Out Jazz: How This Lisbon-Based Initiative is Blending Music with Green Spaces

Hosted in a different park each month, the Out Jazz Festival is a unique city initiative that has been gathering residents and tourists for the last 12 years, with free live music, dancing, drinks and socializing. Soulful jazz and edgy electro-mix beats float through the air and create a relaxing and happy atmosphere in Portugal’s cool capital. It’s just one of the many budget-friendly activities in Lisbon that help locals and visitors make the most of this colorful and lively city.

By alternating hosting parks each month, Out Jazz is one of the best ways to enjoy Lisbon without spending money, and music begins at 5pm each Sunday (and the occasional Saturday), so it’s perfect for everyone—from solo travelers and families with children to sun-seeking locals looking to soak up some early evening rays. This month, the event is being held in the Belém Tower Garden, in June it will be in Monsanto Park, followed by Park Eduardo VII in July. In August, head to the romantic Jardim da Estrela. In September, the festivities will wind down at Campo Grande Garden Park, a bit further north of the tourist-worn track.

Jazz is a crucial part of the Lisbon music scene, and another festival to look forward to in August is called Jazz in August (easy to remember), located at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum gardens. Unlike Out Jazz, there is an entrance fee for Jazz in August, ranging from €5 to €20, depending on the lineup. The lineup for Out Jazz 2018 is organized for the entire summer and can be found on the Out Jazz Facebook page. It encompasses a dynamic roster, made up of local and international musicians, and shouldn’t be missed. Did we mention it’s free?