Algarve Events

The Algarve has a great programme of events throughout the year and right across the region. There are fireworks and parties for New Year, carnivals at Mardi Gras and concerts throughout the summer with a variety of artists performing jazz, pop, rock and classical music.

During the summer months the "Allgarve" programme of events includes many open air concerts with a wide range of artists, medieval festivals, gastronomy festivals, street theatre spectaculars and of course the gorgeous weather is perfect for beach parties! If you would like see how much goes on in summer in the Algarve, have a look at a previous year's Algarve Summer Events programme.

Algarve sports events attract spectators and competitors from all over the world and include powerboat racing, kitesurfing, surfing, sailing, cycling, tennis and golf and, with the opening of the race track near Portimão, there are various motorsport events on the calendar. (For information on motorsports at the Algarve Motor Park / Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, see Portimão Events).

The Algarve has plenty on offer for art and music lovers too with cultural events throughout the year - there are art galleries in nearly every town with constantly changing exhibitions from both international and local artists as well as concerts, theatre productions and dance shows.

There are also local festivals, fairs and Algarve markets aplenty - gastronomy festivals to sample the local delicacies; craftwork fairs demonstrating the skills of local artisans like lace-makers, ceramic artists and basket makers and then historical festivals recreating medieval times and celebrating the Voyages of the Discoveries for which the western Algarve is famous. The biggest and best known markets are Loulé (every Saturday morning) and Quarteira (every Wednesday morning).

If you're not sure exactly when you're coming to the Algarve yet, check out the Algarve Annual Events programme so you don't miss out on something when you book your holiday!

Algarve Events May 2013

Here are just a few of the events that are taking place in the Algarve this month and next. You can also check out our Algarve Uncovered resort guides for specific events information. For more Algarve Events information download the Algarve Events Guide May 2013 produced by ERT Algarve – Algarve Regional Tourism Board.

	Typical Sweets Markets Venue: Alcoutim Quayside every wekend from 4th April to 26th May 10am to 6pm Homemade jams, cookies, liqueurs and sweets to take home with you!
	Performances by Lena d'Água Venue: 17th at Casino de Vilamoura 18th at Casino de Monte Gordo 30€ (dinner and show at 20.30);14€ (show only at 22.30)
	Marco Rodrigues "Entretanto" Venue: TEMPO - Teatro Municipal, Portimão on 18th May at 21.30 Tickets 10€ & 12€ Fado singer Marco Rodrigues presenting his latest album "Entretanto"
	International Snail Festival Venue: Colina do Revelim de Santo António in Castro Marim from 17th to 19th May   If you like snails you'll love this festival!
	Algarve Chefs Week Venue: Until 18th May (19.30 to 22.30) at the following hotels:  Conrad Algarve, EPIC SANA Algarve, Hilton Vilamoura, Pestana Vila Sol, Pine Cliffs Residence, Sheraton Algarve Hotel, Tivoli Marina Vilamoura and Tivoli Victoria. Algarve Chefs Week for more information
	Mário Daniel Magic Show Venue: Pedro Ruivo Auditorium, Faro on 17th May at 21.30
	11th International Sand Sculpture Festival Venue: Fiesa (on the E524 road between Pera and Algoz) from 25th May to 25th October The theme for this year's sculptures is music and you can have a go at go at your own sculptures too! At night the sculptures are illuminated Open from 10 to 10 and midnight in summer.
	Gastronomy of the Sea Festival Venue: Participating restaurants in Tavira, Santa Luzia and Cabanas from 11th to 26th May More information and click on "ver brochura" for restaurants and menus.
	Wine and food pairing dinner Venue: Restaurante A Casa do Avô, Vale de Parra, Albufeira on 24th May at 8pm Characteristics of the Wines will be explained in detail by a bilingual Sommelier from Monte Cascas Winery 25,00 Euros per person, including wines. See A Casa do Avo for more information
	Yasaray Rodriguez - Flamenco Venue: Municipal Auditorium, Lagoa on 18th May at 21.30 Tickets 8€ Yasaray Rodriguez was the brilliant winner of the national flamenco competition "La Perla de Cádiz" in 2012. Now presenting her most recent project of traditional flamenco dance "Ropita Tendia"

Algarve Markets

Algarve markets are always popular and there are great bargains to be had. The biggest and best known are the Saturday morning gypsy market in Loulé and the Wednesday morning market in Quarteira where you can buy everything from lace to pots and pans! Most towns and villages have their own local daily markets for really fresh local produce at very good prices as well as a monthly gypsy market, so there is nearly always somewhere close by if you can't resist a bargain!

