Portugal

32
PORTUGAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO PORTUGAL
3
JANUARY
Festa de São Gonçalo e São Cristovão,
Vila Nova de Gaia, across the river
from Porto. These resemble fertility
rites and are two of the most attended
religious festivals in Portugal. An image
of São Gonçalo is paraded through the
narrow streets as merrymakers beat
drums. Boatmen along the Douro ferry
a figure of São Cristovão with a huge
head down the river. Much port wine is
drunk, and cakes baked into phallic
shapes are consumed by all. Call & 22/
374-24-00 for more information. Early
January.
FEBRUARY TO APRIL
Carnaval (Mardi Gras), throughout
the country, notably in Nazaré, Ovar,
Loulé, and Funchal (Madeira). Each
town has its unique way of celebrating
this final festival before Lent. Masked
marchers, flower-bedecked floats, and
satirically decorated vehicles mark the
occasion. Food and wine are consumed
in abundance. For more details, check
with the Portuguese National Tourist
Office (see “Visitor Information” under
“Fast Facts” in chapter 16). February or
March.
Easter, all over Portugal. Some of the
most noteworthy festivities take place at
Póvoa de Varzim, Ovar, and especially
the town of Braga, where Holy Week
processions feature masked marchers
and bejeweled floats along with fireworks,
folk dancing, and torch parades.
For more details, check with the Portuguese
National Tourist Office (see “Visitor
Information” under “Fast Facts” in
chapter 16). March or April.
MAY
Festas das Cruzes, Barcelos, on the
river Cávado, near Braga. Since 1504,
this festival has been celebrated with a
Miracle of the Cross procession centered
on a carpet made of millions
of flower petals. Women in colorful
regional dress adorn themselves with
large gold chains. A giant fireworks
display on the river signals the festival’s
end. Call & 25/381-18-82 for more
information. Early May.
First pilgrimage of the year to Fátima.
In 1930, the bishop of Leiria authorized
pilgrimages to this site. Today people
from all over the world flock here to
commemorate the first apparition of the
Virgin to the little shepherd children in
1917. The year’s last pilgrimage is in
October (see below). Make hotel reservations
months in advance, or plan to stay
in a neighboring town. For more information,
call the Fátima tourist office
(& 24/484-87-70; www.rt-leiriafatima.
pt). Mid-May.
JUNE
Feira Nacional da Agricultura (also
known as the Feira do Ribatejo), Santarém,
north of Lisbon on the river
Tagus. This is the most important agricultural
fair in Portugal. The best horses
and cattle from all provinces are on
display, and horse shows and bullfights
enliven the festival. Food pavilions feature
various regional cuisines. For more
information, call & 24/330-03-00.
Early June.
Feast of St. John, Porto, home of the
famous port wine. Honoring São João
(St. John), this colorful festival features
bonfires, all-night singing and dancing,
and processions of locals in colorful
costumes. Call & 22/339-34-70 (www.
portoturismo.pt) for more information.
June 23 and 24.
Festas dos Santos Populares, throughout
Lisbon. Celebrations begin on June
13 and 14 in the Alfama, with feasts
honoring Saint Anthony. Parades commemorating
the city’s patron saint
feature marchas (parading groups of
singers and musicians) along Avenida