Festa do Colete Encarnado (Festival of the Red Waistcoat)

Every July, the riverside town of Vila Franca de Xira explodes into three days of passion and tradition for the Festa do Colete Encarnado. Sometimes called “Portugal’s answer to Pamplona,” this festival honors the campinos (the iconic cattlemen of the Ribatejo plains) and the region’s deep pride in bulls, horses, and rural life. Locals and visitors alike are swept up in the energy of bull runs, music, parades, and a sea of red waistcoats filling the city squares.

The thunder of hooves on cobblestones, the aroma of grilled sardines, and the sight of thousands in red vests create a festival that immerses all five senses in Portugal’s countryside culture. Whether you crave adrenaline, tradition, or an authentic taste of Portugal, this is a summer highlight not to be missed.

Bull Runs, Campino Parade, and Nightlife

Costumes and Decorations

Traditional Food and Drink

The Festa do Colete Encarnado began in 1932, founded by José Van-Zeller Pereira Palha to honor the campinos and Ribatejo’s rural workers. Initially, it also raised funds for the local fire brigade, but it soon became a proud symbol of the town’s cattle-herding, horsemanship, and bullfighting culture. Held every first weekend of July, the festival has only paused during wartime and the pandemic.

Each year, the “Pampilho de Honra” (Honor Staff) is awarded to a distinguished campino. For locals, the festival is a cherished time to reunite with friends and family, celebrate their roots, and share their pride with visitors from across Portugal and beyond.

“As a tourist, I was blown away by the energy and tradition. I danced all night with locals during Sardine Night, and the sight of the campinos on horseback is unforgettable.”

The Festa do Colete Encarnado is held every year on the first weekend of July in Vila Franca de Xira. Put on a red waistcoat and dive into the passion of Ribatejo!