From medieval re-enactments, creative workshops and events highlighting the Algarve’s nature and extraordinary culinary scene, visitors can discover traditional and modern festivals and events in this stunning region of Portugal all year round. Attending a traditional festival is a great way for visitors to the Algarve to absorb Portuguese history, culture, and local life, and many are completely free of charge.
Here are the best festivals of 2024 to attend in the region:
Creative Loulé Festival- 2nd – 28th March
Over the course of the month, a series of creative workshops are held in in the city of Loulé, a lively and historic market town. The project aims to contribute to the revitalization and promotion of arts and crafts, and invites visitors to the region to experience a wide array of workshops. These include tile painting experiences, decorative tapestry workshops, and plenty of experiences for kids of all ages.
Prices vary depending on what experience is selected.
https://eventos.visitalgarve.pt/en/15666/loule-criativo
Walking Festival – 26th – 29th April
Held in Ameixial, in the municipality of Loulé, visitors will be able to take part in dozens of walks, which reveal the natural and cultural richness of this territory. There are several walking paths participants can take from very easy routes spanning 1 hour and 30 minutes to more moderate ones lasting 4 hours. Throughout each walk, hikers will be able to see instillations from local artists such as illuminated letters made from iron and reused fishing nets. Throughout the three days there are also a series of events happening throughout Loulé such as yoga workshops, esparto classes (a coarse grass with tough narrow leaves, used to make ropes, wickerwork, and baskets etc.), sports massages, and music and dances.
The event fee is €10 / £8.50. Children (age 12 and under) are free of charge with a paying adult but they need to register.
https://wfameixial.qrer.pt/en/
Sardine Festival – 1st – 6th August
Sardines are synonymous with the Algarve and the long history and traditions of these salty morsels is celebrated each year with the Sardine Festival Portimão in the historic city. This year, the landmark event will be held along the riverside area of the River Arade. For five nights, the streets will be lined with craft stalls and grilled sardines. There are also concerts and historical reenactments of the unloading of the sardine and a ‘sardinhada’ – a classic charcoal grilled sardine – for all visitors.
Admission to this event is free.
https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/sardine-festival-portim%C3%A3o
Silves Medieval Fair – First 2 weeks in August.
The Silves Medieval Fair promises to take visitors back in time to discover the town’s Moorish heritage and experience a full historical recreation of the medieval period of this former capital of the Kingdom of Algarve. The narrow-cobbled streets leading up to the castle are lined with people in medieval garments, musicians play for the crowds as whole pigs are roasted over open fires, and entertainers and dancers flow around the city. Medieval taverns and Berber camps with merchants selling exotic products also line the streets. The Fair is one of the most popular of the summer festivals that take place across the Algarve, and is an event for the whole family, where they can even hire out medieval costumes to fully immerse themselves into the fun.
Daily ticket €2.00/£1.70, Free ticket for children up to 130 cm or 9 years old (inclusive) for online sale. Shows start from €5/£4.30 per person.
https://feiramedievaldesilves.pt/
Medieval Days of Castro Marim festival – Last 2 weeks in August.
The 25th edition of this festival is taking place this year, and promises to be “an unforgettable journey through time”. For five lively days and five mysterious nights, Castro Marim, located approximately 60 kilometres east of Faro and close to the border of Spain, it is one of the Algarve’s most popular festivals – offering an unforgettable journey back into the life in one of Portugal’s most important garrison towns. Visitors will be able to get a real sense of what life would have been like in Portugal during the Middle Ages with street entertainers, pageantry, music, dancers, parades, livestock, arts and crafts.
The ticket offices for Medieval Days in Castro Marim open at 3 pm, while the activities and entertainment starts at 6 pm and close at 12 am.
https://cm-castromarim.pt/site/
Sagres Birdwatching and Nature Activities Festival – 3rd – 6th October
Portugal’s largest nature event, and one of the most important in the world’s birdwatching calendar is the Sagres Birdwatching Festival. The 15th edition of the event this year will be held on the Beliche Fortress in Cape St. Vincent, Sagres. The event is jam-packed with more than 160 activities from birdwatching tours on land and sea, short courses, field trips to see birds, bird ringing to hikes along scenic trails.
Most activities are free to participate in.
https://www.birdwatchingsagres.com/
Walk & Art Fest – 4th – 6th November
The village of Barão de São João, in the municipality of Lagos, will host a festival that combines hiking with art. The sixth edition of the festival will be held this year, and as in past editions, the event will also feature a collective art exhibition of 17 pieces by 16 local artists, which will be dotted along a 3.5 km route, starting at the Barão de São João Cultural Centre, which runs along paths between the forest perimeter and the village streets. As well as themed walks such as geology, botany, bird watching, history, drawing, tourists can partake in mountain biking, wellness, workshops and activities for children and families.
Entrance to the festival is free.
https://www.walkartfest.pt/en/
Sweet Potato Festival – Last weekend in November
The town of Aljezur is once again this year hosting its much-anticipated Sweet Potato Festival. The unique event dedicated to celebrate and highlight the local ‘Lyra’ variety which makes the borough’s sweet potatoes such a sought-after product. There are a host of activities to take part in that showcase the local sweet potato – from cooking demonstrations to sweet competitions, as well as stalls selling regional products, and musical entertainment.
There will be various restaurants and eateries at the event, serving the most typical dishes and some new culinary proposals, always featuring this sweet potato with its unique and unrivalled taste. Confectionery will also be an important feature of the festival.
Admission to this festival is free.
https://eventos.visitalgarve.pt/en/16443/aljezur-sweet-potato-festival
