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.

February Lisbon: fado festival at various sites in the city.

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

March–April Holy Week. Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Day services and processions.

April–May Estoril Open Tennis Championship.

May Pilgrimage to Fátima (12–13 May), in which many locals take part. Lisbon: IndieLisboa. Portugal's biggest independent film festival.

May–June Lisbon: Rock in Rio. Long-running rock festival featuring international stars.

May–Sept Bullfighting season, with a regular programme of events at the Moorish-style Campo Pequeno in the north of the city.

June Lisbon: festival of music, dance and theatre (all month). Lisbon: 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. Cascais: the Festa do Mar (Festival of the Sea) between 12–29 June to coincide with the festas dos santos populares.

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

July–August Estoril and Cascais: Estoril International Music Festival. Cascais: Cascais Cool Jazz (first two weekends). Setúbal: Festival of Santiago, fair and exhibition.

August Sintra: Ballet Festival.

October Estoril: Estoril Open Golf Tournament. November Dia de São Martinho (St Martin's Day), when the year's new wine is tasted.Arte Lisboa National contemporary art fair.

December Lisbon: Bolsa de Natal Christmas market (throughout city).