The best festivals in Lisbon: in the neighborhoods and the most alternative in the city

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The grills and beer barrels are already on the streets, popular musicians are tuning their throats and there are stages in practically every neighborhood in the city. Welcome to the best arraiais in Lisbon!

If you follow the smell of grilled sardines, you’ll come across most of the arraiais, but the best GPS is the itinerary we’ve prepared for you.

Choose your favorite neighborhoods (or run to all the chapels) and get ready for the liveliest month in the capital.

Festivals in Lisbon’s neighborhoods (updated)

The festivities of Saint Anthony or, if you like, the Popular Saints of Lisbon last the whole month of June. So here’s everything you need to know to have the best time in these Lisbon neighborhoods.

Arraial de São Miguel/Alfama

There are already dates for the famous Santos Populares dances in Alfama. Better known as Arraial de São Miguel, it’s on these little steps in the Alfama district that some of the best moments of Lisbon’s Santo António festivities take place.

Address: in the streets of Alfama
Schedule: May 30 and 31, June 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28

Arraial da Vila Berta

The famous Arraial da Vila Berta, in the Graça district, has been going on for more than 10 years (it started as a joke by neighbors to celebrate the town’s centenary) and this year it’s back with lots of entertainment, plenty of food and drink and “the best Portuguese popular music”.

The night of St. Anthony’s Day, the 12th, will last until 4am to the sound of the best popular music, but on the previous days there will be plenty of room for partying with other Portuguese bands and artists.

Address: Vila Berta (Graça)
Hours: from May 31 to June 12

Santos in Santos

Until June 15, Terrapleno de Santos will once again host one of Lisbon’s liveliest festivals, with entertainment for young and old, Santos em Santos.

As well as the usual food and drink, this is one of the Lisbon festivals where you can also enjoy various rides such as the Ferris wheel and other merry-go-rounds, as well as attend some concerts with nationally renowned artists.

Address: Terrapleno de Santos (next to K Urban Beach)
Hours: from May 16 to June 15

Grande Arraial Avenidas Novas (Campo Pequeno)

The Grande Arraial das Avenidas Novas is once again part of the city’s Santos Populares festivities and will transform the gardens around Campo Pequeno into an authentic Portuguese music and party park, where you’re sure to find plenty of sardines with cornbread , among other typical snacks.

Address: Praça do Campo Pequeno
Hours: May 30th to June 15th

Benfica Great Festival

As usual at any Santo António festival in Lisbon, at the Grande Arraial de Benfica you’ll be infected with an incredible festive atmosphere, where food and drink and popular music take center stage, this year with an incredible line-up.

Address: Alameda Padre Álvaro Proença (Benfica)
Hours: June 19th to 22nd

Santos à Campolide

This year, “the great festival of central Lisbon”, as they call it in Campolide, will run until June 14, and promises to bring entertainment, music, dancing, sardines and the same good mood as always to Quinta do Zé Pinto.

As has happened in other editions, Santos à Campolide will offer a luxury musical line-up, with some of the best Portuguese popular music artists, such as José Malhoa, Quim Barreiros, Non Stop, Ruth Marlene, Toy among many other surprises.

Address: Rua de Campolide (Quinta do Zé Pinto), opposite the EMEL parking lot.
Hours: May 30 to June 14

Arraial da Praça da Alegria

This is one of Lisbon’s quieter festivals. Every Friday, Saturday and national holiday eve you’ll be able to enjoy live music and, of course, plenty of food, including delicious pork on the spit, grilled sardines and drinks to keep you entertained all night long.

But there are more surprises that you really can’t miss. Shall we get to know them?

Address: Praça da Alegria (Alfredo Keil Garden)
Hours: May 26 to June 22

Arraial de Alvalade

This year’s Arraial de Alvalade has one of the most complete programs, with a very inviting musical line-up.

The program also includes activities for the little ones, who can enjoy the inflatables.

Address: São João de Brito Municipal Sports Complex
Hours: June 12th to 14th

Arraial da Misericórdia, in Bairro Alto

The well-known Arraial da Misericórdia is Bairro Alto’s way of celebrating the Santos Populares festivities in Lisbon, with lots of entertainment , live music and plenty to eat and drink.

Address: Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara (Bairro Alto)
Days: May 30 to June 29

Arraial dos Navegantes

This year, the Arraial dos Navegantes returns for four days, for its 21st edition.

One of the features of the Arraial dos Navegantes is the dedicated space for the little ones, the “Arraialito”, where volunteers promote fun activities with the children.

But there are many more surprises to enjoy at this festival in one of the city’s most modern neighborhoods.

Address: Passeio Levante 6 (in Parque das Nações next to the Church of Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes)
Times: from June 6th to 8th

Santo Amaro Pilgrimage in Alcântara

From June 25 to 30, this Lisbon neighborhood will host the traditional Santo Am aro Pilgrimage and, as always, there will be plenty of entertainment near the Santo Amaro Chapel.

Best of all, admission is free and the musical line-up is incredible!

Address: Alto de Santo Amaro
Hours: June 24th to 29th

My Penha is Beautiful” Festival

The Parish Council of Penha de França will be bringing together the parish’s communities in a solidarity festival at the Sapadores Market, in Rua da Penha de França, with Ruth Marlene, Tanya, Toy Cascão, Jorge Guerreiro and Bloco Secretinho, among others.

