June is arriving, so is the fun in Lisbon

The most traditional events are set to happen in Lisbon, in June, with the celebration of Santos Populares, where “from the Castelo to the Avenida, from Praça do Comércio to Alfama, a whole month of celebration, party and culture will fill streets, squares and showrooms.”

Marchas Populares

In June, the most cherished saint in Lisbon is celebrated, Santo António, the celebrations are promoted by Lisbon City Council, through the municipal company EGEAC/Lisboa Cultura, with a programme that “bets on diversity to reach every target audience”. For more information, visit egeac.pt.

As usual, the Marchas Populares are the most awaited moment of June, where the different neighbourhoods of the Portuguese capital participate in a parade on Avenida da Liberdade, trying to win the most categories possible. This year the programme began with an exposition on Meo Arena from 30 May until 1 June, where each of the 24 neighbourhoods exposed a bit of their day-by-day as contestants in the Marchas Populares. However, the ex-libris of Marchas Populares happens on 12 June, where the 24 contestants walk down Avenida da Liberdade, on the day before Santo António’s celebration. The entrance is free, and the parade starts at 9 pm.

Santo António

This year is marked by another edition of the Trezena de Santo António, with the celebrations starting on the 3rd June, at Museu de Lisboa – Santo António and Igreja de Santo António.

On the first day of the festivities, the “Guitarradas” will happen, where people may hear Igreja de Santo António, Ivan Cardoso and José Manuel Neto in a guitar concert, that starts at 6:30 pm. The day after is marked by a theatre play called "The Miracles of Santo António”, set to happen at 6:30 pm. The play will be reprised on 10 and 28 June by 4 pm.

On 7 June, two different events will be held at the same time, at 10:30 am, one aimed at a younger audience, with activities for children to know the traditions of Santo António with their families. The other activity promises a historical lesson while visiting the places that marked Fernando de Bulhões’, known as Santo António, life.

As part of the Lisbon tradition, Fado will not be part of the celebrations, being sung in a special mass to happen on 8 June at 5 pm, as well as a Fado concert in homage to Santo António, by Luís Caeiro, to take place on 9 June at 6:30 pm.

A procession in honour of Santo António will also be held on 10 June, at 11 am, in a path that passes by Alfama and some churches, where some saints are also integrated.

From 7 to 30 June, it is possible to be always in the presence of Santo António in Lisbon’s streets as locals and shop owners will be exposing the “Tronos de Santo António” (Santo António’s Thrones), filling the city’s streets with colour, while expressing the neighbourhood identity.

The most famous event of the Santo António celebrations is definitely the marriages that happen during the time. On 12 June, 16 couples from 27 to 50 years old, from various Lisbon parishes, will get married together in the most famous marriage celebrations in the country. At 2 pm, the brides and fiancés will be expressing their love in Sé de Lisboa.

Arraiais Populares

Until 29 June, the smell of grilled sardines is felt in the air, along with the beautiful manjericos that decorate the streets.

Each neighbourhood has its own music and food, as well as tables for people to enjoy their meal, or simply their drink, as there are usually several bars ready to hand a beer or two to those who pass by. This year the Arraiais Populares will take place in Alcântara, Carnide, Estrela, Marvila, Misericórdia, Olivais, Penha da França, Santa Maria Maior and São Vicente neighbourhoods. The food and drinks stands belong to organisations from each neighbourhood, this way, besides having fun, people know that they will support the people who are trying to make their neighbourhood a better place.

Besides the most traditional, Lisbon is proud to host the EuroPride 2025, for the first time, an LGBTI+ event, where talks, shows and other events, like sports activities, will be held. The event takes place from 14 to 22 June and will take place in various places in the Portuguese capital. For more information, the website europride2025.pt is available.

Celebrate culture

The famous Lisbon Book Fair will take place in Parque Eduardo VII from 4 to 22 June, filling the park with editors and bookshop stands, where people can buy the most varied books. Besides the fair, there will also be other events celebrating Fernando Pessoa and poetry.

Other forms of art will also be celebrated, with the possibility of participating in activities like “Os Escribas de Lisboa”, to be held on 14 June from 2 pm until 5 pm, where people may write like in the times of the Roman Empire.

Music will also be part of the events to happen in June, always aiming to homage what was once made in Lisbon, while celebrating artists from the city through expositions of important objects, for example.

The world in Lisbon

The international cultures will also have a highlight during June, namely the Asian culture.

On 7 June, the Party of the Korean Culture will take place in Jardins do Museu de Lisboa – Palácio Pimenta, where the Korean culture will be showcased and the K-Pop World Festival Portugal will also take place.

The Thai Festival is set to happen between 20 and 22 June, in Belém as well as the Festa do Japão, in the same place, on 28 June.

The Bollywood Festival and the Indian Market will take place on 7 June in Alameda Mahatma Gandi.

To celebrate Africa, from 9 to 11 June, in Cinema São Jorge and Capitólio, the MAMA África will be held.

The Japanese culture will also have a special place during June, as part of Osaka’s presence at Expo 25, connecting the culture of Lisbon with the Japanese city.

The Grand Finale

The closure of the celebrations will definitely be marked, and the parting events will happen on two different days: 28 and 29 June.

In Terreiro do Paço, one of the most famous Lisbon squares, on 28 June the Portuguese group D.A.M.A will bring guests and present a live show combining pop with Portuguese folk music, inviting artists like Ágata and Buba Espinho. The winning neighbourhood of Marchas Populares will also be present in this live performance.

On 29 June, the singer Bárbara Bandeira will sing along with the GNR Symphony Band, in a show that promises to combine modernity with tradition, where Bárbara will sing her most famous hits, with an orchestral arrangement. The Fado singer Carminho will also be on stage during the show.