Holidays
On holidays, banks, authorities, and many shops are closed. Supermarkets have reduced opening hours. Restaurants and tourist facilities usually remain open.
| Date | Holiday | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Ano Novo (New Year) | Everything closed |
| Variable | Carnaval (Carnival Tuesday) | Not an official holiday, but many have time off. Large parades in Torres Vedras, Loulé, and Ovar |
| Variable | Sexta-feira Santa (Good Friday) | Quiet holiday, processions |
| Variable | Domingo de Páscoa (Easter Sunday) | Family celebration |
| April 25 | Dia da Liberdade (Freedom Day) | Commemoration of the Carnation Revolution 1974. Celebrations throughout the country |
| May 1 | Dia do Trabalhador (Labor Day) | Demonstrations and rallies |
| Variable | Corpo de Deus (Corpus Christi) | 60 days after Easter |
| June 10 | Dia de Portugal (National Day) | Death anniversary of Camões, celebrations in Lisbon and worldwide in the diaspora |
| August 15 | Assunção de Nossa Senhora (Assumption of Mary) | Pilgrimages and village festivals |
| October 5 | Implantação da República (Republic Day) | Commemoration of the proclamation of the Republic 1910 |
| November 1 | Todos os Santos (All Saints) | Cemetery visits, flowers, and candles |
| December 1 | Restauração da Independência (Restoration of Independence) | Commemoration of the restoration of independence from Spain 1640 |
| December 8 | Imaculada Conceição (Immaculate Conception) | Portugal is dedicated to the patron saint |
| December 25 | Natal (Christmas) | Family celebration, Bacalhau on Christmas Eve |
Additionally, each city has its own Feriado Municipal (municipal holiday), usually in honor of the patron saint. The most important: Lisbon on June 13 (Santo António), Porto on June 24 (São João — the largest street festival in Portugal, where people hit each other on the head with plastic hammers and release lanterns).
💡 Tipp
On São João (June 24) in Porto, people gather all night in the alleys of Ribeira and the city center. They eat grilled sardines, drink Vinho Verde, and playfully tap strangers on the head with plastic hammers (formerly leeks!). One of the best folk festivals in Europe.