It’s Summer, It’s Portimão: Campaign Launches City’s Vibrant Summer Line-up
Portimão has officially kicked off its summer programme with the campaign “É Verão, É Portimão”, unveiling a rich and diverse events calendar set to animate the city and its surroundings through to September. Local associations, parishes, and promoters have come together to curate a diverse range of cultural, leisure, and family-friendly activities, catering to both residents and the thousands of tourists who visit the Algarve each year.
Among the many highlights are well-established events such as the Sardine Festival, the World Press Photo exhibition, and the Chaminé D’Ouro Festival. Recent additions like A Noitada, Quintas ao Luar, and the InDireita Street Fest are also expected to draw large crowds once again.
The full programme was unveiled during an official launch event in Praça da República (Alameda), a central stage for many of the city’s activities. The session also included the presentation of a new branding image for local commerce and the “Bairros Digitais” project, both municipal initiatives aimed at invigorating business in the city centre—efforts that will be complemented by the summer’s events.
Literature Opens the Season
The season begins on June 20 with the return of the Portimão Book Fair, now held in a revamped format at the Antiga Lota. Running through July 6, the fair features open-air stands, book launches, author talks, debates, and storytelling sessions for children.
On June 26, the second edition of Quintas ao Luar brings music and local talent to the city centre, promoting extended shopping hours from 6 pm to 11 pm. The event returns on July 31, August 21, and September 11.
Soon after, on June 29, the InDireita Street Fest transforms Rua Direita into a pedestrian zone of concerts, artisan markets, and cultural interaction. It will return on September 28.
AfroNation and Cultural Anchors
July marks the return of the internationally acclaimed AfroNation Festival at Praia da Rocha (July 9–11), which in 2024 drew daily crowds of 40,000. Other confirmed fixtures include the Lota Cool Market (July 16–20) and the World Press Photo Exhibition (July 20–August 10), showcasing some of the most powerful photojournalism of the year.
Two of Portimão’s flagship summer events dominate the end of July and early August. A Noitada, returning July 25–26, will again fill the city with light, music, and performance art across multiple locations.
Kicking off on August 5, the Sardine Festival will open with a historical re-enactment of the sardine offloading tradition at Cais Gil Eanes, celebrating the fishing and canning heritage of Portimão. The event’s music line-up features a stellar cast: Rui Veloso, Pedro Abrunhosa, Diogo Piçarra, Nena, Para Sempre Marco, and Resistência, across six nights of concerts.
According to Mayor Álvaro Bila, these are two of the municipality’s key anchor events. “We have a wide variety of initiatives, many organised in partnership with local parishes and associations,” he stated. “These events are carefully assessed for their economic impact. Last year, we partnered with the University of Algarve to study the return generated by A Noitada, the Sardine Festival, and the Christmas/New Year programme.”
August Stars: Calema and Da Weasel
The Festival Mar Me Quer returns from August 13 to 15 with a strong line-up including Calema and Da Weasel, the latter reuniting for a limited tour to relive their greatest hits.
Later in the month, Portimão Arena will host the International Masters Futsal (August 23–24), while Arrebita Portimão, a culinary street festival, will bring new flavours to the Alameda and surrounding area on September 6–7, rounding out the summer season with a nod to local gastronomy and commerce. The Arena will also host Investor Talks 25 on September 13–14.
Parish Events and Local Highlights
In addition to city-wide programming, the parishes of Portimão, Alvor, and Mexilhoeira Grande offer a range of festivities. In Portimão, notable dates include the D.A.M.A. concert on July 12, celebrating the parish’s anniversary, the Chaminé de Ouro Festival on July 19, and the João César Accordion Festival on August 23.
In Alvor, the Festa do Senhor Jesus de Alvor lights up the riverside from August 14 to 17. Mexilhoeira Grande hosts several community-driven events: Do You Remember (August 1), the Youth Week (August 29–September 6), and the Berbigão Festival (September 13–14), celebrating local shellfish traditions.
Sports, Theatre, and More
Alongside major festivals, the summer calendar includes a variety of events in sports, theatre, and the arts. These include “A Grande Fantochada” by Hugo Van Der Ding, Verão Azul, Portimão Wine Tasting, Humor.Ptm, and several exhibitions: “Tabernas de Portimão”, “Há Fado na Lota”, and “Nuno Júdice – The Pleasure of Images”. Sporting highlights include the 5th Portimão MTB Marathon – Algarve XCM Cup and the National 3×3 Basketball Circuit.
The full programme for June through September is available at:
https://tinyurl.com/Verao-2025
