What you need to know about Santo Antonio Lisbon’s biggest festival

Lisbon will be One BIG party for 10 days

From 3 to 14 June it’s Festas dos Santos Populares. 

Lisbon’s highly respected and worshiped patron Santo António is the center of all the festivities. 

It all peaks on June 12 when all neighbourhoods in town present their annual Marches in the big and colorful parade along Avenida da Liberdade. Don’t miss this one.

After the parade Lisbon explodes in parties with huge happy dancing crowds in parks and on squares that last until the last drunkards return home to bed to get a few hours sleep and sober up for the religious afternoon procession around the Sé cathedral in homage to the popular Saint. 

Throughout the whole period all the old neighbourhoods – from Castelo to Mouraria, Graça, Alfama, Ajuda and the Bairro Alto will be packed with people dressed up in Sardine Hats, dancing and singing to Portuguese Pop Songs and enjoying fast food from the many food stalls that are every where. 

Santo António, highly respected and worshiped in Lisbon and treated as a true patron of the city, sets the mood for the festivities that reach their highpoint on the evening of June 12, with the parade of popular marches along Avenida da Liberdade. On the afternoon of June 13, a procession in homage to the popular Saint - who is believed to foster marriages - winds its way through the streets around the Sé cathedral and provides a special religious flavor to the festivities.
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The 3 parties near Tings.

Like all Lisbon’s old neighbourhoods its the local shops, sports clubs and associations that provides the fun. In our hood they take over Largo da Graça and fill it with their mobile kitchens, huge mobile bars, open smoking BBQs, loud sound systems and a huge happy, smiling, laughing and dancing crowd.

So don’t expect a peaceful and romantic stay during these days. And since you can’t ‘beat’ them, do like we do: Join Them. 

NOTE: On 12 Graca will be closed from traffic from 6 pm until midnight. 

If you are arriving this day prepare yourself for ‘complicated’ transport from the airport to your hotel.  

Largo da Graça

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The Main Square + Jardim da Graça + Graça Miradouru.  This area will turn into huge live bands from the main venue, smaller discos and lots of tents with food and drinks.

Vila Berta

The Arraial da Vila Berta anno 1910 was started by Joaquim Francisco Tojal who created Vila Berta mainly for his family and friends who lived in the bigger houses - and for related workers who lived in the lower and more modest houses opposite.
The Arraial da Vila Berta anno 1910 was started by Joaquim Francisco Tojal who created Vila Berta mainly for his family and friends who lived in the bigger houses - and for related workers who lived in the lower and more modest houses opposite.
In 2010 a group of local Vila Berta Residents - including Diamantino’s Great Grandchildren reactivated - the tradition from 1910. 2010 to raise funds for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the most beautiful street in Lisbon.
In 2010 a group of local Vila Berta Residents - including Diamantino’s Great Grandchildren reactivated - the tradition from 1910. 2010 to raise funds for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the most beautiful street in Lisbon.
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The most interesting party  is the now legendary Arraial da Vila Berta in one of Lisbon’s most beautiful streets hidden away behind Largo da Graça’s chaos (it´s only 200 m from us).

They have been serving sardines, bread and caldo verde in one of Portugal’s most interesting historical architectural streets for more than 100 years. 

Despite being relatively young, the Festival in Vila Berta has become one of Lisbon’s most interesting ones – the get a lot from the beautiful settings 🙂  

It´s still mostly locals who party here – forget about getting a table. They are already reserved! Don’t miss it!

Penha de França

Last year our neighbour Parish Penha de França arranged its own party at their local market on Rua da Penha de França – just opposite Rua da Graça. 

So in 2022 we had 3 parties within 800 meters walk from our door. 

1 Penha da Franca
1 Penha da Franca
2 Vila Berta
2 Vila Berta
3 Largo da Graça
3 Largo da Graça
3 parties within 800 meter walk from Tings
3 parties within 800 meter walk from Tings
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Official Events

The Saint Antonio parties are local, that’s why we like them.  But there are a few official events happening during the festivals two weeks.

The biggest and most popular one is Parade on Avenida Liberdade on Sunday 12, Starts at 20 noon. 

Most museums and institutions related to Santo Antonio use the festival to attract an audience with exhibitions, talks, events, guided tours etc. The closest you get to a program is list by EGEAC’s Cultura em Lisboa. 

A few things good to know

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Enjoy the fun

Lisbon will be packed with people, especially on the 12 and 14 June.

Based on our own experience there are a few things that are good to know

… don’t stress. It can be difficult to get from place to place. So instead of stressing around – just go with the flow.

… keep an eye on your belongings. It’s the high season for pickpockets! So be careful.

… lower your food expectations. The restaurants are packed – so let the BBQ’s guide you.

Except for this – just enjoy.

Have a fantastic festival

Annette & Thomas


FestivalsGraçaSanto Antonio FestivalVila Berta

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Thomas Tingstrup

Blogger, Traveller and Food, Music & Literature lover. Founding partner of Tings Lisbon.

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