The Colete Encarnado festivities, whose program was unveiled this afternoon by the Vila Franca de Xira Town Hall, in the Lisbon district, aim to celebrate the bulls, the campinos, the horses, and the Ribatejo culture.
Similar to previous editions, the event will bring bull runs and races, musical entertainment, gatherings, grilled sardines, street food, and fireworks to the municipality of Vila Franca de Xira.
In statements to the press, Fernando Paulo Ferreira (PS), Mayor of Vila Franca de Xira, emphasized the importance of this initiative, ensuring “entertainment for all ages and tastes.”
“Special days will be experienced during this unique celebration within the context of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, which in 2020 was recognized as one of the seven wonders of Portuguese popular culture and, in 2024, distinguished with the “5 Estrelas Regiões” award in the category of festivals, fairs, and pilgrimages.”
Musical highlights of this edition include performances by Tony Carreira (July 5) and Nininho Vaz Maia (July 4), as well as Buba Espinho (July 4), Festa M80 (July 5), and Gisela João (July 6).
One of the main events of the festival will take place on the afternoon of July 5, with a tribute to the campino figure at the town square, followed by a horse parade and a bull run.
Fernando Paulo Ferreira noted that one of the new features introduced in the previous edition, which will be retained this year, is a lounge space designed for families, with areas for breastfeeding and diaper changing.
This year’s edition of Colete Encarnado will also maintain increased public transportation options, including the provision of two free “special” trains departing at 03:20 from Vila Franca de Xira, stopping at all stations and stops up to Lisbon/Santa Apolónia.
In the municipality of Vila Franca de Xira, free shuttle buses will also operate between 17:00 and 05:00, departing (and returning) every half hour from Castanheira do Ribatejo and Povos in the north and from Vialonga, Póvoa de Santa Iria, Alverca, and Alhandra in the south, stopping at locations with large parking areas.
The Vila Franca de Xira Town Hall estimates that the Colete Encarnado festivities will attract between 200,000 to 300,000 people to the municipality.
