Home

Download

Benefits

Summers of Lisbon, Please follow me on instagram @_aayush_guptaa_

unsplash

News

Santos Populares in Portugal: A Colorful Celebration of Saints

Santos Populares in Portugal: 

A Colorful Celebration of Saints

 (Popular Saints) is a joyful Portuguese festival that celebrates three Catholic saints:

It’s not just a religious occasion – it’s a 

 filled with street parades, folk music, dancing, traditional foods, and colorful decorations. The heart of the festivities is in 

, but celebrations pop up in towns across the country.

 Lisbon transforms into a street party with marching parades (marchas populares), basil plants, and grilled sardines.

 Porto’s streets come alive with music, bonfires, fireworks, and the tradition of hitting strangers on the head with plastic hammers!

, and other towns Quieter than the previous two, but still full of charm, food, and music.

The Festivities Start Early – Late May to Early June

Although the main nights of celebration fall on the feast days of the popular saints — Santo António (June 13), São João (June 24), and São Pedro (June 29) — the party spirit starts bubbling well in advance. By late May and early June, cities like Lisbon and Porto already begin to transform. Streets are strung with colorful paper garlands, popup bars and grills appear on every corner. Locals start hosting neighborhood parties, and you’ll often hear traditional 

 music echoing through alleyways long before the saints' actual feast days. It’s a gradual build-up that sets the tone for a full month of joy, dancing, and community spirit.

 Neighborhoods like Alfama, Graça, and Mouraria in Lisbon or Ribeira in Porto are the best places to find live music, dancing, and open-air bars.

 Grilled over charcoal and served with bread or potatoes – sardines are the star of the festival. Don’t forget caldo verde (kale soup) and bifanas (pork sandwiches)!

 These cute potted basil plants are traditional gifts, often with a poem attached. Just don’t sniff the leaves – rub them gently to release the scent!

 on June 12th is the most famous – local groups parade in costume down Avenida da Liberdade, dancing and competing in choreography.

 In Porto, the São João fireworks over the Douro River are spectacular. People release paper lanterns into the sky and jump over bonfires for good luck.

 Try sangria, beer, or vinho verde (light green wine) as you wander through the decorated alleys filled with bunting, music, and good vibes.

CONTENT

Related Articles