Portimão Summer Holidays Programme Introduces New Features
Earlier registrations, more places, and new rules designed to expand access for families
The Municipality of Portimão has increased capacity for its municipal “Summer Holidays” programme, reaching a record total of 2,600 places—an increase of 300 compared to last year.
For the 2026 edition, the local authority has not only brought forward the registration period to early May, with the first opening date set for May 11, but has also introduced a priority system aimed at broadening access and ensuring the programme benefits a larger number of children and young people in the municipality.
Between July 1 and August 7, children and young people in Portimão aged 6 to 18 will be able to take part in an expanded edition of the “Portimão Summer Holidays” programme.
This flagship municipal initiative, which covers sports, cultural, and environmental activities, has been strategically adjusted this year to better serve local families.
A fairer and more accessible summer
The main change in this edition concerns how places are allocated.
To ensure municipal investment reaches more families, priority will be given to first-time participants. Each parent or guardian may secure a place for one child in a preferred session. Requests for a second or third session for the same participant will be placed on a waiting list and only confirmed if places remain available after new applicants have been placed.
This model aims to ensure a fairer distribution of the 2,600 available places, preventing some participants from occupying multiple sessions while others are left out. The priority system therefore shifts from a first-come, first-served model to one based on equitable access, with each participant prioritised for their first registration.
New programmes and expanded activities
The 2026 edition introduces “Youth Holidays,” a new programme dedicated exclusively to young people aged 12 to 18, based at Lugar do Rio – Portimão Youth Space.
Operating on a more flexible schedule (2:00 pm to 6:00 pm), the programme includes workshops on artificial intelligence, clothing upcycling, short film production, urban dance, social media photography, creative writing, and urban art, as well as sessions on mental health and healthy eating.
Another new feature is the transition of Cultural and Environmental Holidays to fortnightly sessions, aligning them with the Sports Holidays calendar.
The offer is also expanding with a new sports hub at E.B. Eng.º Nuno Mergulhão, aimed at children aged 6 to 11.
Staggered registration schedule
To ensure system stability and an efficient response, registrations will take place online starting at 10:00 am via the municipality’s sports portal: https://desporto.cm-portimao.pt/
Registration will open in phases:
- May 11: registrations for the 1st session (July 1–10)
- May 18: registrations for the 2nd session (July 13–24)
- May 25: registrations for the 3rd session (July 27–August 7)
Structure and organisation
The programme is distributed across the municipality’s three parishes to ensure proximity and accessibility.
The Sports Holidays, for children aged 6 to 15, will take place at the Boavista Sports Pavilion, E.B. 2,3 D. Martinho Castelo Branco, the new E.B. 2,3 Nuno Mergulhão site, as well as the Alvor and Mexilhoeira Grande Sports Complexes.
For those interested in arts, culture, or nature-based activities, the Cultural and Environmental Holidays, aimed at children aged 6 to 12, will be based at the Portimão Museum, Manuel Teixeira Gomes Library, the Educational Farm, and TEMPO – Municipal Theatre of Portimão.
These activities run from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with early reception available from 8:30 am.
The Youth Holidays programme (ages 12 to 18) takes place at Lugar do Rio – Youth Space, running from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, featuring workshops in theatre, upcycling, artificial intelligence, urban dance, and short film production, as well as creative writing, social media photography, and urban graffiti, alongside sessions focused on mental health and healthy eating.
The participation fee is €40 per participant per session and includes all activities, personal accident insurance, and lunch (except for the Youth Holidays programme).
Full details about the programme and registration process are available on the official website of the Municipality of Portimão: https://www.cm-portimao.pt/
