Pick your favourite music festival in Portugal mainland, Madeira and Azores, based on your music preferences and location.
Looking for a music festival in Portugal? We’ve got you covered! In this post, we have selected Country’s best and biggest music festivals, with different sizes and genres, from the generalists to the most specialized themes.
In Portugal, the music festivals occur mainly from June to September and are usually called “Summer Festivals”. At this time of year, enjoy the atmosphere of the festivals to listen to good music, dance and have fun!
So are you ready to go?
Map with the Biggest Music Festivals in Portugal
This is the location of the biggest music festivals in mainland Portugal. Besides these, you have festivals in Madeira and Azores.
Music Festivals in Northern Portugal
In the North of Portugal, in Paredes de Coura and on the banks of the Coura River, you have Vodafone Paredes de Coura. It’s one of the oldest music festivals in Europe and is particulary aimed to alternative rock.
Also next to the Coura River, but in the municipality of Caminha, takes place the EDP Vilar de Mouros, which is the oldest festival of the Iberian Peninsula (“Portuguese Woodstock”). Here several generations have attended concerts of rock, jazz and blues, mainly dedicated to the 80s and 90s.
Still in the municipality of Caminha, but on Moledo Beach you have the Sonic Blast festival.
In Ponte da Barca you have the Festival Celtic Folk and in Viana do Castelo the Neopop Electronic Music Festival.
Music Festivals in Porto
In the Porto Region you have a varied offer of festivals. In the largest urban park of Porto takes place the NOS Primavera Sound, one of the most recent music festivals. This festival offers the latest musical trends, mainly rock, pop, rap, R&B and electronics. You also have the RPMM Festival with more underground electronic music, in Alfândega and in various locations in Porto.
Near Porto, in Matosinhos occurs one of the biggest beach parties in the world and the largest in Europe, the Galp Beach Party. This Festival takes place outdoors and by the sea, with good electronic music, lots of light, colour and pyrotechnics.
In Vila Nova de Gaia, at the mouth of the Douro River, happens the MEO Marés Vivas, which is one of the biggest music festivals in the North of Portugal. Here you will find the best of Portuguese and international music, especially electronics.
Music Festivals in the Centre of Portugal
In the Centre of Portugal, in Figueira da Foz, takes place one of the main electronic music festival in Portugal, the RFM SOMNII. For instance, on the beach you can see a splendid sunset, to the sound of the best DJs in the world.
In Idanha-A-Nova, occurs the Boom Festival – an event of music (electronic, trance, chill-out), art and alternative culture, that promotes environmental awareness. Activities include video, cinema, theatre, painting, sculpture, plastic arts and performative exhibitions.
Also, the Festival Forte with electronic music takes place at Montemor-O-Velho.
Music Festivals in Lisbon
A large number of the music festivals takes place in Lisbon, but Rock in Rio is by far the best known festival, with the more intense media coverage. This festival is held every year alternately in Lisbon and in Rio de Janeiro with rock, pop, soul and electronic music.
Also occurs the Jazz em Agosto, LISB-on with electronic music and Nova Batida with dance, hip-hop and electronics. The latter, is recognized by The Guardian as one of the best alternative festivals in Europe.
Near Lisbon, in Algés, occurs the NOS Alive, which is one of the main music festivals in the world. A feast of rock music, pop, alternative, indie, hip-hop, RnB, House and electronics.
Next to the beaches of Costa da Caparica, in the municipality of Almada, is held the festival O Sol da Caparica. Where you can find lots of great portuguese music, brazilian, african and with rock, hip-hop, fado, semba, kizomba and electronics. The Festival has several artistic expressions, namely, graffiti, dance, animation cinema and plastic arts, as well as skate, surf, stand up paddle, windsurfing, bodyboarding.
In Meco, on the way to Sesimbra, you have the well-known Super Bock Super Rock, a celebration of the best of the new Portuguese music and the national and international big players of rock, hip hop, rap, punk and electronics. Nearby you can visit Palmela.
In Cascais you can find the EDP Cool Jazz, a Jazz oriented Festival with worldwide projection.
Near Ericeira, at the seaside, shines Hip-hop and dance music stars at Sumol Summer Fest, as well as surf and skate.
Finally, in Tomar, the Bons Sons is a Portuguese music focused festival.
Music Festivals in Alentejo
In the Alentejo Region, in Sines and Porto Covo, it occurs the Festival de Músicas do Mundo, which is one of the biggest events of world music, with a great diversity of styles, such as classical, folk, reggae, jazz, tango and blues.
Further south, in the municipality of Odemira, near the beautiful beach of Zambujeira do Mar, you have MEO Sudoeste. This is one of the biggest music festivals in Portugal, where especially big national and international players artists present trends of rock, hip-hop, reggae, big room house, pop, rap, fado and electronic music.
In Crato, takes place the Festival do Crato, which is one of the main music festivals of the Region, with of big players of rock, hip-hop, soul, fado and electronics. Also, in Crato you can attend the Waking Life festival considered, according to the Guardian, one of the best alternative festivals in Europe.
The Festival Islâmico de Mértola is a culturally rich festival with a vibrant gathering of music from Morocco and Alentejo and other activities, in the beautiful village of Mértola. Nearby try to visit Castro Verde.
Music Festivals in the Algarve
In the Algarve go to the Festival F in Faro (historic area), a celebration of the music of Portugal such as rock, fado, hip hop, jazz and electronics. This is also a festival of arts and culture. Thus, it has street animation, crafts, cinema, theater, plastic arts and exhibitions.
You still have Festival Med with world music, in Loulé and the BPM Festival an electronic music focused festival, in Faro and Portimão, with Lagos nearby.
Music Festivals in Madeira
In Madeira you’ll find the main music festivals in Funchal, such as the NOS Summer Opening. This is the biggest festival, celebrating reggae, hip-hop, R&B, jazz, soul, samba, electronics and others. It is held at the beginning of Summer in the beautiful natural amphitheatre of Parque de Santa Catarina. There you can enjoy a great view of the sea and the mountains.
You can also attend the Festival Raízes do Atlantico of world music and the Madeira Music Fest focused on Portuguese and electronic music.
Music Festivals in Azores
In the Azores, on the Island of São Miguel, in Ribeira Grande it takes place the MEO Monte Verde Festival. It’s the biggest music festival in the archipelago and welcomes rock, hip-hop and electronic music.
You also have the RFM Beach Power an electronic music focused festival.
In Ponta Delgada occurs the independent music festival Tremor and The Music World festival. On the Island of Santa Maria, takes place the Maré de Agosto, one of the oldest festivals in the Country.
So, these are the biggest and best music festivals in Portugal, so enjoy your favourite festival and have fun 😀
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