02:39:12 Tuesday, 19th March

  • Festas de São João 2015

For six weeks, from 23rd May to 4th July, Porto will once again host the traditional St. John's Festivities, with over 200 activities around the city, most of them free of charge.

This year, the centre of the celebrations will be in the Fontainhas area, to make this festivity even more traditional, and also because this area has a magnificent view of the Douro.

Music plays a special part of this festivity and this year there will be performances by various well-known Portuguese artists such as José Cid, Carlão (ex-vocalist of the Portuguese band Da Weasel), Rui Veloso, Deolinda, D.A.M.A. and António Zambujo.

During the first weekend there will be dances in various streets and squares in the centre of Porto. At Fontainhas, a mural by the fine artist, Kino, will also be unveiled.  A mini music festival (Mini NOS Primavera Sound) will take place in Parque da Cidade, with various initiatives and free concerts. The festival itself (NOS Primavera Sound) will take place from 4th to 6th June with guest artists such as FKA Twigs, Patti Smith, Interpol, Caribou, Damien Rice, and many more. 

In the Ribeira area of Porto, the premier of the biggest Portuguese Fado festival will be held on 12th and 13th June, with over 40 concerts. Prior to that, on 30th and 31st May, the largest contemporary art festival in the country will take place, Serralves em Festa, at the Serralves Foundation.

The traditional Corrida de São João (St. John's Run) is scheduled for 14th of June. And of course, on the longest night of the year, from 23rd to 24th of June, the traditional fireworks display will take place close to the Douro River. So another great festivity is being prepared, which long since ceased to be limited to the people of Porto, but is for people from all over the country and for the tourists who come from abroad especially to experience this tradition.