So that time of the year is here again. Everybody goes to Lisbon for a great time. Lots of beer, sardines and vibing during this month of June. We naturally also went!
The Festas dos Santos Populares (Festivals of the Popular Saints) are a vibrant and deeply rooted cultural celebration in Lisbon, taking place throughout June, with a peak around June 12th–13th, the feast day of Saint Anthony (Santo António), Lisbon’s patron saint. These festivities blend Catholic traditions with folk customs, and are among the most beloved and exuberant events in Portugal.
🌿 Origins and Saints Honored
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The festivals celebrate three saints:
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Santo António (June 13) – most celebrated in Lisbon.
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São João (June 24) – more prominent in Porto.
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São Pedro (June 29) – celebrated in some Lisbon neighborhoods.
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Although religious in origin, today the events are more about community and popular culture.
🎉 Main Events and Traditions in Lisbon
1. Street Parties (Arraiais Populares)
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Held in historic neighborhoods like Alfama, Mouraria, Graça, Bica, and Castelo.
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Streets are decked out with colorful streamers, paper lanterns, and balloons.
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Local residents host open-air feasts, playing pimba music (catchy folk-pop), and dancing until dawn.
2. Sardine Season (Sardinha Assada)
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Grilled sardines are the culinary star. You’ll see (and smell) them cooking on open-air charcoal grills everywhere.
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Served on bread or with potatoes and salad—simple and delicious.
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Accompanied by caldo verde, bifanas (pork sandwiches), and plenty of wine and beer.
3. The Marchas Populares (Popular Marches)
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A spectacular parade held on June 12th night on Avenida da Liberdade.
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Different Lisbon neighborhoods (bairros) compete with themed performances, marching in colorful, choreographed processions.
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Participants wear elaborate costumes, each neighborhood telling a story through their dance, music, and decor.
4. Weddings of Saint Anthony (Casamentos de Santo António)
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A long-standing tradition in which multiple couples are married in a mass wedding ceremony, often sponsored by the Lisbon city council.
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Symbolizes Santo António’s association with love and marriage.
5. Manjerico Basil Plants
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Small pots of manjerico (a type of aromatic basil) are gifted with paper carnations and humorous or romantic quadras (four-line poems).
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A traditional token of affection, often exchanged between sweethearts.
🕺 Where to Go
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Alfama: One of the liveliest places, full of fado and sardines.
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Bairro Alto: Great for late-night street parties and youthful energy.
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Avenida da Liberdade: Best for watching the Marchas Populares.
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Castelo and Graça: More local and traditional vibes.
Campo Pequeno, that’s where we went.
💡 Tips for Visitors
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Go early to get a good spot for the parades or sardine stalls.
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Expect crowds—this is a very popular celebration for both locals and tourists.
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Wear comfortable shoes—you’ll likely be walking, standing, or dancing on cobbled streets.
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Be respectful of the local neighborhoods—these are home to many lifelong residents.
Visiting Lisbon during the Santos Populares is like stepping into a sardine-scented fever dream where the entire city forgets about sleep and embraces grilled fish, questionable dance moves, and an ocean of sangria. Alfama’s labyrinthine alleys become a neon-lit dance floor, grandmas battle it out over who grills the best sardines, and strangers become best friends over plastic cups of vinho verde. It's chaos, charm, and chouriço on a stick—Lisbon at its most unfiltered and unforgettable.
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