Festa de Santo Antonio

Every June, Lisbon bursts into celebration for the Festa de Santo António, honoring its patron saint with infectious energy. For two days-June 12th and 13th-historic alleys and hills are transformed by colorful decorations, the savory aroma of grilled sardines, and the lively rhythms of parades and street parties. Locals, couples, and travelers alike dive into Lisbon’s most authentic summer celebration, where love, music, and tradition fill the air.

The festival’s heart beats in Alfama, Bairro Alto, and Graça, where both locals and visitors are swept up in music, laughter, and the smoke of open grills. The city comes alive with the famous Santo António mass weddings and the dazzling Marchas Populares parade, capturing the true spirit of Lisbon in every street.

Marchas Populares and Santo António Weddings

Arraiais (Street Parties), Costumes, and Decorations

Traditional Food and Drink

The origins of the Santo António festival date back to the 13th century, beginning as a religious event in honor of Lisbon-born Saint Anthony (António of Padua, 1195–1231). Renowned for his powerful sermons, compassion for the poor, and reputation as the patron saint of lost things and matchmaking, Saint Anthony has long been beloved by Lisbon’s people. He was officially named patron saint of Portugal in 1930 and of Lisbon in 1981.

The festival centers on June 13th, Saint Anthony’s feast day, and originally featured solemn processions and masses. Over time, elements of midsummer sun and pagan fertility rituals were incorporated, turning the event into a citywide celebration. June is also peak sardine season, so the scent of grilled sardines fills Lisbon’s streets, earning the festival the nickname “Sardine Festival.”

From the 1930s, the Marchas Populares parade began, with district teams competing in costumes, song, and dance along Avenida da Liberdade. In the 1950s, the city’s mass wedding tradition was introduced, with couples blessed by Saint Anthony and celebrated by the whole city.

Today, the Santo António festival blends religious devotion with parades, street parties, and the romantic tradition of exchanging basil pots (manjerico). It’s a living tradition that embodies Lisbon’s pride, hospitality, and zest for life, bringing together locals and visitors to celebrate the magic of summer in the city.

As a tourist, I joined my first arraial in Graça and tried caldo verde for the first time. Locals taught me to dance, and I spent the night eating sardines, singing, and soaking up the magical Lisbon night until sunrise.

• The festival is also called the “Sardine Festival,” with over a million sardines consumed each year.
• The Santo António mass wedding has been held since the 1950s and is broadcast on TV.
• It’s a tradition for lovers to exchange basil pots (manjerico) with paper flags and poems during the festival.

The Festa de Santo António is held every June 12–13, centered in Lisbon’s Alfama, Bairro Alto, Graça, and along Avenida da Liberdade. Grab a sardine at a street party and let yourself be swept away by the magic of Lisbon’s summer.