top of page
Search

All Lisbon Events and Festivals in 2026: A Comprehensive Guide

ree

Hey there, fellow wanderers! If you're plotting your next adventure and Lisbon's on your radar, I'd highly recommend making 2026 your year to dive deep into this sun-drenched city's soul. As someone who's lost count of the times I've wandered its seven hills—sipping ginjinha in hidden alleys or catching a fado set at dusk—I can tell you Lisbon doesn't just have events; it has rhythms that pulse through the seasons, blending ancient traditions with modern beats.

From the electric buzz of summer music fests to the introspective glow of winter holidays, 2026 promises a calendar packed with concerts, festivals, carnivals, exhibitions, film screenings, fashion weeks, and more. With mild weather year-round (think 10-25°C/50-77°F), it's easy to hop from one highlight to the next. Let me suggest a month-by-month roadmap, drawing from the latest confirmed details, to help you craft your perfect itinerary—complete with what to see, do, and eat along the way.


January: New Year's Echoes and Cultural Awakening

Kick off 2026 with Lisbon's gentle transition from holiday cheer to fresh starts. I'd suggest easing in with the New Year's Concert at Centro Cultural de Belém on January 1, 2026 (tickets €5-€18), where the Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra delivers a classical symphony under the stars—pure magic after midnight fireworks.


Follow it with the Fado in Chiado series (ongoing through January, evenings at various Chiado venues, €20-€30), intimate performances that capture the city's melancholic heart. For a cultural deep dive, the Vieira da Silva Immersive Exhibition at Museu do Fado runs until January 18, 2026 (entry €10), blending art with sensory tech for a mesmerizing experience.

What to do: Stroll Belém's waterfront for river views.

See: Jerónimos Monastery (€10).

Eat: Pastéis de nata at Pastéis de Belém (€1.50)—crispy, custardy perfection.

February: Carnival Fever Takes Hold

February 2026 heats up with Carnival (Entrudo), and I'd urge you to embrace the chaos from February 13-17, peaking on February 17 (Carnival Day). Lisbon's streets erupt in parades across Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré, with floats, samba dancers, and clowns in wild costumes—free to join, though VIP viewing spots cost €10-20. Nearby, Sesimbra's clown parade draws thousands.


What to do: Dress up and dance in street parties.

See: Terreiro do Paço for the kickoff spectacle.

Eat: Sonhos doughnuts (€2)—sweet, fluffy bites amid the revelry.


March: Fashion, Film, and Spring Awakening

As spring blooms, March brings creative sparks. The ModaLisboa Fashion Week on March 7-9, 2026 at Pátio da Galé showcases Portuguese designers—tickets €15-50 for runway shows. I'd suggest pairing it with the IndieLisboa Film Festival (early March, various venues like Cinema São Jorge, €6-15 per screening), featuring indie docs and shorts.

What to do: Shop emerging labels.

See: Chiado's boutiques.

Eat: Bifana sandwiches (€3-5)—crispy pork perfection.


Events All Year in Bullet-Points


January

  • Jan 1 – New Year’s Concert at Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB), 8pm

  • Jan 1–18 – Vieira da Silva Immersive Exhibition at Museu do Fado

  • Jan (daily evenings) – Fado in Chiado at Teatro do Bairro Alto or Casa de Linhares

  • Jan 1–31 – Winter Lights on Avenida da Liberdade (free nightly display)

February

  • Feb 13–17 – Carnival (Entrudo) Lisbon

    • Feb 13–16: Street parties in Bairro Alto & Cais do Sodré (free, 1am starts)

    • Feb 17 (Carnival Tuesday): Grand Parade on Avenida da Liberdade, 3pm–8pm (free street viewing)

  • Feb 14–17 – Sesimbra Clown Parade (30min train) on Waterfront, 3pm daily

  • Feb 15 – Chapitô à Noite Circus Parade in Bairro Alto, 8pm

March

  • Mar 7–9 – ModaLisboa Fashion Week at Pátio da Galé

  • Mar 8–16 – IndieLisboa International Film Festival at Cinema São Jorge, Culturgest

