Algarve events for April are now in our Algarve resort events calendars and the highlights are updated weekly on the events page on Algarve Uncovered.
There are some great things to look forward to in April and, of course, it's Easter which is celebrated widely in the Algarve with both religious festivals and a variety of Folar Fairs. São Brás celebrates Easter Sunday with the Flower Torches Festival when the streets are strewn with flowers, the best bedspreads are hung from the balconies and people join the procession from the church with their beautifully made flower "Torches".
Also on Easter Sunday, Loulé starts the Festival of Mãe Soberana (The Sovereign Mother), with the 'Festa Pequena' (small feast) when a procession, attended by thousands of people, carries the Image through the streets to the Church of S. Francisco. The festival ends on 26th April with the 'Festa Grande'.
Easter is also the time for villages and towns to celebrate with Folar fairs - normally involving a certain amount of tasting of local licors along with slices of traditional Easter folar cakes and music to help the party atmosphere!
One very important date for April is "Liberation Day" on the 25th when Portugal celebrates the peaceful Carnation Revolution of 1974 that ended 50 years of dictatorship. Many of the towns have all sorts of sports and music events and celebrations on this bank holiday with fireworks at midnight in Albufeira, Lagos and Faro (that we know about) - and if you are in Lagos you may well hear the sound of cannon fire first thing in the morning as well!
If you are a motorsport fan then one of the A1GP World Cup events is taking place at the Algarve Race Track (Autodromo do Algarve) near Portimão over the Easter weekend. For those of you who don't know what A1GP is all about I looked it up (I'm sorry to say I didn't have a clue!). The gist of it is - the cars are identically manufactured in the same factory and each national team is issued with a car for the season. So unlike other motorsports it is country v country and purely down to the driving skills of each team. The race weekends follow a set pattern of: Friday for practice sessions, Saturday for qualifying sessions and Sunday has a Sprint Race and a Feature Race. So there you are! Looking ahead to May there will be an 'Historic Formula 1 Championship' - so make sure you don't miss out on anything and keep checking the Portimão events page for more information at the race track.
The Vodafone Rally returns to the Algarve again this year (2nd to 5th April) and is based at the Algarve Stadium near Faro, but if it's water sports that float your boat (apologies!) then don't miss the Portugal F1 Powerboat Grand Prix at Portimão (4th and 5th).
One of the most important equestrian events on the Portugal calendar is the month long Equestrian Tour at Vilamoura and for cycling fans Alte is holding it's very popular 11th BTT where up to 2000 participants are expected.
Faro is commemorating National Motorcyclists Day (19th) and also organising a"Downwind and Big Air" Kitesurf Competition at Faro beach (18th &19th) while Quarteira City Triathlon takes place on the 4th & 5th.
On a less energetic note Loulé will have themed Saturday markets (including anitques, flowers and herbs), while Faro market has music and other entertainment also on Saturdays. Tavira's Spring festival takes place on 24th to 26th and there will be a craft fair on Easter Saturday.
At the end of the month (30th to 3rd May) Silves is holding it's annual 'Ruralidades Fair' at Fissul (Silves Fairs and Exhibitions centre) - a chance to see, try or buy all sorts of lovely local produce and craftwork and lots of entertainment laid on for all the family. The same weekend (29th to 3rd May) Olhão is holding it's 6th Expomar - for all things nautical!
My final selection is musical with Gypsy Jazz at TEMPO's Café Concerto in Portimão (10th) and Viva Big Band Jazz in the Auditorium at Vale do Lobo (24th)!
There are far too many Algarve events in April to mention them all here, but hopefully I've managed to tempt you with something! Do check the events pages on our Algarve resort guides for more information and our Algarve Events page for weekly updates.