Our guide to some of the major, upcoming cultural and sporting events in Portugal- whether national, international, professional, amateur, traditional or quirky! Some websites listed may only be available in Portuguese so where possible we have included an email address for entries or more information, please also contact us with any queries about any event or to list your upcoming events in Portugal for free!
If you are coming to Portugal we can arrange accommodation, car hire and activities for family members at highly competitive rates
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
January
20th Funchal Marathon, also half marathon and 7km race, Funchal, Madeira sign up
February
One of February's main events is Carnaval (carnival) which will be celebrated in towns all across the country between 5th and 9th February with the main displays at the weekend and on Tuesday 9th. Some of the best celebrations can be found in Podence and Lazarim in Northern Portugal, in Lisbon, Torres Vedras, Estarreja, Ovar, Mealhada, Sesimbra, in Loule in the Algarve and on the island of Madeira but wherever you go there'll be partying!
16th February to 3rd April Vilamoura Atlantic Tour, one of the largest showjumping competitions in Portugal the tour attracts competitors from across the world, spectators are free. Find out more.
26th February to 5th March Fantasporto - Oporto International Film Festival More details.
March
16th February to 3rd April Vilamoura Atlantic Tour, one of the largest showjumping competitions in Portugal the tour attracts competitors from across the world, spectators are free.
26th February to57th March Fantasporto - Oporto International Film Festival More details.
1st to 9th March Algarve Cup International, international women's football tournament games schedule.
3rd to 13th March Monstra Film Festival Animated film festival find out more.
4th to 6th March Algarve Bike Challenge international mountain biking over three stages get on your bike!
20th Lisbon Half Marathon, also a 5 mile mini marathon, Almada, Lisbon sign up
Opens 20th March Fiesa Sand Sculpture Festival, find out more
23rd to 27th March Holy Week, Obidos one of the most spectacular celebrations of Easter in Portugal
Easter Week Easter celebrations across the whole country- Braga and Obidos are particular highlights.
April
7th to 13th April Madeira Flower Festival Madeira's world famous flower festival- unmissable but book your trip early as accommodation gets fully booked very quickly!
7th to 17th AprilLisbon Fish and Flavours Festival enjoy the best fresh fish and seafood!
16th April to 3rd May Obidos Chocolate Festival indulge yourself in the best chocolate in the walled town of Obidos!
23rd April Madeira Island Ultra Trail take on this challenging 115 km on spectacular but mountainous tracks around Porto Moniz, Machico, Encumeada, Ruivo (1861 m) and Areeiro. details and entries
24th AprilColour Run, Coimbra run or walk in the rainbow! info@thecolorrun.pt
23rd to 25th April 18th Norte Dance Festival international dance competition, showcases, workshops, a dance fair and more! Contemporary dance, classical dance, jazz dance, street dance, country dance and tap, full details.
25th April to 1st May Madeira Film Festival one of Europe's most respected independent film festivals. Find out more
27th April to 2nd May Santo Cristo Festival, Christian festival culminating in torch light festivities on 5th Sunday after Easter in Ponta Delgada, Azores, Sao Miguel, Azores
May
3rd to 7th May tbc Festivity of the Crosses a picturesque festival celebrating Monsanto's heroic resistance to a siege. Usually the 3rd May or the following Sunday is the main day.
4th May Indouro Fest indie and rock festival, Gaia,
7th May Lisboa Triathlon half ironman distance, lisboatriathlon@gmail.com
8th May Wings for Life World Run 35 locations, six continents and one simultaneous race! The Portugal one is in Porto, sign up!
12th and 13th May tbc Pilgrimage to Fatima the largest gathering of the year at the shrine of Fatima with a candlelit procession on 12th
15th May Douro Half Marathon one of the world's most beautiful half marathons, there is also a 6km race, sign up!
19th to 22nd May 12th International Black&White Audiovisual Festival Porto.
20th to 28th May Rock in Rio music festival, Lisbon, line up.
20th to 22nd May Rally de Portugal international drivers battle it out to win one of the most hotly disputed stages of the World Rally Championship, line up
20th to 21st MayImaginarius - Street Arts Festival Santa Maria da Feira
21st to 22nd May Estrela Grand Trail 85km and 25km race and hike in fantastic mountain scenery, geral@estrelagrandetrail.pt
28th MayAzores Trail Run 22km and 48km runs through breathtaking surroundings (in both senses of the word!), Faial, Azores, azorestrailrun@azorestrailrun.com
date tbc Islamic Festival, Mertola a celebration of the town's Moorish history.
May tbc Reids Palace Classic Car Show Madeira
tbc FIMFA - International Festival of Puppets and Animated Forms Lisbon programme
tbc Madeira Orienteering Meeting three days of orienteering open to all, aventuramadeira@gmail.com.
May tbc Senhor de Matosinhos Festivities
May tbc Jazz on A Summer Day Estoril international jazz festival, near Lisbon.
June
Throughout June Festivities of Lisbon outdoor entertainment throughout the month
Throughout June Feasts of São João, Porto.
2nd to 4th JuneRally Azores knuckle biting racing along some of Sao Miguel's most beautiful roads and trails
4th, 11th, 18th 25th June Atlantic Fesitval a whole month of festivities, shows, concerts and fireworks in Funchal, the capital of Madeira.
9th to 11th June Primavera Sound, music festival, Porto. the line up
18th June Lisbon Eco Marathon nocturnal marathon and 19km races in hilly but beautiful Monsanto sign up!
