CALENDAR OF EVENTS PORTO AND THE NORTH


Rally Portugal, Matosinhos, May 17-20 Get ready for skids and spins at Portugal’s stage of the World Rally Championship. Tricky, technical driving in gorgeous surroundings, from Guimarães castle to the streets of Braga. rallydeportugal.pt


NOS Primavera Sound, Porto, June 7-9 An eclectic alternative music festival in the lush setting of Portugal’s largest city park, featuring big names and fresh talent. Headlined by Aphex Twin, Bon Iver and Skepta last year.


nosprimaverasound.com


São João Festival, Porto, June 23-24 See Porto’s Old Town draped with bunting, filled with dancers and lit by fireworks at one of Europe’s liveliest street festivals. visitporto.travel


CENTRO DE PORTUGAL


Óbidos Chocolate Festival, Óbidos, March-April The pretty streets of this medieval town are lined with chocolatiers and pastry-makers from around the globe. Try, buy, and learn with culinary classes. centerofportugal.com


Boom Festival, Idanha-A-Nova, July 22-29 Camp by an idyllic lake for Europe’s biennial version of Burning Man, with psychedelic trance, street theatre, fire shows and holistic workshops. boomfestival.org


MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Peniche and Cascais, October The planet’s best surfers head for Portugal’s best breaks to take part in a competition that’s part of the World Surf League Tour. worldsurfleague.com


LISBON


Lisbon Fish & Flavours, Lisbon, April 5-15 Like fish? Love seafood? Make a beeline for this gastrofest, which marries gourmet food demos by chefs from the city’s best restaurants with live music and entertainment.


peixemlisboa.com/en ALENTEJO


Terras Sem Sombra Festival, various locations, February-June This celebration of spiritual music is as much about where it takes place – in some of the most beautiful churches and monuments of the Baixo Alentejo – as about its classical music, guided tours and arts masterclasses. festivalterrassemsombra.org


Marvão International Music Festival, Marvão, July 20-29 A pretty walled town set high on a mountain overlooking the Alentejo countryside is the beautiful backdrop for a classical music festival. marvaomusic.com


FMM Sines, Sines, July One of Europe’s most significant world music festivals takes place in a range of picturesque venues along the Alentejo coast. en.fmmsines.pt


ALGARVE


Algarve 365, various locations, October 2017-May 2018 Nothing showcases the cultural life of the Algarve better than this; 1,000 performances of music, dance, theatre, exhibitions, history and more.


Festival MED, Loulé, July World music, dance, art installations, cooking demonstrations and theatre – more than 500 hours of live events bring thousands to celebrate in the town of Loulé. festivalmed.pt/en


LISBON (continued)


Eurovision Song Contest, Lisbon, May 8-12 Fresh from its first Eurovision victory, Portugal is gearing up to host the 63rd edition of the show at the MEO Arena. Expect lots of flag-waving, obscene amounts of glitter, and plenty of cheesy tunes. eurovision.tv


Lisboa Festival, Lisbon, June The capital celebrates its patron saint, Anthony, with music, dancing, parades, plus sardines and good wine. festasdelisboa.com


ALGARVE (continued)


Sagres Birdwatching Festival, Beliche Fortress, Sagres, October In October, thousands of migratory birds pass through Sagres on their way to Africa. This four-day festival features a range of events including field trips, environmental workshops and bird ringing. birdwatchingsagres.com


MADEIRA


Madeira Flower Festival, Funchal, April 19-May 6


Funchal celebrates spring in glorious colour, with flower-covered floats, artist-designed flower carpets and musical performances. madeiraallyear.com


Madeira Wine Festival, Funchal and Câmara de Lobos, August 26-September 9 During the grape harvest, centuries of viticultural tradition come to life with street entertainment, parades celebrating local culture, and the treading of the grapes. madeirawinefestival.com


Columbus Festival, Porto Santo, September 13-15 Centring on historical re-enactments of the explorer’s time on the island, there are period costumes, a food and craft market, circus arts, music and dancing. madeiraallyear.com


AZORES


Azores Airlines Rally, São Miguel island, March Based on São Miguel in the mid-Atlantic this rally is famed for its scenic route, taking drivers along the rim of the Sete Cidades volcanic crater, among other beauty spots. azoresrallye.com


AngraJazz, Angra do Heroísmo in Terceira island, October 4-7


The best bands and musicians flock from around the world to Angra do Heroismo for a four-day festival of all things jazz. edicao2017.angrajazz.com/en


Triangle Adventure Run, Faial, Pico and São Jorge islands, October Spanning more than 60 miles, three islands, and three days, this trail crosses the Biosphere Reserves on São Jorge and Capelinhos volcano on Faial. azorestrailrun.com


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