São João Festival 2023
Festival of St John

São João Festival – Festival of St John 2023

The São João Festival is Porto’s largest event and the biggest celebration in the city, taking place each year on June 23rd.

The festival celebrates the honour of St. John and is filled with events, entertainment, bonfire, fireworks, parties, drinking and more. The event combines religious tradition with a party atmosphere; the São João Festival is an authentic Porto experience.  Originally, the event began as a pagan tradition of worshipping the sun before it was adopted by the Roman Catholic Church in the 19th century and became a celebration of Saint John the Baptist.

• Are you visiting Porto? Stay right in the heart of the city. The PortoBay Teatro, is a beautiful 4-star hotel close to all the attractions, with spacious rooms and a “Superb” rating.

The Event

• São João Festival is one of the most fabulous European street parties ending with an impressive firework display. The event is the culmination of almost five weeks of different activities leading up to  Midsummer. The city is brimming with traditional music, dances, jumping over bonfires (symbolising courage) and eating grilled sardines.
• First-time visitors may be confused by some of the traditions, including hitting people with garlic flowers or inflatable hammers, a practice first started by university students during the ‘Queima das Fitas’ celebrations, but it is all part of the experience.
• The streets, churches and buildings are decorated with balloons and strings of multi-coloured paper as the city is transformed into one of Portugals biggest and craziest party zones. The party ends at dawn when visitors make their way to the river to witness the beautiful Porto sunrise.

The Fireworks

• June 23rd – Start your evening early with a traditional dinner in one of Porto’s many fine restaurants. Reserve your table in advance. Apart from the barbecued sardines, on St. John’s night, it is also traditional to eat “Caldo Verde” (a shredded green cabbage soup), lamb and roasted pepper salad, then the meal is rounded off with creamy custard or St John’s cake, and of course, all washed down with a glass of good port!
• After, make your way to the riverside and catch the fireworks display from the Luís Bridge. Arrive early as thousands of visitors head to the banks of the river Douro to witness the display. The fireworks display begins at Midnight.
• As dawn breaks and the party ends, many will make their way to the river banks to catch the breathtaking Porto sunrise from Ribeira to Foz do Douro.

Rabelo Boat Regatta

• June 24th  – Picturesque boats (traditionally used to transport barrels of port wine) sail along the river from Foz to Ponte D. Luís in a race for first place. The boats hoist sails featuring the names of various Port Wine brands. Prizes are awarded at the end of the race in front of Casa Sandeman, followed by music and entertainment.

Gay Parties in Porto during the Festival of St John, Porto

• The event attracts thousands to Porto and the city’s gay bars are full in the lead up and on the night of the festival. Many of venues and clubs host special theme nights and parties. Three of the biggest take place at Conceição 35, Café Lusitano and ZOOM (Nightclub)

Alternatively stay close to all the gay bars and clubs at Masio Nos B&B, rated “Exceptional” with a unique vibe, welcoming owner and stylish architecture.

Porto is relatively compact, so you are never too far from the busiest bars and top things to see and do if you stay in the city centre.  Alternatively, three tram lines run on different routes (separate from the public transport system) and are dedicated to tourists. The best tram to catch is Linha 22, which gets you close to most of the attractions in the old town.

• Bar Conceiçâo 35 – Young, hip and trendy bar with a busy happy hour.
• Pride Cafe – Coffee by Day, dancing by night, popular venue.
• Invictus Cafe Bar – Fun drag bar in the city centre.
• Café Lusitano – Sleek cafe bar with great cocktails and extensive wine list. Beautiful decor.
• Fabrik – One of Porto’s most famous gay bars and host of several parties.
• Labirintho  – Busy gay bar with an artsy vibe running for over 30 years.
• Zoom – The place to party late, located in a former warehouse with drag shows, strippers and guest DJs.
• Sauna Thermas 205 – popular sauna in the centre of Porto with Turkish baths, sauna, steam room and darkroom.
• Sauna Camões – Oldest sauna in Porto complete with cinema room, Turkish baths and bar.

Here are the Hotels we recommend that keep you close to all the action

Infante Sagres,    Eurostars Aliados,    Mercure Porto,  Eurostars Porto Centro.