The 10 Unmissable Music Festivals To See In Portugal In 2018

One thing that’s certain about the Portuguese is that they love to have a good time. Add fantastic weather, 600+ miles of coastline, and a love of music to the mix, and you have an ideal country for outdoor music festivals. If you’re planning to visit Portugal in 2018, why not plan your trip around one of these awesome events?

Lisboa Dance Festival

March 9-10, Lisbon

There is always something fun to look forward to in Portugal, and the Lisboa Dance Festival is among the first of many musical events scheduled in 2018. This is the place to shake your groove to electronic music while appreciating Lisbon’s knack for converting neglected buildings into creative hubs, since the Dance Festival will take place in a new coworking space along the Tagus River. The lineup for this year includes American electronic band Octave One, Portuguese artist Xinobi, and British R&B artist NAO, in addition to many more.

Hub Criativo Beato, Tv. da Manutenção Militar 118, Lisbon, Portugal

1. NOS Alive

July 12-14, Oeiras

A short 30-minute bus ride from Cais do Sodré in Lisbon will take you to Oeiras, where the NOS Alive music and arts festival will serenade the riverside from July 12-14. The lineup for 2018 will include internationally famous artists like Pearl Jam, Snow Patrol, and Portugal. The Man, in addition to many local and national musicians. Despite its summer schedule, this popular festival is already close to selling out.

NOS Alive, Passeio Marítimo de Algés, Portugal

Counting Crows on stage at NOS Alive in 2015 | © Chris/Flickr

2. Rock in Rio

Park

Have you ever wanted to see Bruno Mars in concert?

June 23-24 / 29-30, Lisbon

The world-renowned Rock in Rio was so popular in Brazil that it eventually spread across the globe and has been scheduled in Lisbon every two years since 2004 (with the exception of 2010). This year’s much-awaited lineup will include Bruno Mars, Muse, Demi Lovato, and The Killers.

3. Super Bock Super Rock

July 19–21, Lisbon

Do you want to rock? In the middle of summer, Lisbon’s Parque das Nações will rock the city with their Super Bock Super Rock festival. Along the river in the northern part of the capital, Parque das Nações was built to house the World Exposition of 1998 and now serves to entertain the city with restaurants, bars, clubs, museums, and the occasional event like this musical phenomenon.

Super Bock Super Rock, MEO Arena, Rossio dos Olivais, 1990-231 Lisbon, Portugal

4. NOS Primavera Sound

June 7-9, Porto

The NOS-sponsored summer festival, inspired by the large-scale event in Barcelona, will take place from June 7-9 in the wooded Parque da Cidade, hitting the city with top musicians from the alternative music scene. English PJ Harvey and Icelandic Sigur Rós are just two in a long lineup that can be expected at the NOS Primavera Sound.

NOS Primavera Sound, Parque da Cidade, Porto, Portugal

NOS Primavera Sound 2015 of Porto | © Bene Riobó / Wikimedia Commons

5. MEO Mares Vivas

July 20-22, Vila Nova de Gaia

Next door to Porto is the city Vila Nova de Gaia, a Port wine cellar hub and the location of the MEO Mares Vivas festival. From Rita Ora to Jamiroquai, this year’s lineup will keep festival-goers dancing and singing to the music.

R. da Praia, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal

6. MEO Sudoeste

August 7-11, Zambujeira do Mar

Even the small towns become great locations for music festivals in Portugal, and Zambujeira do Mar, a fishing village on the Alentejo coast, hosts another large festival each year. The festival is one of the main reasons for visiting Zambujeira do Mar in August, in addition to the amazing beach. The lineup for this year doesn’t seem to have been finalized yet, but will include Netherlands-born DJ Hardwell.

MEO Sudoeste, Herdade da Casa Branca, Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal

MEO Suduoeste © Side Stage Collective / Flickr

7. RFM Somnii Festival

July 6-8, Figueira da Foz

Figueira da Foz spends a week each year preparing for the weekend-long RFM Somnii Festival, which takes place on the large sandy Relogio Beach, attracting hundreds of young people from all over the country. The days are meant for lounging around on the beach or catching up on sleep while the nights are for jamming to music while dancing on the sand.

RFM Somnii, Praia do Relógio, Figueira da Foz, Portugal

View of Praia do Relógio, Figueira da Foz | © Mário José Martins / Flickr

8. Vodafone Paredes de Coura

Park

August 15-18, Paredes de Coura

Near the Portugal/Spain border, on the Tabuão River, is one of the oldest music festivals in Portugal. The Vodafone Paredes de Soura invites music and nature-lovers to enjoy an area around Peneda-Gerês National Park and camp (or glamp), enjoy water activities, and listen to great music, all during one long weekend. One of the headliners this year is Icelandic artist Björk.

9. Sumol Summer Fest

July 6-7, Ericeira, Portugal

Ericeira doesn’t only invite surfers, but music lovers too, proving yet another festival offering a mix of styles. The lineup isn’t yet complete, so keep an eye out online.

Ericeira Camping, Ericeira, Portugal

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.