What's on in the Algarve

JANUARY

New Year's Day, 1 January.

National Holiday.

New for Winter

Held at Aquashow in Quarteira, new Ice Rink and Themed Attractions open every day, 11h00 to 16h30 for the rides and 11h00 to 20h00 (until 22h00 on Fridays, Saturdays and eve of public holidays) for the ice rink.

More info at www.aquashowpark.com

Senior Open Tournament, 21 - 22 January.

Held at the Quinta da Balaia Tennis Club and running from 10.00 to 17.00, this competition counts towards the National Ranking of the Portuguese Tennis Federation.

FEBRUARY

Loulé Carnaval, 18 - 21 February.

On the 18th, 19th and 21st of February, Avenida José da Costa Mealha receives the traditional Carnival which this year takes place on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday and not on Monday as in previous years.

With the theme "Troika and the Crisis by Loulé's Carnival" political and social satire, is once again the hallmark of the oldest carnival in the country that this year marks its 106th anniversary! Some of the floats will be crewed by the "Merkozys" and various Portuguese political figures including the Prime Minister - Pedro Passos Coelho! The parade has 15 floats,samba schools, giant puppets and comic bands.

The price is 2 euros per person and tickets are only available at the entrance.

Mardi Gras / Carnival, 21 February.

National Holiday.

APRIL

Good Friday, 6 April.

National Holiday.

Easter Sunday, 8 April.

National Holiday.

Liberation Day / Freedom Day, 25 April.

National Holiday. Albufeira celebrates in style with sporting and musical entertainment during the day and fireworks at night.

MAY

May Day, 1 May.

National Holiday.

Fiesa Sand World

Open every day from May to October. Located just of the EN 125 in Pêra, it's the world's biggest Sand Sculpture Park carved by 60 famous sand artists, plus snack bar, shops, bungee jumping, daily sand sculpture activities, magical nights of sound and light, and video projections.  

JUNE

Summer Events

Summer programme starts, offering music, entertainment, parties, concerts and much more until the end of September.

Portugal National Day, 10 June.

National Holiday.

JULY

Chicken piri-piri Festival

For 3 days in Albufeira the tempting aromas of barbecued chicken will fill the air in this festival dedicated to the delicacy!

Handy Craft Fayre in Albufeira

This fair takes place over 9 days with displays and sales of traditional crafts of the region. There will also be music and various artists each day.

AUGUST

Fatacil, Lagoa.

Handicraft, agriculture, tourism and local trade and industry fair; featuring arts and crafts, exhibitions, food, entertainment and live music.

Silves Medieval Festival.

Typical scenes of everyday medieval life will fill the streets of this historic town centre with beggars, travelling musicians, jugglers, exotic characters and many other attractions.

Sardine Festival

Based in Olhos d'Agua, staged over a four-day period and featuring what seems to be an endless supply of freshly cooked sardines. There is also live music.

Festival of Our Lady of the Oracle, 14 August.

Mass at Igreja Matriz is followed by a procession to Fisherman's Beach and back to the church. There will also be entertainment in Largo Enginheiro Duarte Pacheco and fireworks. 

Albufeira Municipal Holiday, 20 August.

Albufeira celebrates with sports events and entertainment in the day and fireworks in the evening.

SEPTEMBER

Fisherman's Festival

This is celebrated in the Old Town, along with the folklore festival. This event is carried out over a 2 day period.

Gastronomy Festival

For a week in September the Gastronomy festival takes place, where various participating restaurants will be cooking dishes to show the gastronomy of the region.

World Tourism Day, 27 September.

Albufeira offers plenty to entertain the tourists with various shows throughout the day.

OCTOBER

Portugal Masters

Held in Vilamoura, the Portuguese Masters welcome some of the worlds greatest golfers to compete in one of the leading European golf tournaments, offering a prize of €3 million.

Guia Fair, 8 October.

Traditional fair selling clothes, jewellry, trinkets, porcelain etc in Guia.

NOVEMBER

All Saint's Day, 1 November.

National Holiday.

DECEMBER

Immaculate Conception of our Lady, 8 December.

National Holiday.

Christmas Day, 25 December.

National Holiday.