Find out when and, more importantly, how to make the most of Portuguese public holidays and traditions...

Unlike some countries, national holidays in Portugal are always celebrated on the actual date. Also, not all holidays have the same impact on the daily life of the Portuguese. During holidays such as Christmas or New Year's Day, most businesses are closed, while on other holidays shops may close earlier or even keep their doors open. It's all a matter of tradition and the cultural importance that the Portuguese attribute to each date.

Find out more about Portugal's holidays and how to make the most of them! These festive dates are rich with diverse cultural traditions, so join the party in your community and share their appreciation for the simplest things in life!

Portuguese National Holidays 

• 1st January - New Year's Day: This is a day to be celebrated with the family. If the sun is shining, you'll find people walking along the coast or in the countryside while making plans for the new year. Usually, everything is closed, so enjoy the outdoors or snuggle up by a fireplace with a good glass of Portuguese wine!
  
  
• Carnival Tuesday: This date is celebrated on different dates depending on the calendar, but it's not a mandatory holiday. Learn more here. 
  
  
• Good Friday: With all schools and public services closed, many Portuguese enjoy a quick getaway and head towards the Algarve where the temperature is already perfect for enjoying the sun and the sea. 
  
  
• Easter Sunday: This is one of the most traditional holidays, being a family celebration that is especially celebrated at the table. Easter traditions in Portugal vary a lot from region to region, but good food is always present! 
  
  
• 25th April - Freedom Day: This day marks the end of Portugal's dictatorial regime known as "Estado Novo". It is celebrated with red carnations, a symbol of the early hours of the Revolution of 1974 when the victorious military paraded through the streets of Lisbon with these flowers in the barrel of their rifles.
  
  
• 1st May - Labor Day: Following the international date, this day celebrates Portuguese workers. Some political groups and trade unions will hold demonstrations, which are always carried out with the approval of the local authorities. Outside the big cities, the day is used to relax and enjoy the warm Spring weather!
  
  
• Corpus Christi Feast: This holiday is celebrated between 21 May and 24 June, always on a Thursday 60 days after Easter Sunday. Many Portuguese take advantage of the following Friday to take a day's holiday and have a long weekend.
  
  
• 10th June - Day of Portugal, Camoes and the Portuguese Communities: The date of Luis Vaz de Camoes' death in 1580 is a reminder not only of Portugal's rich history but also of the millions of Portuguese who immigrated in search of a better life. Learn more here.
  
  
• 15th August - Assumption of Our Lady: This date, according to the beliefs of the Catholic Church, was the day the Virgin Mary ascended to Heaven. Because it is celebrated during one of the main holiday periods of the Portuguese, the beaches are usually full at this time, as well as the festivities in the villages and towns. With the return of emigrants and tourists, the good weather is an invitation to make the most of this holiday in the peak of summer!
  
  
• 5th October - Implantation of the Republic: Until 1910 Portugal was a monarchy. This date celebrates the Implantation of the Portuguese Republic and is celebrated with official ceremonies.
  
  
• 1st November - All Saints' Day: A day to celebrate Catholic saints and martyrs, but also loved ones who have passed away. Portuguese cemeteries are beautifully decorated with flowers and lighted candles that illuminate the traditional stone graves. During the morning, it's traditional in rural villages for children to ask for the "Pao por Deus" (Bread for God). Families make home-made "broas" (sweet dough bread) with honey, olive oil, nuts, and other local ingredients, depending on the region of Portugal.
  
  
• 1st December - Restoration of Independence: This date celebrates the restoration of Portugal's independence in 1640, ending 60 years of Spanish rule. It's a day of national pride, celebrating the independence of one of Europe's oldest nations.

• 8th December - Immaculate Conception: This holiday is celebrated since 25 March 1646, by a declaration of King John IV. Historically, the Portuguese have always had a very strong connection with the Virgin Mary, whom the Catholics consider more than a mother, the Queen and Patroness of Portugal.
  
  
• 25th December - Christmas: Christmas in Portugal is a family celebration. At “Consoada”, the typical dishes of the Christmas season are savoured, which vary from region to region but where boiled cod and cabbage are always a classic. At midnight on the 25th, some Portuguese Christian families continue the tradition of going to the "Missa do Galo" (midnight mass) and gifts are exchanged.

Whatever the holiday, the Portuguese are skilled at the art of gathering family and friends around the table, enjoying simple food made with the freshest ingredients and a lot of love. There's always so much to see and do, you won't want to stay at home!

If you would like to be part of this fabulous lifestyle please contact us. We have a large selection of properties for sale in Portugal with everything you need to enjoy the best of Portugal, 365 days a year! From centrally located apartments, close to golf courses or beautiful beaches, to gorgeous new build modern villas, near fishing villages, or with breathtaking countryside views over fields of fruit trees. Your dream home awaits you! 

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