THE JOY OF PORTUGAL'S JUNE FESTIVALS
Join the vibrant celebrations of Santos Populares in Portugal. Discover the best events and traditions that make this month so special. June is a month of vibrant celebrations! Learn about the lively festivals and Santos Populares.
June in Portugal is synonymous with festivity! The streets come alive with music, dance, and colorful decorations during the Santos Populares.
From Lisbon’s St. Anthony’s Festival to Porto’s St. John’s Festival, these events are a testament to Portugal’s rich cultural heritage.
Join the locals in celebrating with traditional foods, fireworks, and joyful parades. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, these festivals offer a unique and unforgettable experience.
The most famous ones are the "Festas de Santo António" in Lisbon, on the night of June 12/13, and the "Festa do São João" in Porto, on the night of June 23/24.
These are highly festive celebrations in which people come out to eat, drink and dance, particularly in the city's most historic quarters.
The streets are decorated with arches, colorful paper balloons and lots of basil.
Our recommendation is that you have plenty of fun, but don't miss out on the traditional "caldo verde" soup and grilled sardines.
In Porto, you'll come across some very unique characteristics: throughout the night, people greet each other with friendly hammer blows to the head (plastic hammers, of course...) and release small, colorful hot-air balloons that fill the night sky with tiny, colorful stars. At midnight you can enjoy a monumental firework display from the River Douro and the D. Luís Bridge.
The " Festa de São Pedro" is also widely celebrated throughout the country, on the night of June 29/30, especially in those fishing communities where there's a special devotion to this saint, Patron Saint of Fishermen, such as Póvoa de Varzim, São Pedro da Afurada and Ribeira Grande in the Azores, but also in Sintra and Évora.