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Events
Events in Portugal in 2026: what you should not miss throughout the year.
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Portugal in 2026 promises anything but stillness. From north to south, the calendar fills with cultural, sports, music, gastronomic, technological and traditional events. The real challenge isn’t finding what to do; it’s choosing.
To make that choice easier, we’ve gathered some of the main events in Portugal throughout 2026. Get your calendar ready, plan your route, book your car in advance and enjoy the freedom of moving from event to event, at your own pace, with Guerin.
Culture: books, theatre, and art.
Culture continues to play a central role in Portugal’s events agenda. In 2026, highlights include:
IndieLisboa – Lisbon International Film Festival.
From 30 April to 10 May, independent cinema takes over Lisbon’s main venues, including Culturgest and Cinema São Jorge, with premieres, masterclasses and meetings with filmmakers.
Lisbon Book Fair.
Between 27 May and 14 June, Parque Eduardo VII once again becomes a meeting point for readers, publishers and authors. With activities for all ages, it remains an unmissable cultural stop.
Serralves em Festa.
The 20th edition takes place from 29 to 31 May, offering more than 50 continuous hours of programming. Music, dance, theatre, cinema and exhibitions take place across the Serralves Museum, House and Park under the theme "New Horizons”.
Porto Book Fair.
The gardens of Palácio de Cristal host the fair from late August to early September, combining books, talks, open-air cinema and sweeping views over the Douro River.
Sports: competition and major international events.
In 2026, Portugal hosts international competitions that attract athletes, teams and thousands of spectators from around the world.
Rally Portugal.
From 7 to 10 May, the mountains of northern and central Portugal once again vibrate with one of the stages of the World Rally Championship.
Lisbon and Porto Marathons.
The Lisbon marathon takes place on 10 and 11 October, following a scenic route along the Tagus River. Porto’s marathon happens on 8 November, crossing some of the city’s most iconic areas.
International surfing championships.
Between 22 October and 1 November, Peniche hosts the penultimate stage of the World Surf League Championship Tour, where the world’s surfing elite fight for decisive points.
Music and entertainment: festivals from north to south.
Portugal remains a must-visit destination for major music festivals. Attending several events throughout the year often means travelling between cities and regions in a short period. Check the location of Guerin stations and rent a car to reach venues easily.
Primavera Sound Porto.
Between 11 and 14 June, Parque da Cidade welcomes artists such as The xx, Gorillaz and Massive Attack.
Rock in Rio Lisbon.
One of the world’s biggest entertainment festivals returns to Parque Tejo Lisbon on 20, 21, 27 and 28 June, featuring artists such as Katy Perry, Linkin Park, Rod Stewart, Cyndi Lauper, Pedro Sampaio and Xutos & Pontapés.
Afro Nation Portugal.
From 3 to 5 July, Praia da Rocha in Portimão hosts the world’s biggest afrobeat festival, with performances by Asake, Tyla, Wizkid.
NOS Alive 2026.
From 9 to 11 July, Passeio Marítimo de Algés hosts the 18th edition with names like Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Florence + The Machine, Foo Fighters, Lorde, Twenty One Pilots and the return of Buraka Som Sistema.
Paredes de Coura.
Portugal’s oldest festival takes place from 12 to 15 August at Taboão River Beach. Underworld and CMAT are among the first confirmed acts.
NEOPOP Festival.
From 14 to 17 August, Viana do Castelo celebrates 20 years of one of Europe’s leading electronic music festivals. The line-up has yet to be announced.
Gastronomy: events in Portugal around the table.
Food alone is reason enough to go out. In 2026, events in Portugal continue to celebrate traditional flavours across the country. The calendar includes:
Douro & Porto Wine Festival.
The largest wine festival in the Iberian Peninsula takes place on 3 and 4 July along the banks of the Douro River.
Olhão Seafood Festival.
In August, the Algarve hosts one of Portugal’s most popular summer food events at Jardim Pescador Olhanense.
Chefs on Fire Cascais.
Top national and international chefs return to cooking over open fire, preparing unique dishes around the flames on 19 and 20 September.
National Gastronomy Festival.
From 22 October to 1 November, Santarém celebrates Portuguese cuisine in its 45th edition.
Technology and innovation: Portugal on the map of the future.
Portugal continues to establish itself as a stage for technology and innovation events. Events such as the following are planned for 2026:
Portugal Smart Cities Summit.
Taking place from 12 to 14 May at FIL in Parque das Nações, this is Portugal’s leading event dedicated to the future of cities and urban innovation.
Web Summit.
From 9 to 12 November, the world’s largest technology conference returns to Altice Arena and FIL in Lisbon, bringing together thousands of participants, startups, investors and leaders in AI, fintech, data analytics, cybersecurity and sustainability.
Porto Tech Hub Conference.
On 10 November, Alfândega do Porto hosts one of the most relevant meetings of Portugal’s tech ecosystem, focusing on technology, startups and digital talent.
Traditions and local festivals: Portugal at its most authentic.
Not everything happens on big stages. Local festivals remain one of the most genuine ways to experience Portugal.
Popular Saints in Lisbon.
Although artists are yet to be confirmed, celebrations fill the city throughout June, especially around Santo António on 12 and 13 June, with the famous marches.
São João Festivities in Porto.
From the night of 23 to 24 June, Porto lives its longest night of the year, filled with music, fireworks and tradition.
Romaria of Nossa Senhora da Agonia, Viana do Castelo.
In the second half of August, Viana do Castelo hosts one of Portugal’s richest cultural events, with processions, traditional Minho costumes and folk dancing.
Mobility: when events call for freedom of choice.
With so many events in Portugal, mobility becomes part of the experience. Renting a car allows you to create your own event calendar, avoid rigid schedules and reach venues that are less accessible by public transport.
With Guerin, booking is simple, 100% digital and designed for those who want to enjoy the best of Portugal in 2026.
One extra that makes the difference: Pack Premium Gold.
When planning a year full of events, peace of mind matters. The Pack Premium Gold offers more comfort, more protection and more tranquillity on every journey, so you can focus on what really matters: enjoying each event to the fullest.
2026: a year to experience events in Portugal.
From major festivals and local celebrations to exhibitions and sporting competitions, 2026 promises to be a year full of reasons to get out, travel and explore Portugal. Discover our car rental options and our extras, designed to help you plan your calendar and enjoy every event with total freedom.
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