Calendar of events

As you plan your excursions, it is worth checking details of festivals and fairs in and around Lisbon with tourist information offices.

January–December Fado in Chiado. Live Fado shows held at the Cine Theatro Gymnásio in Chiado every evening (except Sundays), accompanied by a slideshow of Lisbon’s attractions.

February–March Carnival (Mardi Gras). Processions and fireworks.

March Moda Lisboa, Lisbon fashion week.

March–April Easter services and processions.

April Peixe em Lisboa food festival. Dias da Música em Belém, music festival at Centro Cultural de Belém. Estoril Open ATP/WTA tennis tournament.

May Pilgrimage to Fátima (12–13 May). IndieLisboa, Portugal’s biggest independent film festival.

May–June Alkantara Art Festival. Rock in Rio (every two years), long-running rock festival featuring international stars.

May–September Bullfighting season at the Moorish-style Campo Pequeno in the north of the city.

June Festival of music, dance and theatre (all month). Festas dos santos populares (festivals of the popular saints) starting with St Anthony (13 June), on the eve of his feast day there’s a costumed parade down the Avenida da Liberdade followed by celebrations in Alfama; the nights of St John (23 June) and St Peter (28 June) are almost as festive, and the season finishes with a burst of fireworks.

July Sintra music festival (second week), including live performances in the town’s historic palaces and gardens.

July–August Estoril International Music Festival. Cascais Cool Jazz (first two weekends).

August Jazz em Agosto – jazz concerts at the Museu Gulbenkian. Cascais Sea Festival (Festas do Mar).

October Estoril Open Golf Tournament. DocLisboa documentary film festival.

November Arte Lisboa contemporary art fair. Dia de São Martinho (St Martin’s Day), when the year’s new wine is tasted.