The Popular Saints in Portugal are one of the most highly anticipated festivities of the year. During the month of June, the Portuguese streets are filled with joy, music, dance and traditions.
These celebrations not only strengthen community ties and provide unforgettable moments for residents and visitors alike, they are also an excellent opportunity to get to know Portuguese culture and its centuries-old traditions in all their authenticity.
These festivities are celebrated all over the country, but the most popular are the festivities in Lisbon and Porto, which celebrate Saint Anthony and Saint John, respectively.
01 | Lisboa – Santo António
In Lisbon, the Saint Anthony, known as Saint Anthony of Padua, is celebrated in grand fashion from June 12 to 13, with parades, festivals and popular parades that fill the historic neighborhoods with color and joy.
The famous Marchas Populares are not to be missed. Every year this tradition takes place during the official holiday of Saint Anthony, the patron saint of Lisbon, on the night of June 12-13. During the parades, various districts of the city dress up in handmade costumes to march and dance to the sound of traditional music.
In addition to the Marchas, it’s also essential to immerse in the essence and festivity of Lisbon’s street celebrations. Some not to be missed are: the Arraial da Misericórdia in Bairro Alto, the Arraial da Mouraria and the Arraial de São Miguel in the streets of Alfama.
“Enquanto os bairros cantarem Enquanto houver arraiais Enquanto houver Santo António Lisboa não morre mais.” (Amália Rodrigues)
02 | Porto – São João
In Porto, the St. John’s festival on June 24 is one of the most famous in Portugal and the most highly anticipated by its local residents. The whole city comes alive with fireworks, music, dancing and traditional delicacies. Also during Porto’s festivities, you can experience some popular traditions, such as “martelinhos”, which is a “soft squeaky plastic hammers”, used for hitting passers-by on the head, and the launching of hot air balloons into the sky. Douro’s shores become the epicenter of the these celebrations, and is also where people gather to watch the firework displays. Ribeira and Foz are one of the best places to enjoy this unique festival.
The St. John’s Festival is the perfect time to visit Porto and get to know the culture and history of this unique city.
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