Albufeira markets:

• Gipsy / Flea Market on the street 'Rua da Escolas' (near the municipal canteen) on the 3rd Saturday of every month
• Market twice a month in Caliços on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month

Alcoutim markets:

• Monthly market in Pereiro: In front of the church, on the 4th Sunday of every month
• Monthly market in Vaqueiros: (Exit to Bentos), on the 2nd Thursday of every month

Aljezur market:

• Monthly market near 'Igreja Nova' (the "new" church) on the 3rd Monday of every month.

Almancil market:

• Market twice a month near the school in Almancil on the 1st and 4th Sunday of every month

Castro Marim market:

• Monthly market at the town marketplace on the 2nd Saturday of every month

Faro market:

• Monthly market in Estói: Near the food market ("Mercado Abastecedor") on the 2nd Sunday of every month

Lagoa markets:

• Gipsy Market in front of Fatacil in Lagoa on the 4th Sunday of every month
• Monthly market in front of Fatacil in Lagoa on the 2nd Sunday of every month
• Monthly market in Ferragudo on the 2nd Sunday of the month
• Monthly market in Estombar at the Fairs and Exhibitions Park on the last Saturday of every month

Lagos markets:

• Market, at the municipal stadium (Estádio Municipal) on the 1st Saturday every month
• Cultural Centre (on the street 'Rua da Mata') on the 4th Sunday of every month

Loulé market:

• Weekly market on the street called 'Rua da Nossa Senhora da Piedade' every Saturday

Monchique markets:

• Gipsy / flea market in the square 'Largo dos Chorões' on the 4th Sunday of every month
• Monthly market in the market square 'Largo do Mercado' on the 2nd Friday of every month

Olhão markets:

• Gipsy / Flea market at Fuzeta (near the camping site) on the 1st Sunday of every month
• Monthly market in Moncarapacho on the street called 'Rua das Olarias' on the 1st Sunday every month

Portimão market:

• Gipsy / Flea market at the 'Fairs and Exhibition Park' in Portimão on the 1st Monday and 3rd Sunday every month

Quarteira market:

• Weekly market in 'Jardim Filipe Jonas' every Wednesday

Sagres market:

• Monthly market, in front of the market hall on the 1st Friday of every month

São Brás de Alportel markets:

• Gipsy / Flea Market on the street 'Rua 1.º de Junho' (near the school 'Poeta Bernardo Passos') on the 3rd Sunday of every month
• Weekly Market on the street 'Rua Boaventura Passos' every Saturday

Silves market:

• Gipsy / Flea Market, next to the Cemetery on the 3rd Monday of every month

Tavira markets:

• Antiques / Gipsy Market on 'Avenida D. Manuel I' (near to the new market hall) on the 1st Saturday every month
• Monthly market on the street 'Rua Vale Caranguejo' on the 3rd Saturday of every month

Vila do Bispo markets:

• Monthly market (in front of the market hall in Vila do Bispo) on the 1st Thursday of every month
• Market in Barão de São Miguel on the 1st Monday of every month

Vila Real de Santo António markets:

• Monthly market in Vila Real in the square 'Praça Marques do Pombal' on the 2nd Saturday of every month
• Monthly market in Monte Gordo (next to Turismo - tourist information office) on the 4th Saturday of every month
• Monthly market in Vila Nova de Cacela, near to the market building on the 3rd Sunday of every month

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Algarve Annual Events

January Events in the Algarve

• Festival of “Chouriças” (Sausages), which is also known as the Festival of S. Luís, the patron saint of animals in Querença .
• Janeiras Festival in Silves. The tradition of the Janeiras (seasonal songs) dates back to ancient times when, at the beginning of each year, the Romans would greet each other to evoke the god Janus who represented the guardian of the gateway to heaven.

February Events in the Algarve

• Carnivals take place across the Algarve on Shrove Tuesday and the preceding weekend. (If Easter is late, this can be in March)
• Cycling Tour of the Algarve (Volta ao Algarve)

March Events in the Algarve

• Festival of Hot bread and fresh cheese (Feira do Pão Quente e Queijo Fresco) in Vaqueiros.
• EXPOMAR Fair of the Sea and Nautical Activities in Olhão
• Traditional Sausage Fair in Monchique
• Gastronomy Festival of the Serra in Tavira (March/April)

April Events in the Algarve

• 'Liberation Day' on April 25th is always a reason for fireworks, music and entertainment in towns across the region.
• Vila de Amêijoas (Clams Festival) in Olhão
• Vodafone Rally of Portugal - Algarve Stadium is the base for the event with superspecial stages at the beginning and close of the rally (sometimes takes place in May)
• Baja Terras d’El Rei ( off road championships) - various locations

Easter Events in the Algarve

• Folar Fairs across the Algarve with music and entertainment and a chance to try the traditional 'folar' cakes - Easter cakes with hard boiled eggs (complete with shells) on top!
• Flower Torches Festival in São Brás de Alportel on Easter Sunday
• Feast of The Sovereign Mother ('Festa Pequena') in Loulé - a tradition dating from the 16th century.
• Triumphal Procession on Palm Sunday (Sunday before Easter Sunday) in Tavira - This is a religious event that was started in the 18th century by the Carmelite Order of the City of Tavira. The procession consists of decorated litters with gilt woodwork and images depicting the life of Christ from the Mount of Olives to his death.

