If you think that May in Portugal is just about sunshine and sardines, think again. Beneath the golden light and blooming fields, the fifth month of the year is packed with curious traditions, powerful stories, and celebrations that might surprise even the most seasoned traveller.
Here are five events happening in May across Portugal that deserve a spot on your cultural radar:
1. May Day
Most people know 1 May as International Workers’ Day, but, in Portugal, the date carries an extra dose of political spice. For nearly 50 years, during the Estado Novo dictatorship (1926–1974), May Day was banned. Strikes were forbidden, trade unions were silenced, and even mentioning workers’ rights could get you in serious trouble. Then came the Carnation Revolution on 25 April 1974. Less than a week later, on 1 May, half a million people flooded Lisbon in a peaceful, flower-filled celebration of liberty and labour. It was a historic explosion of joy, marking a new era for Portuguese democracy.
I was only 12 years old when my mother took me, my sister and my brother to be part of that first post-revolution parade. I still remember the way the crowd pulsed with music and laughter, a sea of people dancing, chanting and waving flowers – mostly carnations, red and pink, and impossibly bright. People handed them to one another like sweet secrets. There were women in aprons, men in dusty work shirts, students with guitars, and children like us – wide-eyed and swept up in something we didn’t fully understand but could feel was huge.
Today, 1 May remains a public holiday. Most Portuguese spend it relaxing, heading to the countryside for picnics, or joining quiet union rallies. Supermarkets are closed, sausages are grilled, and freedom is softly celebrated – with full bellies and, for some of us, hearts full of memories.
2. Pilgrims
Though not marked on official calendars, May in Portugal is deeply sacred, traditionally dedicated to the Virgin Mary and celebrated with quiet acts of devotion across towns and villages. For centuries, May has been dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and this tradition still blossoms across towns and villages today. Locals build small altars on streets or in gardens, often decorating them with flowers, lace and candles. In the evenings, neighbours gather to pray the terço (rosary), a practice usually led by the elders of the community. These gatherings aren’t tourist attractions; they’re intimate, often improvised and deeply meaningful. If you stumble upon one, you’ll witness a living tradition that connects generations in faith, community and quiet beauty.
On 13 May, Portugal honours the Marian apparitions of 1917, when three shepherd children in Fátima claimed to see the Virgin Mary. What followed became one of the most famous religious events of the 20th century. Each year, pilgrims from all over the country (and abroad) walk hundreds of kilometres to reach the Sanctuary of Fátima. Some go barefoot as a gesture of devotion. Others sleep in churchyards or rely on local kindness for meals and shelter. The town transforms into a sea of candles, hymns and heartfelt prayer. Even if you’re not religious, witnessing the pilgrimage is unforgettable. It’s a glimpse into Portugal’s spiritual soul: part faith, part endurance challenge, part national treasure.
3. Parties
In early May, Coimbra transforms into a scene straight out of Hogwarts – but with more beer and black capes. Queima das Fitas, or the Burning of the Ribbons, is a vibrant, week-long graduation celebration that blends medieval academic tradition with full-throttle student partying. Final-year students burn their coloured ribbons (each faculty has its own colour), parade through town in vintage cars, and attend the emotional Serenata Monumental, a haunting fado concert held at midnight under the stars. Yes, they really do wear long black cloaks like in Harry Potter, but with a lot more beer and saudade. For the unprepared visitor, it can be chaotic. But it’s also a fascinating glimpse into Portuguese academic pride, tradition and a slightly rebellious spirit.
4. Petals
You might assume Portugal saves its flower festivals for summer, butMay is already bursting with petals. In Barcelos, northern Portugal, theFesta das Cruzes (Festival of the Crosses)transforms the city into aliving floral dreamscape, with streets covered in intricate flower carpets and candlelight processions weaving through vibrant displays. Streets are covered in handmade flower carpets, and locals carry crosses through candlelit processions that blend Catholic tradition with spring celebration. It’s part pagan, part prayer, and totally beautiful.
Further south, the Festa da Flor (Flower Festival) in Madeira kicks off in early May. Children build a Wall of Hope with fresh flowers, symbolising peace, and the city of Funchal erupts in parades, music, and petal-covered floats. If you love flowers, colours and community spirit, May is your month.
Portugal is definitely the place to be in May – a cultural playground full of contrasts, history and heart. There are barefoot pilgrims and fado-singing students, banned holidays reborn as national celebrations, petal-strewn processions and cloaks that whisper of centuries past. It’s not just a month on the calendar – it’s a living, breathing story.
Whether you’re here for a weekend or a lifetime, keep your eyes open in May. Something beautiful, unexpected or deeply moving is always just around the corner.
