The festivals of Saint Anthony, patron saint of blessings of Lisbon, are the first of the calendar and take place on June 12 and 13. These are the most interesting days in the capital like parades, parties and even wedding bells. Fill the streets and close traffic in   older  neighborhoods , especially Alfama, Mouraria and Graça.  During these days, and sometimes during the previous days, locals leave their homes and fill the streets with cobblestones to dance, eat, drink. and rejoice. The parties are held all night on Friday and Saturday nights - going home before sunrise is considered too early to end the night.

The Popular March Parade takes place on  Avenida da Liberdade   , on June 12; The religious procession takes place on June 13, from the church of St. Anthony in  Alfama  , where it is said that St. Anthony was born in the late 12th century.

 

The main ones are the Lisbon Festivities, from June 12th to 13th, Saint Anthonys Day, and Porto, from the 23rd to the 24th of June, when St. John is celebrated. people come to the street to eat, drink and have fun in the streets of the popular neighborhoods, full of bows, colorful balloons and basil smells.


In  Lisbon,  the popular marches of each neighborhood parade along  Avenida da Liberdade , filling that artery with hundreds of extras, music, color and a lot of public. But the flood and the animation are not less in the streets of these neighborhoods, especially  Alfama , but also for  Graça, Bica, Mouraria or Madragoa . In the broad medieval streets and alleys, you eat green broth and roasted sardines, sing and dance in the night. Another high point is the procession of St. Anthony, who leaves his church on the 13th, in Alfama, next to the Cathedral, where the saint was born, about 1193.



 

 

No matter the season, there is always a festival in  Portugal  , and locals know how to throw a party. Among the best known events are the  open air concerts  and  the Popular Saints Festivals  , especially those in Lisbon and Porto, but there are many others to try and enjoy. Many celebrations take place around religious events, some of them belong to myths and legends, and some are organized simply for fun (well, theyre all fun). There are many events to check out in Portugal, but the following festivals are among the best.

 

 

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