Commemorating a saint with sardines and beer

Are you going to Portugal this month and do you like to party? Book a few more nights! Because June is the month of Festas dos Santos Populares!  It literally means celebrations of the popular saints. And for those who think Portuguese people celebrate it only in a church…you are wrong!

Especially in Lisbon - where the month is better known as Festas de Lisboa-  it´s celebrated very well!  The whole month of June is a big party in Lisbon and you will find many arraiais (street parties) all over the city. The highlight of this month is the celebration of Santo António (12 & 13 June).

Santo António

This celebration commemorates Santo António, who died on the 13th of June 1231. Santo António (known as Saint Anthony of Padua) is the patron saint of Lisbon and was a preacher in the 13th century. He was known for his love and devotion to the poor and sick people (hence the Sint Antonius hospital in the Netherlands). So far, my history lesson about Saint Anthony! Because actually… it is way more important to know how this day is celebrated!

In short, it´s a combination of grilled sardines, beer and lots of party people! Not much different from the other days of the month, except that it´s even busier during Santo António.

The best places to celebrate this day are without a doubt Alfama and Graça. These two neighbourhoods are within walking distance from each other, so you can easily start in Alfama and walk/dance/crawl to Graça.

Besides parties in the evening/night, there are also some events during the day.

Nice, nicer, nicest

Every 12th June the Marchas Populares takes place. These are parades on Avenida da Liberdade (Avenue of Liberty, one of Lisbon's main streets). Different neighbourhoods of Lisbon compete for the most beautiful parade.  There are about twenty neighbourhoods participating and each has its own music, costumes and choreography.

A Santo António wedding 

Since 1958, the tradition has been to get some couples - who are financially strapped – married at the same moment. It hasn't happened in the past two years, due to Covid, but this year the tradition continues! Sixteen couples will say yes (at least I hope) in the church of Santo António!

And what about religion...?

You might almost forget, but this celebration commemorates a saint. If you still want to do something with the Christian faith, there is a procession on the 13^th of June. This procession starts at igreja de Santo António (Saint Anthony's church) and goes through the streets of Alfama. It ends at the starting point. Obviously, several masses are held on this day in different churches.

In short, June is a month full of fun and it´s almost (because of the street parties) impossible to not see it! You can celebrate it in almost every neighbourhood of Lisbon, but especially in the old neighbourhoods of the city; Alfama, Graça, Bica, Mouraria and Bairro Alto. 

Haven't celebrated it yet? Get out your sardine hat (because of course you have one!), take the metro to Terreiro do Paço or Santa Apolónia and walk to Alfama. You will probably meet a lot of people who want to celebrate this month with you! Have fun! 😊