  • Mar 15–Apr 15 – Lisbon Half Marathon starting at Ponte 25 de Abril

April

  • Apr 13–15 – Lisbon Architecture Triennale ("How Heavy is a City?") at MAAT, MNAC, Culturgest

  • Apr 18–21 – Lisboa Dance Festival at Teatro Camões

  • Apr 25 – Liberty Day (public holiday) – Parades at Praça do Comércio

May

  • May 1 – Labour Day – Free concerts at Jardim da Estrela

  • May 13 – Fátima Pilgrimage (1.5h train) – Main procession at Sanctuary, all day

  • May (every Sunday) – Somersby Out Jazz at Jardim da Estrela, Tapada das Necessidades

  • May 15–18 – Lisbon Book Fair at Parque Eduardo VII


June – Festas de Lisboa (Santos Populares)

  • Jun 1–30 – Festas de Lisboa citywide

    • Jun 12: Santo António Parade on Avenida da Liberdade, 8pm

    • Jun 13: Casamentos de Santo António (mass weddings) at Sé Cathedral

    • Jun 23: São João Street Parties (Alfama, Mouraria) – sardines, bonfires

    • Jun 29: São Pedro (Graça & Madragoa)

  • Jun 20–21 & 27–28 – Rock in Rio Lisboa at Parque da Bela Vista

  • Jun 15–Jul 15 – NOS Alive (nearby Algés)

July

  • Jul 1–15 – Festival dos Oceanos at Parque das Nações, Belém, Cais do Sodré – free concerts & exhibits

  • Jul (weekends) – Jazz em Agosto at Gulbenkian Garden Amphitheatre

  • Jul 18–20 – Super Bock Super Rock at Meco Beach (40min train)

August

  • Aug 1–31 – Operafest Lisboa e Oeiras ("Forbidden Loves") at Jardim do Palácio do Marquês de Pombal, Oeiras

  • Aug 8–10 – EDP CoolJazz at Hipódromo Manuel Possolo, Cascais

  • Aug 15 – Assumption of Mary (public holiday) – Processions in Alfama

September

  • Sep 5–7 – ModaLisboa (Lisbon Fashion Week) at Pátio da Galé

  • Sep 12–14 – LUMINA Festival of Light at Belém, LX Factory, Cais do Sodré

  • Sep 18–27 – Queer Lisboa – International Queer Film Festival at Cinema São Jorge

  • Sep (mid-month) – Iberian Mask Festival – Pre-Carnival parades at Rossio & Chiado

October

  • Oct 5 – Republic Day – Military parade at Praça do Comércio

  • Oct 11–14 – Imagerie – Porto Photo Fest in Lisbon at LX Factory

  • Oct 20–23 – Lisboa Games Week at FIL (Parque das Nações)

  • Oct 23–26 – Algarve Classic Festival (Portimão, 2h train)


November

  • Nov 1 – All Saints’ Day – Cemetery visits, flower markets

  • Nov 7–16 – LEFFEST – Lisbon & Estoril Film Festival at Estoril Casino, Cinema Ideal

  • Nov 20–23 – Web Summit at Altice Arena

  • Nov (early) – Iberian Mask Festival – Warm-up parades at Baixa

December

  • Dec 1 – Restoration of Independence – Parade on Avenida da Liberdade, 11am

  • Dec 8 – Immaculate Conception (public holiday)

  • Dec 1–Jan 6 – Wonderland Lisboa at Parque Eduardo VII – Ice rink, Ferris wheel

  • Dec 24 – Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at Sé Cathedral

  • Dec 25–28 – Cirque du Soleil – OVO at MEO Arena

  • Dec 31 – São Silvestre 10km Race at Praça do Comércio, 5pm

  • Dec 31 – New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Praça do Comércio, midnight

Best Stays for Event-Goers

Stay central: Memmo Alfama (€200/night) for Bairro Alto. Velvedere hotel (€250/night) for Avenida da Liberdad. Book early!

Lisbon 2026 is a year of rhythms and revelations—from Carnival's chaos to summer's symphony. I'd suggest packing curiosity and letting the city lead—your adventure awaits!








 
 
 
bottom of page