The Promotorres organization announced that the selection process for the Carnival theme started in March with a social media appeal inviting attendees to submit their ideas. “From the initial collection, 24 proposals were shortlisted for the next voting phase,” the organization stated.
The second phase involved various entities representing the carnival culture of Torres Vedras, including the city council, Promotorres, carnival associations, float builders, the Carnival monarchs, the West Region Commercial, Industrial and Services Association, and local schools participating in the school parade.
“From this voting process, the 12 most popular themes were chosen for the final decision by the revelers, which concluded at 11:59 PM on May 21 through the official Torres Vedras Carnival app,” the organization detailed.
With 319 out of 1,633 total votes, the theme ‘Enchanted World’ garnered the most support and will be the central theme for the Torres Vedras Carnival scheduled from February 13 to 18, 2026.
In 2022, the Torres Vedras Carnival was designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, celebrated as “the most Portuguese of all” for its adherence to traditional Portuguese Carnival festivities.
The event is renowned for its social and political satire, unique floats, extensive public participation, and community involvement.
Key features of the Torres Vedras Carnival include local men portraying the King and Queen, a “dynasty” of royal titles, male participants dressed as ‘matrafonas’ (men in women’s clothing), the ceremonial enthronement of the monarchs, and the active community engagement.
Last March, the Torres Vedras Municipality submitted a bid to nominate the local Carnival as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity to UNESCO.
“The application aims to reinforce the cultural significance of the Torres Vedras Carnival, ensure its preservation, and increase its international visibility,” the city council highlighted at the time.
The Torres Vedras Carnival, which marked its 100th anniversary in 2023, is rooted in Portuguese Carnival traditions that trace back to pagan winter festivals and fertility rites incorporated into the Christian liturgical calendar.
The spontaneous Carnival celebrations in Torres Vedras date back to the 19th century, but it was in 1923 that a local republican elite and an emerging commercial and industrial social group organized the first street festivities.
