Nice to know: Lisbon Baroque Festival
"The theatricality of the Baroque isn't just confined to the history books or gold-leafed altars; it's alive on the steep, cobblestone streets of Graça, where classical counterpoint crashes headfirst into neighborhood life."
— Time Out Lisboa, on Lisboa Barroca.
Look Closer: From Heavy Metal to Baroque Metamorphosis
We are driven by what inspires us. My entire life has been deeply dedicated to rock ’n’ roll—both as a lifelong fan and professionally, including my years in the nineties as Managing Director at EMI Medley working alongside some of the biggest artists on the planet.
So when Annette and I stumbled into a group of classical baroque musicians last year—complete with historical instruments we couldn’t name and sharp outfits—I had to laugh. Their raw dedication was so infectious that my music industry background went right out the window. I found myself happily moonlighting as an unpaid roadie—stacking heavy wooden chairs and packing up gear into the night.
It turns out 18th-century classical music has its very own version of the rockstar ethos. We’ve just traded the old-school chaos for something a bit more sophisticated: we went from Sex, Drugs, and Rock ’n’ Roll to Passion, Wine, and Harpsichord.
As the festival wrapped up, I told the crew: If you guys need any help next year, just give us a shout. Well, they remembered. This year, our casual backyard involvement has officially evolved into a spot on the festival’s master schedule.
Artist Lineup & Programme (Part I)
Cyril Poulet performing Johann Sebastian Bach's Cello Suites on Sunday, October 25th at 18:00 inside the Panteão Nacional. An infinite, monumental exploration of the instrument's full polyphonic qualities and expressive richness.
Antoine Schneider performing live at Tascas das Artes on Saturday, October 25th at 16:00, blending historical intimacy with local neighborhood vibes.
Actor André Gomes performing theatrical readings of 17th and 18th century texts Tudo é Confusão, Tudo é Cuidado on Sunday, October 25th at 15:00 at Ateliê (Rua da Graça 136-138).
Occasus Ensemble presenting Dove Parlano Le Muse on Saturday, October 24th at 21:00 at Portaria, Convento da Graça, following the forgotten voices of women baroque composers.
What’s the Story?
That casual offer turned into something much bigger. From October 23 to October 25, 2026, the fourth edition of the Lisboa Barroca Festival is taking over the historic enclaves of Graça and São Vicente. It turns out 18th-century classical music has its very own version of the rockstar ethos—think less rigid conservatory recitals and more high-intensity drama, intricate counterpoint, and pure passion.
Instead of letting these brilliant artists disappear into sterile, grand concert halls, the festival purposefully threads them into the everyday fabric of our neighborhood: hidden cloisters, local taverns, and unexpected architectural spaces. And that is where our wild, hidden garden steps onto the stage.
Below, you can explore the unique venues across our neighborhood and see exactly who is performing where.
Artist Lineup & Programme (Part II)
Joana Bagulho hosting Petiscos Musicais (Drinks and conversations) on Sábado, Saturday, October 24th at 18:00 and Sunday, October 25th at 18:00 at Tings Lisbon
Capella de São Vicente and organist João Vaz presenting Visita do Mosteiro com Música on Saturday, October 24th at 11:00 at Mosteiro de São Vicente.
Professor Antoine Schneider leading the Renaissance improvisation workshop Cantar sobre o Livro on Saturday, October 24th from 14:00 - 18:30 and Sunday, October 25th from 11:00 - 17:30 at Tasca das Artes (R. Prof. Celestino da Costa 6B).
Elisabeth Joyé (harpsichord) and Margarida Batista (poet) performing Autres Miscellanées on Saturday, October 24th at 19:00 at Galeria Arte Graça (Rua da Graça 29). An exquisite and profound ode to dispersion
Where to See
- Tings Lisbon: In our so called Secret Garden: Rua da Senhora do Monte 26, Graça. This is where the informal Musical Snacks go down at 18:00 every evening from October 23 to October 24.
