Popular
Saints

Santo Antonio, Sao Joao, Sao Pedro. June turns Portugal into an open-air festival — sardines, bonfires, marches and street parties from north to south.

June in celebration

The Popular Saints are Portugal's biggest summer celebration. From 12 to 29 June, three saints — Antonio, Joao and Pedro — bring weeks of street parties, marches and bonfires across the country.

Lisbon celebrates Santo Antonio, Porto and Braga are the capitals of Sao Joao, and dozens of inland villages keep their own versions with live music, grilled sardines and traditional dances.

Lisbon

Santo Antonio on 12 June, popular marches, street parties in Alfama, Mouraria and Graca

Porto

Sao Joao night on 23 June, toy hammers, bonfires, lanterns and grilled sardines

Braga

Sao Joao de Braga, one of the oldest celebrations in the country, with rusgas and giants

Viana do Castelo

June festivals in Minho with street parties, bonfires and pilgrimages in rural parishes

Setubal

Sao Pedro festivals in June, popular marches with a strong fishing tradition

Santarem

Sao Joao fairs and Ribatejo festivities with street parties along the Tagus

Evora

Sao Joao in the Alentejo, warm nights with challenge singing and popular dances

Coimbra

Sao Joao bonfires in Coimbra and popular festivals in villages along the Mondego

Start in the capital of Popular Saints.