The program for the festive event in the Aveiro district was unveiled to representatives of 24 associations, including carnival groups, runway collectives, and samba schools, involving about 2,000 participants who are the main performers in the event’s parades.
Following changes in the municipal executive after the October elections, the budget for the Entrudo vareiro 2026 is yet to be defined. However, a city council source suggested that the allocated funds would likely be “similar to the last edition,” which cost around one million euros for the overall program. During the Carnival Tuesday and the four preceding days, the city hosted approximately 150,000 visitors.
The ticket prices, however, are expected to “slightly increase” due to higher expenses related to structure rentals and police services, according to the municipality.
For instance, tickets for access to the Magic Night on Carnival Monday, previously sold in advance for five euros and six euros on the day, will now remain the same if purchased early but will cost 7.5 euros on the event date.
Regarding the Sunday Grand Parade, advanced ticket sales will see an increase of 50 cents. Stand tickets will continue to cost 15 euros if bought on the day, but the advance price will rise from 13 to 13.5 euros, while pedestrian tickets will maintain the 10-euro price on the day, increasing from 7.5 to eight euros beforehand.
Numerous events will offer free entry, including the Quim Barreiros show and the Farrapada parade, where the public is encouraged to dress up. For paid activities, the municipality offers early bird benefits: “The first 1,000 tickets for the Folia Space come with a discount, and lower prices are available for all other tickets until January 30.”
Whether it’s for highlights like the Saturday night samba schools parade or the Tuesday Grand Parade, or concerts at the Folia Space with artists such as Brazil’s Jorge Aragão, the Luso-Angolan Dillaz, and Portuguese performers Mizzy Miles and Phoenis RDC, all ticketed events will be available online starting December 1 and at physical locations in the city from December 9.
Mayor Domingos Silva is confident that the ticket price adjustments will not affect what he anticipates as “an outstanding edition that honors traditions and offers diverse experiences, cementing the Ovar Carnival as a national benchmark event.”
Ensuring “a strong security presence and defined strategies to enhance the audience experience,” the social-democratic mayor highlights the preparations being conducted with “passion, dedication, and countless hours of effort” by the approximately 2,000 participants.
“First-time visitors to the Ovar Carnival will surely return, as the street celebrations are as genuine as they are contagious,” he concludes.