From June 7 to 12, in addition to the traditional bifanas and sardines, there will also be vegan options on all the stalls.

Address: Rua da Penha de França (Sapadores Market)
Hours: from June 7th to 12th

Great Festival of Belém

Better known as the Grande Arraial de Belém, this festival offers the best view of the Tagus in an event ideal for families.

Address: Rua Tristão Vaz 22 (Parque dos Moinhos de Santana)
Hours: May 30 to June 15

Praça de Londres – Areeiro

Address: between Praça de Londres and Areeiro
Opening hours: from May 29 to June 1

Arraial de Santa Engrácia

Address: Calçada dos Barbadinhos
Hours: from May 30th to June 28th

Arraial de São Vicente (Graça)

Address: Largo da Graça
Hours: June 5th to 13th

Ajuda Festival

Address: Largo da Paz
Hours: June 11 to 14

GDE Combatentes

Address: Rua Possidónio da Silva 206 (Estrela)
Opening hours: May 30 to June 28

Arraial de Carnide

Address: Rua Neves Costa
Hours: until June 28

Arraial da Bica

Address: in the streets of Bica
Opening hours: until June 29

Lisbon’s alternative festivals

It’s not just Lisbon’s neighborhoods that celebrate Santo António. From rooftops to gardens, there are places in the city where you wouldn’t believe it was possible to celebrate the capital’s biggest festivities.

Arraial of the Renovar a Mouraria Association

Santo António in Mouraria is already a hallmark of Lisbon’s Santos Populares, especially because this Lisbon neighbourhood is characterized by its multiculturalism, making it the most diverse and inclusive festival in the city, with a cultural programme that is also very different from what you might expect to find at any other festival in the city.

Address: Largo da Rosa (Mouraria)
Hours: May 29th to June 21st

Unicorn Festival in Beato

There’s no shortage of festivals in Lisbon to suit all tastes, even in the ‘alternative’ category. So if you want to party in a technological ecosystem, that’s also possible.

On June 6, starting at 6pm, the Beato Innovation District will open its doors for its own party, with lots of entertainment and, of course, networking.

Address: Travessa da Manutenção Militar, 118
Time: June 6, starting at 6pm
Tickets: free entry, but pre-registration required

EuroPride

As part of the Lisbon Festivities calendar, the capital is hosting EuroPride for the first time this year , from June 14 to 22.

The event includes an intense program with many activities, such as concerts, talks, workshops, exhibitions and parties for the LGBTI community.

One of the big moments is scheduled for June 21 with a march from Saldanha to Praça do Comércio.

Address: various locations in Lisbon
Hours: from June 14 to 22
Tickets: free, just register online

Santos at Doca da Marinha

The Popular Saints return to Doca da Marinha from June 4 to 21 for their 4th edition, with a more welcoming and safer proposal, maintaining tradition and the festive atmosphere by the Tagus.

The event will have limited capacity, access control, reinforced security and a varied musical program, as part of the project to revitalize Lisbon’s waterfront.

Address: Avenida Infante D. Henrique A (Doca da Marinha)
Opening hours: from June 4 to 21 (Thursdays and Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holiday eves)
Tickets: free

Popular Saints at Taberna do Bairro do Avillez

For three days, from June 10 to 12, the Taberna do Bairro do Avillez, in Chiado, will be transformed into an authentic Lisbon festival.

With a special Santos Populares menu, you can enjoy pregos, bifanas, pastéis de nata and a choice of three drinks , all accompanied by live music from “Quinteto do Bairro”.

To guarantee your place, prior reservation is required for the themed menu, available for €25 per person.

Address: Rua Nova da Trindade, 18, Lisbon.
Hours: June 10, 11 and 12, from 6pm to 11pm
Tickets: prior reservation for the menu, available for €25 per person

Creative reinvention of the sardine

During the month of Santos Populares, the Varanda de Lisboa and the Rooftop Bar at Hotel Mundial are presenting exclusive creations by chef Celso Padeiro, in a kind of reinterpretation of the traditional sardine in honor of the Lisbon Festivities.

The Varanda de Lisboa features a starter of sardines fed on brioche with roasted bell pepper textures. At the Rooftop Bar, you can try a braised sardine taco with guacamole and coriander sprouts.

The Rooftop Bar also offers sunsets with signature cocktails and DJ sets for a vibrant atmosphere , always on Fridays from 18:30 to 21:30.

Address: Hotel Mundial, Praça Martim Moniz, 2
Reservations: more information about Varanda de Lisboa and Rooftop Bar

Festa do Arromba

In Lisbon, Saint Anthony reigns supreme. However, you can always take advantage of the month of June to experience a little of the energy of São João with the “Festa do Arromba”, an initiative that aims to celebrate the festive spirit of the Northeast (in Brazil).

The program includes typical food and many hours of forró entertainment. In this context, various performances are planned, including Aline Araújo’s quartet, Carol Benigno’s trio and a DJ set, among other attractions. You’re also invited to wear a costume to match the atmosphere.

Address: Av. Aquino Ribeiro Machado 74, in the Parque das Nações – Oriente area
Time: June 20, starting at 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: €10 on sale here

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