Event
Carnival (Carnaval)
Carnival is celebrated nationwide on the days before Lent, peaking on Shrove Tuesday (Terça-feira de Carnaval). Carnival Tuesday is not a statutory holiday but is widely observed as a day off, with famous parades in Torres Vedras, Loures and Sesimbra near Lisbon.
The organiser has not announced the exact date yet.
Shrove Tuesday, 47 days before Easter (movable); ~Feb 9, 2027 — confirm when announced This page is a planning guide, not a date confirmation; use the official link before booking around it.
At a glance
- Expected timing
- Shrove Tuesday, 47 days before Easter (movable); ~Feb 9, 2027 — confirm when announced
- Where
- Nationwide
- Price
- Free (some ticketed parades)
- Official
- www.officeholidays.com ↗
- Source check
- Verified June 20, 2026
- Review by
- December 11, 2026
What to expect
- Pre-Lent celebrations peaking on Carnival Tuesday
- Torres Vedras hosts 'the most Portuguese' carnival in the country
- Big float parades in Loures and Sesimbra near Lisbon
Planning tips
- Carnival Tuesday is widely treated as a day off though not statutory
- Many local councils declare a tolerance/closure — check ahead
- Date moves each year with Easter; confirm the 2027 calendar when set
Build a day around it
- 2–3 hours: arrive early, event, short neighborhood loop.
- Full day: one walk/attraction + event + calm dinner.
- Rainy backup: keep one indoor stop in mind.
Before you go
- Confirm details — check the official link for last-minute changes.
- Arrive with buffer — 15–30 minutes early makes everything calmer.
- Weather plan — one indoor warm stop in case the day turns.
More on the calendar
Other upcoming events
Date TBCNearby · Óbidos, PTÓbidos International Chocolate Festival 2027
Óbidos' famed Festival Internacional de Chocolate fills the medieval town each spring with chocolate sculptures, chef demonstrations, tastings and workshops inside the castle walls.
31DECLisbon New Year's Eve at Terreiro do Paço (Passagem de Ano)
Lisbon rings in the new year with a free open-air party in Terreiro do Paço by the Tagus, headlined by live acts and DJs and capped by a riverside fireworks and drone show at midnight.
Date TBCNearby · Óbidos, PTÓbidos Vila Natal 2026 (Christmas Village)
Each winter the medieval town of Óbidos becomes Vila Natal, a ticketed Christmas village inside the castle walls with light shows, an ice rink, rides, a Santa's house and seasonal performances.