Public holidays in Portugal


In Portugal, a public holiday is a calendar date, legally recognised and defined in the Labour Code as well as the Concordat of 2004, on which most businesses and non-essential services are closed. On some of these dates, public commemorative festivities are traditionally held.
Public holidays in Portugal are a mixture of select religious observances and days that have national historical or cultural significance. These dates have changed over time: currently, there are 13 mandatory holidays and one optional that has to be specifically designated as a day off work each year by government decree. Specific dates may alternatively be observed only at region or municipal level.

Public holidays in Portugal

Revoked holidays in 2013–2015

In 2012, the Coalition government of Pedro Passos Coelho controversially revoked four holidays – two civilian holidays and two religious ones. The move was effective from 2013 onwards and was presented as a measure to increase productivity, in the context of the 2011–2014 Troika bailout to Portugal. Public debate and re-evaluation were scheduled in 2018 for the religious holidays.
The four holidays were eventually restored by the government of António Costa, in January 2016.

Local holidays

According to a Decree of 12 October 1910, municipalities were given the possibility of choosing a day that would represent their traditional festivals.
DateEnglish namePortuguese nameNotes
15 JanuaryMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Santa Cruz.
22 JanuaryMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in São Vicente.
18 FebruaryMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Valença.
19 MarchSt. Joseph's DayDia de São JoséCelebrated in Santarém.
11 AprilMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Lagoa. The date was chosen because the locality was made town by Royal Charter of 11 April 1522.
23 AprilSaint George's DayDia de São Jorge.Celebrated in Velas. The date was chosen due to the fact that this locality celebrates Saint George's Day since 1460.
moveableEaster MondaySegunda-feira de PáscoaCelebrated in Avis, Borba, Caminha, Campo Maior, Cuba, Freixo de Espada à Cinta, Ílhavo, Mação, Mora, Penamacor, Ponte de Sor, Portel, Redondo, Castelo de Vide, Constância, Crato, Nisa and Sousel. in.
moveableAscension of JesusQuinta-feira da AscensãoCelebrated in Alcanena, Alenquer, Almeirim, Alter do Chão, Alvito, Anadia, Ansião, Arraiolos, Arruda dos Vinhos, Azambuja, Beja, Benavente, Cartaxo, Chamusca, Estremoz, Golegã, Loulé, Mafra, Marinha Grande, Mealhada, Melgaço, Monchique, Mortágua, Oliveira do Bairro, Quarteira, Salvaterra de Magos, Santa Comba Dão, Sobral de Monte Agraço, Torres Novas, Vidigueira and Vila Franca de Xira.
Fifth Sunday after Easter Municipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Ponta Delgada.
25 MayMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Santana. The date was chosen because it is anniversary of the date of elevation the village and seat of county in the year 1835.
13 JuneSt. Anthony's DayDia de Santo AntónioCelebrated in Lisbon where on the Avenida da Liberdade, there are the Marchas'', a parade of folklore and costumes from the city's different traditional quarters, with hundreds of singers and dancers and a vast audience applauding their favorite participants. As St Anthony is the matchmaker saint, it is still the tradition in Lisbon to celebrate multiple marriages.
20 JuneMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Corvo. The date was chosen because it is the anniversary of the town.
24 JuneSt. John's DayDia de São JoãoCelebrated in Porto, Braga, Figueira da Foz, Almada, Calheta, Porto Santo, Angra do Heroísmo, Horta, Santa Cruz da Graciosa, Santa Cruz das Flores, Vila do Porto and Vila Franca do Campo.
Porto and Braga celebrate with a big festival and fireworks over the River Douro and down Avenida da Liberdade. Across the country a traditional midsummer bonfire is also built and following an ancient pagan tradition, revelers try to jump over the bonfire, this in order to gain protection during the rest of the year.
29 JuneSt. Peter's DayDia de São PedroCelebrated in Alfândega da Fé, Bombarral, Castro Daire, Castro Verde, Évora, Felgueiras, Macedo de Cavaleiros, Montijo, Penedono, Porto de Mós, Póvoa de Varzim, Ribeira Brava, Ribeira Grande, São Pedro do Sul, Seixal and Sintra.
Just like St. Anthony's Day and St. John's Day, St. Peter's Day is celebrated with a traditional midsummer bonfire, where people jumps over and perform a tradition known as "Queimar a Alcachofra" which symbolizes the "Good Which Fulfill".
4 JulySt. Elizabeth's DayDia de Santa IsabelCelebrated in Coimbra
Third Monday of July Municipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Lajes das Flores.
18 JulyMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Nordeste. This date was chosen because the locality was made town by Royal Charter of 18 July 1514.
22 JulyMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Porto Moniz and Madalena.
11 AugustMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Praia da Vitória. The date was chosen because it is the anniversary of the battle that prevented the royalists from reaching land during the Portuguese Civil War.
16 AugustMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in São Roque do Pico.
20 AugustMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Viana do Castelo.
21 AugustFunchal City DayDia da Cidade do FunchalCelebrated in Funchal. Anniversary of the date in which, in 1508, and by Royal Charter, the town of Funchal was elevated to the category of city.
8 SeptemberNativity of MaryNatividade de Nossa SenhoraCelebrated in Lagoa, Alcoutim, Ponta do Sol, Lamego, Mangualde, Marco de Canaveses, Marvão, Montemor-o-Velho, Murtosa, Nazaré, Odemira, Ourique and Sabrosa.
21 SeptemberSt. Matthew's DayDia de São MateusCelebrated in Viseu, and Elvas
Monday after the first the Sunday of September Municipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Povoação.
4 OctoberMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrate in Câmara de Lobos. The date was chosen because on 4 October 1835 the first electoral act took place, the swearing-in ceremony and inauguration of the first mayor of Câmara de Lobos and his respective council.
9 OctoberMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Machico. This is date on which the annual pilgrimage to the Lord of Miracles takes place, and the anniversary of the date in 1803 of which the most severe natural calamity that occurred on the island of Madeira since its settlement: an alluvium which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people.
25 NovemberSaint Catherine's DayDia de Santa CatarinaCelebrated in Calheta. The date was chosen because since times immemorial it is on this day that this locality celebrates the Feast of Saint Catherine.