Bela Vista Park once again became the epicenter of major live concerts in the Portuguese capital, after more than 50 artists accepted the invitation to perform at the 5th edition of the MEO Kalorama summer music festival, which this year welcomed more than 110,000 people to this incredible natural amphitheater.
We were there for all three days, from August 28 to 30, and the overall impression, in our opinion, is extremely positive, with this festival offering increasingly better and more comfortable conditions to everyone who attends.
And in terms of the musical lineup, it remains one of the most eclectic, featuring genres as diverse as hip-hop and metal, with something for every generation.
The verdict: organization and venue earn high marks
Let’s get right to the point: was it a good festival or not? If you’re in the habit of attending music festivals, you know full well that all the logistics before, during, and after can make or break an event of this scale.
Well, this year, MEO Kalorama excelled in almost every detail; it wasn’t quite perfect only because there’s always that one little thing, here and there, that we heard people commenting on while waiting in line or in the middle of concerts.
However, nothing that detracts from a 5th edition that will have much to teach the next edition in 2027, which has since been confirmed by the organizers.
From the very first day, we noticed incredibly easy access, with several lanes separated by barriers leading up the avenue before the gates of Bela Vista Park, allowing for a very smooth entry without major complications.
Once inside—and this may just be our impression— we noticed less visual clutter from advertisers; we have nothing against them, as we know they’re essential for this type of event, but we noticed a greater sense of calm throughout the venue, thanks to the absence of the traditional lines for the “hunt for freebies.”
The restrooms—or at least their cleanliness— are also worth mentioning, since while there are still lines, they move smoothly enough that no one gets frustrated waiting . A major factor in this was the fact that there were many different areas where restrooms were available.
As for the food court, we still miss the area under the trees at the top of the hill (to the right when facing the main stage), although this year Repsol introduced a new feature, with some well-known chefs taking over the space at the top of the hill.
However, although more attractive and welcoming, the new venue proved so pleasant that many festivalgoers were reluctant to leave, which led to a shortage of tables for the thousands of people in attendance.
In short, MEO Kalorama 2026 “shone” in a few areas that we consider very important for anyone attending an event of this kind:
- Ease of Access
- “Luxury” restrooms
- Food Court: So Comfortable It’s Almost a Problem
- Fewer lines for the swag hunt
Day 1: Robbie Williams’ charisma and the Canadian duo of the moment
The opening day set an eclectic tone, with a lineup that ranged from global stadium pop to the rawest alternative music. Highlights included:
- Robbie Williams
- Angine de Poitrine
- Interpol
- Maro
Day 2: When Hip-Hop and Soul Made History in Lisbon
If there were just one word to describe the second day, it would be “historic,” with highlights on every stage:
- Ms. Lauryn Hill
- Sam The Kid with Orchestra and Orelha Negra
- Criolo, Amaro, and Dino
Day 3: Endless punk energy, and metal that brought generations together
We’ll admit we’d had our eye on this day ever since the lineup for the three days of MEO Kalorama began to take shape; we’re self-proclaimed “rockers,” so seeing the shredding guitar riffs of Turnstile and Deftones on the same day left us brimming with expectations that, fortunately, were not disappointed in the least.
- Turnstile
- Deftones
- Peaches
The 2026 MEO Kalorama proved, once again, that one of the keys to its success is its focus on the experience; from clean restrooms to posters curated with surgical precision, this is undoubtedly the right formula for success. Now we just have to wait for the lineup announcements for the 6th edition.
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