A press release today announces that this year’s edition of the Festas de Lisboa, celebrating Saint Anthony, Lisbon’s principal patron saint in June, will feature a new addition. The Lisbon Book Fair, held at Eduardo VII Park, will host discussions on “Lisboa Plural,” Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro, and his iconic creation, Zé Povinho, alongside workshops dedicated to the significance of writing.
Music plays a central role at the Festas de Lisboa, with Castelo de São Jorge hosting performances by Carminho, Rui Massena, and Gil Brito, the young pianist who won Got Talent Portugal.
Concurrently, the Gulbenkian Orchestra will present “Contrastes e Cores Orquestrais,” Jazz Recitals will take place at Teatro da Comuna, and Teatro do Bairro Alto will welcome Anupama Bhagwat, one of the most skilled sitar players of Indian heritage.
The closing weekend at Terreiro do Paço will feature D.A.M.A. on June 28, along with Ágata, Bandidos do Cante, Beatriz Felício & Buba Espinho, and Los Romeros. This year, the performance will include the march that wins at Avenida.
Bárbara Bandeira will take the stage on June 29 with the GNR Symphonic Band, featuring Carminho.
This year’s edition positions the Festas de Lisboa as “plural, eclectic, deeply rooted in tradition, yet always open-armed.”
Diversity is a highlight of this year’s program, featuring the Korean Culture Festival at the Museum of Lisbon – Palácio Pimenta, Bollywood Holi Festival and Indian Market at the Hindu Community of Portugal, MAMA África at Cinema São Jorge and Capitólio, and the Thai Festival at Jardim Vasco da Gama.
The same venue will host the Japan Festival, with the country’s presence also marked in the “Osaka in Lisbon” program. The event references Expo25 and includes exhibitions, workshops, and cinema across various locations.
The municipal company EGEAC-Lisboa Cultura, organizer of the event, notes in the press release that the Festas de Lisboa “are for everyone.”
From June 14 to 22, Lisbon will host EuroPride for the first time, offering conversations, concerts, workshops, exhibitions, performances, and sports activities for the LGBTI community in various city locations.
As usual, the Marchas Populares will take place on May 30 and 31 and June 1 at MEO Arena, judged on choreographies and costumes under this year’s theme, “Alma de Lisboa.” On June 12, neighborhoods will parade down Avenida da Liberdade, with the guest group Macau Street Dance opening the procession.
Traditional activities such as weddings, thrones, and the Santo António race, along with the Trezena of Santo António featuring fado, guitar music, tours, and a theater piece, will also continue.
This year, the Festas will host 16 Arraiais Populares across nine parishes, joined by Arraial da Vila Berta and Arraial dos Navegantes.
Exhibitions include “Variações para Carlos Paredes” at the Fado Museum, showcasing musical instruments, records, printed materials, and films about the musician born 100 years ago.
The work of artist Maria Helena Vieira da Silva will be celebrated with workshops, readings, and guided tours. “The Miracle of the Sardine” at the Padrão dos Descobrimentos will honor the fish emblematic of the Festas de Lisboa.
The program, largely free, also includes outdoor cinema at Quinta das Conchas, the European Literature Night, the Night of Ideas, and the Poetry Book Fair.
For younger audiences, “Enchanting Songs,” a recreation of themes from classic animated films, will be featured.
