Today, we will be learning about the Santo Antonio or Saint Anthony festival, where and when it’s celebrated, the Santo António weddings in Lisbon, other celebrations and tips for your trip.
Before exploring the Saint Anthony celebrations in Lisbon and other locations across Portugal, who was Saint Anthony?
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Who was Saint Anthony?
Many visitors are surprised to learn that Saint Anthony was born in Lisbon around 1195 as Fernando Martins de Bulhões. Although he is known throughout much of the world as Anthony of Padua, in Portugal he is often called Santo António de Lisboa.
Fernando Bulhões joined the Franciscan Order and became one of the most influential Christian preachers of his time. After spending part of his life in Italy, he died in the city of Padua, in 1231, which is why he is also called Anthony of Padua.
Nowadays, Saint Anthony (Santo António) is widely known as the patron of lost objects, but in Portugal he is especially associated with marriage and love.
What is the Festival of Saint Anthony in Portugal all about?
Every year, Saint Anthony is celebrated in Lisbon and other cities and towns around Portugal. Saint Anthony is one of the three saints celebrated in June, followed by Saint John and Saint Peter.
As a predominantly Catholic country, Portugal celebrates the Saints with vibrant parties, colorful decorations, and plenty of food.
Sardines are a big thing in the Saints festivals. They became associated with the festivities because they are abundant during this period.
Throughout the Saints festivities, you’ll see and smell sardines being grilled outside by restaurants, food stalls, and even local residents. You will find many arraiais around Lisbon city, traditional street festivals where locals and visitors gather to eat, drink, listen to music, and celebrate late into the night.
You may also see small paper hot-air balloons, launched into the sky. The glowing balloons are supposed to represent light and renewal. Today, the launch of paper hot-air balloons may be restricted or prohibited in some areas due to fire-safety concerns, especially during periods of high wildfire risk.
The Famous Basil Plants
During the Saint Anthony festivities, it is very common to buy Manjericos. They are small basil plants sold throughout Lisbon and other cities. They are also known as the Lover’s herb. According to an old tradition, young men would give their girlfriends small potted basil plants.
Santo Antonio is all about love and marriage, so there couldn’t be a better plant to represent this festival.
Traditionally, Portuguese people avoid smelling it directly. Usually, they gently tap the top leaves of the Manjerico and smell their hand.
Usually, each Manjerico comes with a small poem, about love, affection, or good wishes to someone.
Now, let’s focus on Saint Anthony celebrations. Concerts, weddings, and parades are starting to fill the streets of Lisbon! See all the main details below!
When is Saint Anthony celebrated?
Date: From the evening of June 12th to June 13th (holiday in some cities)
Where is Saint Anthony celebrated?
There are many locations where Saint Anthony is celebrated. The best-known celebrations take place in Lisbon. Mouraria, Graça and Alfama are among the most famous neighborhoods to celebrate the Santo Antonio on June 12th night. However, there are many spots around Lisbon. Each restaurant planning to be open this night, might have a special menu prepared.
⚠️ If you’re planning to eat at a restaurant on June 12th, make a reservation at least 1 or 2 weeks in advance. Some of the more popular restaurants, especially in Lisbon, may require a month or more in advance.
Saint Anthony in Lisbon
One of the most important traditions of Lisbon’s Saint Anthony festivities is the Saint Anthony Weddings (Casamentos de Santo António).
Saint Anthony Weddings👰🏻♀️
One of the most important traditions of Lisbon’s Saint Anthony festivities, are the Saint Anthony’s Weddings (Casamentos de Santo António).
Every year, on June 12th, a mass wedding ceremony involving several couples is held in Lisbon.
But why this particular saint? Saint Anthony is regarded in Portugal as the saint of love, marriage and matchmaking.
The tradition began in 1958 to help Lisbon couples who wanted to marry but faced financial difficulties.
Nowadays, the Santo Antonio Weddings combine civic and religious ceremonies, which attract significant public interest.
