l Epiphany (6 Jan). The day is celebrated by eating the traditional Epiphany cake, bolo rei (king’s cake).
Festa de São Gonçalinho (2nd week). A crowd gathers around Aveiro’s Capela de São Gonçalinho, with nets and umbrellas, to catch loaves of bread thrown from the roof.
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Fantasporto (late Feb–early Mar). Porto’s international film festival shows many science fiction, horror and fantasy flicks by new directors.
l Carnival (Shrove Tuesday; exact date varies). Parades, spectacular costumes and floats flood Portugal’s streets in a final hurrah before the sombre days of Lent.
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l Moda Lisboa (mid-Mar). The first of two annual fashion weeks (the second takes place in October) where cutting-edge garments are paraded down Lisbon’s runways.
EDP Lisbon Half Marathon (mid-Mar). In one of the capital’s most popular sporting events, runners from all over the world cross the Ponte 25 Abril to finish at the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos in Belém.
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Semana Santa (Easter week; exact date varies). The city of Braga is illuminated during Holy Week by solemn torch-lit processions of bare-foot, hooded believers spinning eerie rattles.
Peixe em Lisboa (early–mid-Apr). During Lisbon’s fish festival, restaurants offer tastings and chefs host demonstrations.
l Dia da Revolução (25 Apr). A military parade, political speeches and festivities celebrate the Carnation Revolution of 1974, when 48 years of dictatorship were ended without any bloodshed.
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l Fátima Pilgrimage (13 May). Thousands of pilgrims gather to commemorate the appearance of the Virgin to three shepherd children in 1917.
Madeira Flower Festival (mid-May). Funchal’s shops and houses bloom with flowers during this annual festival, which culminates in an enchanting parade.
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Santo António (12 and 13 June). Lisbon’s Alfama district comes alive in this riotous celebration.
São João (23 and 24 Jun). Watch out for people with plastic hammers during Porto’s street party.
l Lisbon Pride (last weekend). A series of LGBT+ events take place throughout the capital, including club nights and a jubilant parade.
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Festa dos Tabuleiros (early Jul; every 4 years; next in 2019). Tomar’s “Festival of the Trays” sees women carrying tabuleiros – 30 flowered loaves of bread topped with a crown– on their heads.
l NOS Alive (mid-Jul). World-renowned indie, rock and alternative music festival in Lisbon.
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l Semana do Mar (1st week). Food, music, crafts, watersports and lively competitions are on the agenda at Horta’s Festival of the Sea on Faial in the Azores.
Festa Gulaterianas (1st weekend). A torch-lit procession through the streets, a medieval parade and lots of dancing are the highlights at this festival in Guimarães.
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Romaria de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (1st week). Three days of processions conclude with a pilgrimage to Lamego’s famous shrine.
l Feiras Novas (early to mid-Sep). Ponte de Lima hosts a huge market with a fairground, fireworks, carnival costumes and a brass band competition.
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l Rock ‘n’ Roll Lisbon Marathon (mid-Oct). Runners are accompanied by live bands as they race from Cascais to Lisbon’s Parque das Nações.
Festival Nacional de Gastronomia de Santarém (late Oct–early Nov). Santarém plays host to food stalls, wine tastings and cookery demonstrations.
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l All Saints’ Day (1 Nov). Throughout the country, candles are lit and flowers placed on graves to honour the dead.
Feira Nacional do Cavalo (first two weeks). Golegã – the Portuguese capital of the horse – is taken over with races and parades as owners showcase their thoroughbreds.
Festa de São Martinho (11 Nov). St Martin’s Day is celebrated in Madeira with roasted chestnuts and tastings of the year’s new wine.
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Christmas (25 Dec). Midnight Mass is followed by a traditional meal of bacalhau (salted cod).
l New Year’s Eve (31 Dec). Fireworks illuminate the major cities, with Funchal boasting one of the biggest displays.