Porto happens on the night of June 23rd, and the city centre will be jam-packed with people. The traditional fest pays tribute to Saint John the Baptist, but nowadays, São João is more like a street party.
There will be music, dancing, grilled sardines and plenty of booze. Around midnight, you can expect fireworks, colourful hot air balloons or a multimedia show. This is officially the end of São João, but you can celebrate until the sun rises!
Although the big party is on the 23rd, the whole month is already in celebration mode! There are also more events, such as Cascatas de São João. This is a creative contest in which participants create a scene from the lives of São João and Porto. The winning creations are displayed at Bolhão Market the week before the party starts.
Arruada dos Ranchos starts on June 15th. People will listen to rancho, a traditional Portuguese music style. The first concerts will pop up, and dancing on the street will begin! On June 22nd, it’s time for Rusgas de São João, the parade in Porto. Similar to Lisbon, the parade is a contest between neighbourhoods for the best dance, songs, and choreography.
Where are the main areas to celebrate São João in Porto?
Most celebrations start in the afternoon of June 23rd and will continue until the following morning. It’s nice to start with a good meal at one of the fine restaurants in the city. The party usually starts with a traditional dinner before heading out. Afterwards, you can walk towards Cais da Ribeira.
The Ribeira neighbourhood is one of the busiest, and anywhere around the Douro River is lively. Or head over to Vila Nova de Gaia and explore the area of the Ponte Luís I bridge for the activities. Other neighbourhoods to visit are Miragaia, Fontainhas, and Massarelos Foz do Douro, the place to be after the fireworks. People head over to the river banks to catch the sunset over Porto. And a fresh dip in the sea might avoid that upcoming hangover!
Hotels in Porto
Need to catch up with your sleep? Porto has many great hotels! If you like a good night of rest on the night of the 23rd, maybe avoid the Ribeira neighbourhood for now. But if you’re amongst the partygoers, anywhere in the city centre will be great! Check the map below to locate the best area to stay in.
Celebrations around Saint Peter’s Day in Póvoa de Varzim
Póvoa de Varzim is the place to be on June 28th. Festas de São Pedro is celebrated with bonfires, songs, and dances. It’s the last of the Santos Populares and a late midsummer fest. There is also a parade and competition between the neighbourhoods.
The biggest parties are around the waterfront in Carvalhido and in Largo Caetano de Oliveira, and you can party well until the early hours of June 29th. A procession is also held on June 29th, which includes all three popular saints. Once this is finished, Festas dos Santos Populares is officially over.
Hotels in Póvoa de Varzim
Like Porto and Lisbon, the city is bustling with people during Festas dos Santos Populares. Therefore, booking a hotel or accommodation ahead of time is a must! Book your hotel in time to ensure you have a lovely place to stay!
Traditions during Festas dos Santos Populares
As you can see, Festas dos Santos Populares is more like a street party than a religious event. But besides the spiritual aspect, many traditions are linked to Festas dos Santos Populares.
Delicious grilled sardines
You’ll smell grilled sardines everywhere you go in June. No escape! The link with Festas dos Santos Populares is so strong that it’s sometimes called the Sardine Festival. You’ll see many barbecues on the street where fresh sardines are grilled. June is also the start of the sardine fishing season. But the story also goes that Saint Antony practised a sermon by a river when a shoal of sardines stopped swimming to listen to him.
Majericos
Have you got a partner? Then it’s a tradition to gift them Majericos, a sweet basil bush, with a poem. The Majerico is like a Valentine herb the man gave to propose to his future wife. The small bushes often come with colourful paper flowers, and you can find many sellers around Igreja de Santo António de Lisboa.
Pimba music
During Festas dos Santos Populares, you’ll hear pimba from every street corner! It’s upbeat music, and it might be hard to sit still. The lyrics are pretty silly (sometimes raunchy!), and you might see a lot of laughter from locals during the songs.
Portuguese folk music has some elements, but it’s basically pop music with minimum lyrics. People of all ages will join the dance floor to show their moves! Join in!
Travelling between festivals in Portugal
Want to party for the whole month? Why not celebrate all events? The easiest way to travel between the cities is by bus. Flixbus has services between all towns and buses depart very regularly. It’s the cheapest way to get around Portugal. For a little more comfort, you can also take the train. Use the Omio app to schedule your journey online.
FAQ
What is Santos Populares in Portugal?
Santos Populares in Portugal is a popular saint festival. The cities have different patron saints, and the dates of the parties depend on the location. The festival lasts the entire month of June, and it’s one of the best times to visit Portugal.
What saints are popular in Portugal?
Saint Anthony, Saint John and Saint Peter are the most popular saints celebrated in Portugal. In June, there will be many parties to join so you can learn more about this event.
Conclusion
Even if you’re not into late-nighters, joining the street parties is fun! You’ll learn so much more about Portuguese traditions, and even if you join for a couple of hours, you’ll enjoy some sardines and a beer or two. During Festas de Lisboa, you can enjoy a parade on Avenida da Liberdade.
In Porto, you can celebrate São João. If you like a full-nighter… well, you’ve come to the right place. Are you ready for the festival? It’s an incredible time to visit Portugal!
Other events in Portugal:
- Cultural Portugal festivals and events you don’t want to miss
- Carnaval Portugal with stunning outfits, parades, and dates
- Carnaval in Torres Vedras
- Celebrate the Carnation Revolution in Portugal on April 25th
- Celebrate Festas dos Santos Populares in Portugal in June
- Visiting the Óbidos Medieval Festival in Portugal in July
- Enjoy the unique Knights Templar Festival in Tomar in July
- Christmas in Lisbon
- Photography Experiences in Lisbon during Christmas
- Best Christmas markets in Lisbon
- Wonderland Lisboa: the largest Christmas market in Lisbon
- Where to find the most beautiful Lisbon Christmas lights
- Christmas in Óbidos
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