August events in Portugal
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August is a sleepy, holiday month, everyone downs tools and heads for the beach! But there are still some fantastic events to visit, and these are our favourite five!
1st – 11th August - Jazz in August – Lisbon
This year is the 40th edition of Jazz in August, held at the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian in Lisbon. Here you can attend 17 concerts spread across the Open-Air Amphitheatre, the Grand Auditorium and Auditorium 2, giving a stage to large and small ensembles, always guided by the pleasure of discovery.
Jazz in August shows the multiple identities of jazz, a more unusual programme than what is offered at the main international festivals.
2nd – 11th August – Semana Do Mar/Sea Week – Açores
During one week in August, the sea is the key theme underlying the year’s most important event on the island of Faial.
The Nautical Festival is the main event within Sea Week. It includes sporting competitions in various modalities such as swimming, diving, water polo, sail and whaleboat regattas, rowing, canoeing, jet skiing, and angling.
On land, the animation is complemented by music and folklore performances, exhibitions, handicrafts and gastronomy fairs. The week concludes with magnificent fireworks over the Bay of Horta.
7th – 10th August – Sudoeste Festival – Zambujeira do Mar, Alentejo
This is the biggest summer festival in Portugal. It takes place in Zambujeira do Mar, a fishing town on the Alentejo coast, famous for its beautiful beaches and mild temperatures. For five days, bands from various musical genres perform, with the party continuing with electronic music until the early hours of the morning.
The music combines with nature, allowing everyone to enjoy the beaches of the Alentejo and the green countryside all in one place. Festivalgoers have free camping, guaranteeing them a week's holiday at an affordable price.
9th – 17th August – Silves Medieval Fair – Silves, Algarve
Visit Silves in August and see how the Moors and Christians lived in the Middle Ages. Over nine days, Silves – the capital of the Algarve during the Arab occupation - returns to its golden age. In a historical recreation of the Christian Reconquest era, the city will be invaded by characters from the distant past, including jugglers, acrobats, dancers and snake charmers. Don't miss this opportunity to see a live-action history lesson, including processions of noblemen, jousting tournaments with artisans and merchants offering their wares.
25th August – 5th September – Madeira Wine Fest - Madeira
The Madeira Wine Harvest Festival is always the perfect excuse to visit Madeira. In Funchal, the symbolic light, sound and music shows are the high points of the celebrations.
In the Estreito de Câmara de Lobos parish, 12 km from Funchal, the live wine harvests are an excellent opportunity to take part in one of the oldest local traditions, whether picking grapes or following the grape harvester groups.
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Published in: Guide to Portugal / Miscellaneous / Portuguese Life / Travel