24th to 25th June Sumol Summer Fest, Ericeira, the line up
30th June to 6th July Festival Med, Loule, Algarve.
date tbc Sanjoaninas Festivities one of the biggest and most colourful of the Azores festivals, Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira
date tbc Ponte de Lima Horse Fair one of Portugal's largest equestrian events with competitions, exhibitions and gastronomy.
July
4th to 26th July AgitÁgueda, the famous umbrella festival, shading and beautifying the streets of Agueda, central Portugal.
9th to 17th July Curtas Vila do Conde - International Film Festival Vila do Conde
7th to 9th July NOS Alive Music Festival Oeiras, near Lisbon, the line up
14th to 16th July Super Bock Super Rock Festival Lisbon the line up
14th to 16th July Mares Vivas Music Festival Vila Nova da Gaia the line up
16th July to 2nd August Obidos Medieval Market
18th to 30th July tbc Coimbra Arts Festival
18th to 29th July Obidos International Piano Week
19th to 31st July Cool Jazz Festival Oeiras
21st to 24th July tbc International Motorcycle Meeting thousands of bikers from all over the world descent on Faro for three days of music, festivities and rides
22nd to 25th July Tall Ships Race Lisbon
26th to 28th July Vilar de Mouros Festival the oldest music festival in Portugal, who's playing
28th July to 7th August Expofacic Agricultural Fair music, exhibitions and more.
28th to 30th July Rally Vinho da Madeira The European Rally Championship in Madeira
July tbc World Music Festival Sines
July tbc Walk and Talk Arts Festival, Azores
July/August tbc Santa Maria da Feira Medievel Fair
July tbc Red Bull Cliff Diving Vila Franca do Campo, Azores
July/August tbc Atlantis Cup sailing regatta amidst the beauties of the Azores
July/August Pirate Week Armação de Pera, Algarve- concerts, markets, shows and more.
July/August 38th National Craft Fair lots to see at Portugal's biggest craft fair, Vila do Conde.
August
1st to 7th August Andanças, International Traditional Dance and Music Festival Castelo de Vide
3rd to 7th August Festival Sudoeste the biggest summer music festival, Zambujeira do Mar, Alentejo, the line up
4th to 6th August Neopop 10th edition electronic music festival, Viana do Castelo.
5th to 14th August Silves Medieval Fair
5th to 7th August Vagos Open Air 2016 heavy metal and rock festival the line up.
6th to 7th August tbc Festas Gualterianas 4 days of festivities and entertainment in Guimarães, Northern Portugal.
7th to 14th August Sea Week, Azores a festival including swimming, diving, water-polo, sail and whale boat regattas, rowing, canoeing, jet skiing and angling competitions, Horta, Faial, Azores
16th to 20th August 22nd Azores Paragliding Festival Sao Miguel, Azores
17th to 19th August Paredes de Coura Festival rock music festival on a river beach, Northern Portugal the programme
18th to 20th August Festival Maré de Agosto sea festival, Santa Maria, Azores
18th to 21st August Pt281+ Ultramarathon 281km race along spectacular but challenging trails! geral@horizontes.com.pt
25th to 27th August Forte Festival dance music festival, Montemor-o-Velho the line up.
28th August to 4th September Madeira Wine Fest
August tbc Ruas Floridas- Flower Adorned Streets Redondo near Evora, a tradition dating from 1838.
August tbc Bons Sons Festival 2016 Portuguese music festival, Tomar.
August tbc Feasts of Nossa Senhora da Agonia Viana do Castelo
August/September tbc Festivities of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios the hightlight is the procession of the triumph where an image of the Virgin Mary is pulled by yoked oxen, making Lamego the only place in the Catholic world where a statue of the virgin is transported by animals! Lamego, Nothern Portugal
19th to 28th August tbc Vila do Conde Gastronomy Fair one of the country's best!
end of August tbc Medieval Days in Castro Marim
August tbc S. João D'Arga Pilgrimage Serra d'Arga
throughout August, join in the Beach Games Praia Grande, near Sintra and free keep fit activities on Algarve beaches
September
30th August to 6th September Madeira Wine Fest
August/September tbc Festivities of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios the hightlight is the procession of the triumph where an image of the Virgin Mary is pulled by yoked oxen, making Lamego the only place in the Catholic world where a statue of the virgin is transported by animals! Lamego, Nothern Portugal
September tbc Madeira Islands Ultra Swim 25 swimmers aim to swim simultaneously 42km between the islands of Porto Santo and Madeira.
September tbc Caramulo Motorfestival
September tbc Sintra Portugal Pro the only stage of the world bodyboarding championship to be held in Europe
17th to 19th September Columbus Festival a celebration of the explorer's life and times, Vila Baleira, Porto Santo
16th to 24th September Queer Lisboa Film Festival Lisbon
September tbc SATA Airlines Azores Islands Pro a prime event in the World Qualifying Series of the Professional Surfers’ Association.
October
4th to 9th October Madeira Nature Festival
October tbc Portugal Masters watch some of the world's top golfers at Victoria Golf Club, Vilamoura
2nd October Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, Lisbon also half marathon and mini marathon, sign up!
tbc Rip Curl Pro Portugal championship surfing in this stage of the ASP World Tour, Carcavelos, Guincho and Supertubos
October tbc Baja Portalegre 500 cross country motor racing, Alentejo
November
6th November Porto Marathon also 15km and 6km races sign up!
7th to 14th November tbc Golega National Horse Fair a must for horse lovers a fantastic week long celebration of the horse in the capital of Lusitano horse breeding
December
Obidos Christmas Village
31st New Year's Eve Celebrations across the country, don't miss Madeira's world famous fireworks!.
São Silvestre Runs in towns across the country
Have you taken part or watched any events in Portugal or do you know of any events we've missed? Send us your stories, listings or photos!
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