- Portaria do Convento da Graça: Calçada da Graça. The stunning atmospheric venue for the main evening concert series.
- Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora: Largo de São Vicente. Catch the morning acoustic genius of the local ensembles within centuries-old stone walls.
The Festival Venues & Artists (Part I)
Virtuoso baroque cellist Cyril Poulet, performing Bach's majestic solo cello masterworks under the epic dome.
French harpsichord maestro Elisabeth Joyé and poet Margarida Batista merging music and spoken verse in this active cultural gallery.
Antoine Schneider leading the Renaissance improvisation workshop Cantar sobre o Livro on Saturday, October 24th from 14:00 - 18:30 and Sunday, October 25th from 11:00 - 17:30 at Tasca das Artes (R. Prof. Celestino da Costa 6B)
Capella de São Vicente and organist João Vaz taking listeners on an incredible acoustic journey deep within the historic stone monastery spaces.
When to see
The main festival circuit runs across October 24th and 25th, 2026—you can check out the specific performance times and historic venues in our image program galleries above, or head straight to the official Lisboa Barroca Festival website.
For our specific contribution, Tings Lisbon is officially on the master schedule for the brand-new Musical Snacks (Petiscos Musicais) afternoons. Slip into our lush garden at 17:45 on both Saturday, 24th and Sunday 25th.
At 18:00 sharp harpsichordist and musicologist Joana Bagulho shatters the barrier between elite classical performance and a relaxed backyard chat, making the session intimate, informal, and entirely exclusive to our backyard.
Why to see
Stepping out of your routine is where life gets interesting. Even after living and working in Graça for 15 years, going to the festival last year was a massive eye-opener. It was a genuine surprise to discover hidden architectural venues we didn’t even know existed, and to experience completely new, secret sides of familiar neighborhood landmarks.
With ticket prices ranging from free up to just €15, you quite literally cannot afford to miss it. It is the ultimate antidote to sterile, rushed tourist checklists. Consider this your invitation to enjoy a glass of wine, dive into the informal musical snacks, and discover that the best things in Lisbon are found when you dare to wander off the beaten path.
The Festival Venues & Artists (Part II)
Performing Artists: Antoine Schneider bringing his solo Renaissance wind improvisations, workshops, and intimate evening concerts directly to this cozy location in Penha de França
Hosting early music collective Noa Noa on October 23rd, and the brilliant Occasus Ensemble on October 24th inside its sweeping historical stone cloisters.
Harpsichordist Joana Bagulho hosting the intimate, storytelling-led Musical Snacks sessions over drinks on Saturday October 24th and Sunday October 25th at 18:00.
3 QUICK FACTS ABOUT LISBOA BARROCA FESTIVAL
- The “Roadie” Pipeline is Real: The entire festival relies on pure, community-driven passion. Don’t be surprised if the person pouring your wine or moving the benches between sets is actually a world-class strategist or the artist performing the next morning.
- The “Petiscos” Format: This isn’t a rigid lecture. The festival introduced these pre-concert gatherings specifically to shatter the barrier between elite performers and the audience, turning historical context into a friendly backyard chat over a drink.
- Acoustic Archeology: The instruments used—like the theorbo, viola da gamba, and historical harpsichord—are specific replicas designed to interact with the exact stone architecture of Graça’s 13th- and 18th-century buildings. No amplifiers, no digital filters—just raw sound bouncing off old stone.
The Secret Canvas:
In Lisbon, utility and art don’t live in separate boxes. A centuries-old monastery isn’t just a static monument for photos; it’s a living resonator for an ensemble. A neighborhood tavern isn’t just a place for a quick bite; it’s where a world-renowned harpsichordist sits down to unpack a score with locals. Our garden at Tings wasn’t designed by a corporate manual—it’s a slightly wild oasis where we host what we love. When the strings start vibrating under the shade of our trees, the city’s modern rush melts completely into its deep historical DNA, proving that the best things in Lisbon are always found off the beaten path.
One more story you really don’t need to visit Lisbon for—but it’s just nice to know.
Thomas