FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
1. Flower Torches Festival
São Brás de Alportel town centre • Easter Sun
Dozens of suited men holding aloft elaborate bouquets of flower torches line a “flower pavement” – a series of roads decorated with carpets of colourful petals that a religious procession follows as it makes its way towards the parish church. Set near the church, a handicrafts fair opens mid-morning, and there’s another fair selling local delicacies at Largo S. Sebastião.
Flower Torches Festival
2. Mãe Soberana, Loulé
Loulé town centre • Usually last week in Apr
This is the Algarve’s most important religious festival, linked to ancient maternity rites. On the second Sunday after Easter (Festa Grande), a 16th-century statue of Mãe Soberana (the Sovereign Mother) is carried into town from her hilltop shrine. Exuding solemnity and piety, the subdued procession makes its way to Loulé’s parish church where the image rests for two weeks. On the return journey the mood is more ebullient – flowers are tossed at the cortège, and there are cries of “Viva Mãe Soberana!”
3. Festival Med, Loulé
Loulé • Last week in Jun • www.festivalmed.pt
This festival celebrates the Algarve’s Mediterranean and North African culture through concerts, culinary events, art exhibitions and children’s activities, held in and around Loulé. It also includes world-class acts from Brazil, the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa. Many of the town’s monuments – such as the castle and Islamic bathhouse (see Loulé) – serve as festival venues.
4. Mercado de Culturas à Luz das Velas, Lagoa
Lagoa • 4–7 Jul
Lit by more than 12,000 flickering candles, this atmospheric outdoor market illuminates the seaside town of Lagoa and celebrates the cultural diversity of the region. Over the course of four nights, more than sixty skilled craftspeople from a variety of cultures and religions display their traditions, gastronomy and arts. Not only is this event beautiful to look at, it’s also a fantastic place to purchase locally made products, wine and international delicacies.
5. Portimão Sardine Festival
Portimão riverfront • Usually 1st week in Aug
Generally regarded as the sardine capital of the Algarve, Portimão throws a big party in summer to honour this venerable fish. Revellers are drawn to the riverfront by live music and the delicious aroma of grilled sardines. On the last night, there is a huge firework display.
6. Silves Medieval Fair
Silves • Second week in Aug • Adm for jousting displays
Silves returns to its former medieval splendour during this festival, when the centre’s narrow streets and alleys become one huge souk. Visitors can enjoy parades, live music, street theatre and jousting competitions.
Silves Medieval Fair
7. Seafood Festival, Olhão
Jardim Patrão Joaquim Lopes, Olhão • 10–15 Aug • www.festivaldomarisco.com
Olhão is the Algarve’s biggest fishing port, and at festival time numerous stalls groan under the weight of every imaginable seafood delicacy, including octopus, squid, clams, prawns, mussels and the ubiquitous grilled sardine. Folk music and dancing add further flavour.
8. Fatacil, Lagoa
Fatacil showground, EN 125, Lagoa • Mid-Aug • www.fatacil.pt • Adm
The premier showcase for all things Algarve, this nine-day jamboree attracts visitors from all over Portugal. It is part agricultural show, part handicrafts fair – with a music concert, trade exhibition and gastronomy festival thrown in for good measure.
9. Medieval Fair, Castro Marim
Castro Marim • Last week in Aug • Adm
For a few days towards the end of the summer the town of Castro Marim returns to the Middle Ages to host a spectacular pageant and fair in the grounds of the 13th-century castle. Archers draw their bows on mock bullseye targets while mounted knights tilt their lances, and jesters entertain the crowd with medieval music and banter. At night, actors in period costume recreate medieval plays before a hushed audience.
10. Algarve Classic Car Festival
Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, Mexilhoeira Grande • 3rd weekend in Oct • www.autodromodoalgarve.com • Adm
Hundreds of legendary sports cars can be seen at this remarkable annual event. Various races take place for different categories of vehicle. Previous events have attracted many celebrated drivers such as Walter Röhrl.
Algarve Classic Car Festival
