Living in Portugal: Traditional Portuguese Festivals

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The Portuguese culture was influenced by different civilizations during the past millennia, including the Romans, the Suevi, the Germans, and the Visigoths. Land of feast days and processions, this country keeps hold of its traditions. Portugal has a full calendar of festivals throughout the year, such as Festas dos Santos Populares, the Estoril Music Festival, and the Carnival.

Attending a traditional festival (festa) is a great way to learn about the national culture and make friends. Many Portuguese have a firm belief in magic, cults, lucky charms, miracles, and saints. luckysanto.com There are numerous fairs and popular festivals that celebrate their beliefs and reflect the country's rich cultural heritage.

Festas dos Santos Populares

The Feast Days of the Popular Saints (Festas dos Santos Populares) are celebrated throughout the country with music, color and joy. In June, the Portuguese celebrate Santo António, the patron saint of lovers. The festival features traditional food and drinks, fado music, parades, dancing, and singing. Locals eat the characteristic grilled sardines, drink wine, and offer small pots of basil to their loved those.

The Portuguese also celebrate São Pedro on 29 June. Montijo, Sintra, and Alcalena have traditional festivities that include singing and dancing, fireworks, fairs, and huge platefuls of rice and sardines. Traditionally, young girls knock at nine different doors without saying a word in order to find out whom they will marry. The first man they see from the window in the morning will be the girl's husband.

The Carnival

This festival is celebrated with old folk plays, musicians, and battles of flowers. The parades are influenced by the Rio de Janeiro carnival. Everyone is invited to come. The Carnival is a religious party and a place for people to meet each other. Even though this festival may not be as well known as its Caribbean or Brazilian counterparts, it ranks among the world's most popular parties. In the Algarve, the Carnival is celebrated with beautifully decorated traditional boats sailing along the coast.

Nossa Senhora de Fatima

Nossa Senhora de Fatima (Our Lady of Fatima) is an annual celebration that takes place on May 13 and October 13. Fatima is the most powerful symbol of religious devotion in Portugal. More than four million pilgrims line the roads to Fatima to pay their respects to the Virgin Mary. This festival celebrates the first and last apparitions of the mother of Jesus. Those who attend the ceremony wave white handkerchiefs during their farewells to the Virgin.