Santo Antonio Festival 2023

Festas de Lisboa, Santo Antonio Festival, Lisbon 2023

Santo Antonio Festival, Lisbon is one of Portugal’s most famous annual street parties taking place each year in early June and attracting thousands of visitors to the capital.

• Visiting Lisbon? Stay in the Principe Real district, home to the best gay bars in the city and just a 5-minute drive/10-minute walk to the parade. Book the charming Alegria Boutique Hotel, with spacious rooms and a great location.

The Festival

• Lisbon’s Santo Antonio Festival is the most important annual festival in Lisbon and celebrates the life of Saint Anthony, the patron saint of Lisbon, marriages and lost things.
• Historically, the event was known as “Festas dos Santos Populares,” meaning “Feasts of the Popular Saints,” but over time it has become more about street parties and a celebration of the city rather than religion.

Basil & Sardines

• Events kick off in the early afternoon with many venues serving grilled sardines while folk music fills the vibrant and colorful streets of the city.
• The event is a favorite of the newly married or singles looking for a mate! Try gifting a traditional pot of basil for some romantic luck! You can pick them up at the Santo Antonio Church nearby Alfama.
• Stay in Alfama, one of Lisbon’s oldest areas, are lined with shops selling traditional crafts and cafes. Passengers pack the historic no. 28 tram, which winds through Alfama on its way up to 11th-century São Jorge Castle.
• The Santiago De Alfama Boutique Hotel features rooms with breathtaking views and offers delicious breakfast options. The hotel is rated “Superb” by guests.

The Main Parade

• The highlight of the Santo Antonio Festival is the main procession where locals dress in stunning and elaborate costumes as they make their way along the Avenida da Liberdade. But this is no holy procession, this is a display that would rival carnival in Rio!
• For the best views of the parade head to the historic streets of Alfama, Bica, Bairro Alto, Castelo, and Madragoa.
• Stay close to the parade at the NH Collection Liberdade, rated “Fabulous” by guests, with spacious rooms, a beautiful outdoor pool and modern fitness centre.
• The main parade is made up of huge floats, dancers and musicians, creating a truly electric atmosphere. Locals and visitors mingle among the many restaurants in the city enjoying the traditional dishes served during the event. June 13th, the day after the main parade is a public holiday, so the post-parade parties last long into the night.

Festas dos Santos Populares, Lisbon Carnival

• June in Lisbon is the Summer party season and the Santo Antonio Festival is part of the Festas dos Santos Populares, a month-long celebration of pagan and religious beliefs.
• Aside from this highlight, plenty of other events happen all over the city, including concerts, performances, exhibitions, movie screenings, and grill parties.
• The smoky scent of grilled sardines fills Lisbon‘s air and there’s no wondering why; every few steps will place you in front of yet another grill cooking a batch of fish. You can order a platter if you’re with a group of friends and find a place to sit, but the traditional way to eat a sardine is on a slice of rustic country bread, sans utensils and while standing.

Trending Hotels in Lisbon

The following hotels are currently trending with our readers. All are close to the Santo Antonio celebrations:

Lisboa Carmo Hotel,    The Lumiares Hotel & Spa   HF Fenix Garden,    The Late Birds Lisbon