May Events in the Algarve

• May Day is a day for celebrations and traditionally the festivities include dancing and music as well as heading into the countryside for a picnic lunch.
• May Fair in Azinhal- A chance to see the traditional skills that are typical of the area - bobbin lace, basketwork, embroidery, tapestry and weaving of esparto grass.
• Festa da Pinha (Festival of the Pine Cone) in Estoi - a traditional festival to celebrate spring
• "The Gastronomy of the Sea" - Festival in Tavira
• Snail Festival in Castro Marim
• 'May Sweet May' Jazz Festival in Portimão
• International sand sculpture festival at Pêra from May to October

June Events in the Algarve

• 'Feira da Terra' (local produce market) in Aljezur on 1st Saturday of each month from June to October
• Handicrafts Fair in Alcoutim
• Cataplana Festival in Almancil
• Popular Saints Festivals across the Algarve celebrating St. Anthony, St. John and St. Peter. The warm nights are filled with the aromas of barbecues and grilled sardines as the towns and villages celebrate, often partying until the small hours!
• Portuguese Gastronomy week in Lagoa
• Caldeirada (Fish stew) Festival in Armação de Pêra
• "Pleasures of the Sea" Festival in Aljezur - gastronomy, music, entertainment
• "Festival Med" in Loulé- mediterranean music, gastronomy and handicrafts

July Events in the Algarve

• "Arte Doce" Competition and Fair in Lagos - a wide range of traditional sweets as an art form! Also musical entertainment in the evenings
• Loulé Handicraft Fair
• Fair of the Serra in São Brás de Alportel
• Fair of Traditional Smoked Ham in Monchique
• Allgarve Jazz Festival in towns across the Algarve
• Algarve International Motorbike meeting in Faro

August Events in the Algarve

• The festival of 'Our Lady of the Oracle' (the patron saint of Albufeira fishermen)
• Municipal Day in Albufeira with lots of entertainment and fireworks
• Vaqueiros Festival (near Alcoutim)
• Burgau Festival
• Barão de S. Miguel festivals
• FATACIL in Lagoa - It is the major fair of handicrafts, tourism, agriculture, business and industry in the Algarve and also includes horse shows, evening entertainment and gastronomy
• Medieval Fair in Silves
• Medieval Fair in Castro Marim
• Noites de Moura Encatada in Cacela Velha - recreating the times of the Arab occupation with a traditional Souk, music, belly dancing and traditional food.
• Sardine Festival in Portimão - live music and entertainment, plus, of course, barbecued sardines!
• Shellfish Festival in Olhão - a major event with live music every night
• 'Sounds of the Atlantic' music festival at Senhora da Rocha, Lagoa - concerts, street theatre, handicrafts and gastronomy
• Grand Champions Tennis competition at Vale do Lobo

September Events in the Algarve

• Fishermen's festival at Praia dos Pescadores in Albufeira including a gastronomy festival
• Festival in Alcoutim
• Festival in Martinlongo
• Grand Prix of Portugal Powerboat P1 Championship in Portimão
• Formula One Wind Surfing championship at Alvor

October Events in the Algarve

• Santa Iria Fair in Faro - lots of entertainment, fairground rides and stalls at this 400 year old fair.
• Festival in honour of Nossa Senhora da Alva in Aljezur
• Festival and fair in Raposeira
• AgroExpo in Vila do Bispo – A fair of economic activities, tourism, gastronomy, handicrafts and livestock farming. Another essential ingredient is evening entertainment, with plenty of music on four consecutive days
• Partridge Fair in Martim Longo
• Sweet Potato Festival in Aljezur
• Gastronomy fortnight in Almancil
• Portugal Masters in Vilamoura for the golf enthusiasts
• Annual Fair in Monchique

November Events in the Algarve

• St. Martin's Fair in Portimão
• Gastronomy week in Messines
• Casinos do Algarve Rally with stages in Portimão and Monchique

December Events in the Algarve

• Loulé Mountain Fair - The aim of this festival is to enable people to find out more about the diversity and popular culture of the parishes of the “Serra do Caldeirão”. Visitors will be able to get a close up view of handicrafts, a variety of products, gastronomy, ethnography and the traditions of the upland regions.
• Albufeira Christmas Grand Prix - a 9km run and a 3km Father Christmas Walk

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