In 2026, 16 couples are scheduled to marry. The planned schedule is the following:
- 11:30 AM – civil ceremony at the Paços do Concelho (Lisbon City Hall)
- 2:00 PM – religious ceremony at the historic Sé de Lisboa (Lisbon Cathedral)
For visitors, the event offers a unique glimpse into Lisbon’s traditions and community spirit. Locals gather at the locations to cheer the couples. The weddings and parade through the city of Lisbon will also be transmitted on TV (RTP1 channel, starting at 10 AM, with brides and grooms getting ready).
Marchas populares (parade) and Festivals on June 12th💃🏻
The Marchas Populares are traditional parades featuring music, dancing, costumes, and friendly competition between Lisbon’s neighborhoods.
On the night of June 12th, there are groups parading with music, dance, and creative costumes. Each neighborhood of Lisbon has its own team of dancers and singers, unique costumes and a themed routine. The different neighborhoods compete to see which one has the best performance.
The teams spend months preparing their colorful costumes, and the choreography to the songs they picked. Then, they parade the streets in a friendly competition for locals and tourists to see.
The parade will happen on Avenida da Liberdade at 9 PM. Entrance is free (not recommended for children lower than 6 years old). More info here.
Another highlight is that people gather outside to eat sardines, drink, and watch the fireworks. The Arraial da Misericórdia (Festival of Misericórdia), on the Miradouro (Viewpoint) de São Pedro de Alcântara, started on May 29th and continues until June 28th. As you can see, the festivities last for several weeks.
However, there are other locations around Lisbon with Saint Anthony parties.
Grande Arraial de Belém and Arraial do Campo Pequeno are just some of the locations where you’ll be able to smell the fresh sardines, hear the traditional, popular Portuguese music, and dance the night away.
Also, try bifanas (Portuguese pork sandwiches), sweet farturas*, and plenty of fun games around Lisbon.
*Note: Farturas are fried dough sprinkled with sugar and/or sugar, similar to churros.
⚠️Warning: Expect very large crowds in Alfama, Mouraria, Graça, and Avenida da Liberdade, especially after sunset. Also, expect big crowds in other locations where there are arraiais. Watch your belongings (possible pickpockets). Some streets can also be difficult to move. For safety reasons, if an area feels too crowded consider moving to a less congested street.
Celebrations of Saint Anthony in Lisbon on June 13th🎉
Even though, Saint Anthony celebrations have already started, the culmination of celebrations is on the municipal holiday. On June 13th, there is usually a religious procession starting from the Church of Santo António, near Lisbon’s Cathedral.
This procession happens in Lisbon since the 18th century (with a pause from 1834 to 1952). The statue of the saint is carried to the nearby Lisbon Cathedral, where Fernando de Bulhões attended the cathedral school.
Saint Anthony in Other Cities
- Vila Nova de Famalicão
- Vila Verde
- Amares
- Vila Real
- Vale de Cambra
- Estarreja
- Alvaiázere
- Ferreira do Zêzere
- Proença-a-nova
- Vila Nova da Barquinha
- Cascais
- Reguengos de Monsaraz
- Aljustrel
Each of these cities and towns offer arraiais and/or special parades on June 12th at night. During the day, on June 13th, there are processions in honor of Santo Antonio.
The starting dates of the festivities may vary slightly by city, but they should all start on the first or second week of June and end around June 14th or later in the month.
Whether you celebrate Saint Anthony in Lisbon or in a smaller city, you’ll likely find streets filled with music, people dancing, beautiful decorations, and traditional festival foods.
Tips for Saint Anthony in Lisbon & other cities
- Plan ahead: Some shops and services in Lisbon and the cities or towns mentioned above may be closed because it’s a municipal holiday.
- Protect yourself from the sun: Use sunscreen, a hat, lightweight clothes, and drink plenty of water during the day.
- Protect your belongings: Stay aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings safe, especially in crowded locations, and at night. Tourists become pickpocketing targets.
- Transportation: Some streets may be closed, making it difficult to drive around the city. Be prepared to park farther away and walk to the festivities. Public transport can also be an option.
What about Music Festivals in June?
