2024 Events and Festivals in Porto

Located next to the emblematic Douro River, the city of Porto enchants all who visit it with its unchanging charm and the fusion of its rich history with a modern and vibrant atmosphere. From its historic center and all the architecture that makes you feel connected to the city, from the various bridges that link it to Vila Nova de Gaia, the famous Clérigos Tower, the well-known Cathedral, the famous Lello Bookshop, the tradition of Port wine, this city is also known for its renowned cultural activities that take place all year round.

Among the activities on our agenda is this year’s Wine & Travel Week, taking place from February 18th to 25th, and the 20th edition of the Essência do Vinho festival, taking place from February 22nd to 25th at the Palácio da Bolsa. These two events are interlinked and aim to promote wine tourism through networking activities, experiences that help spread the word about the essence of wine, and getting to know various places where grapes are grown and harvested. In March, from the 1st to the 10th, we can count on the 44th edition of Fantasporto, Oporto’s International Film Festival, which takes place at the Batalha Cinema Center, where a wide range of films are presented for all film lovers.

In mid-spring, two events truly mark our city: the famous academic festival known as Queima das Fitas, which takes place from May 4th to 11th at the Queimódromo, and in June, the iconic Serralves em Festa. This festival celebrates cultural diversity above all, as well as the artistic innovation that is being felt at the moment, through a program that encompasses multiple artistic strands, such as: performing arts, visual arts, music, and sculpture, among others.

It’s followed by one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the year, the Festa de S. João (St. John’s Festival), which takes place from June 23rd to 24th, welcoming summer with lots of festivities and joy. All day and all night, people hit the streets, releasing hot air balloons and holding various parties all over the city. It’s also during this time of year that numerous music festivals are held nationwide. In the city of Porto, and still in June, we can count on NOS Primavera Sound, from June 6th to 8th in the stunning Parque da Cidade, and in July, from the 19th to the 21st, MEO Marés Vivas in Vila Nova de Gaia, at the Madalena campsite. In July we can also count on the Douro & Porto Wine Festival, taking place in Lamego on the 5th and 6th.

Between the end of September and the beginning of October, we can count on the much-anticipated Francesinhas Festival, where various restaurants in Oporto come together to present their interpretation of this iconic dish. And finally, during December, we have the city of Porto embellished with the famous Christmas decorations, the typical markets of this time of year, the charity parties that spread throughout the city, and the long-awaited New Year’s Eve party, full of concerts, joy, good cheer and a firework display that you won’t soon forget.

The city’s commitment to preserving its heritage, while embracing innovation and an ever-increasing cultural diversity, has allowed Oporto to become a dynamic cultural center, where tradition and modernity merge perfectly.