Events

Autumn events in the Algarve


roast chestnut stall in Portugal

The Algarve is staying busy with many autumn events to choose from. We have picked just three that are taking place through November.

Magusto is a traditional festival celebrated in the Iberian Peninsula over St Martin’s Day on November 11.

This autumn pagan celebration is similar to the Gaelic Samhain. Nowadays, it revolves around the age-old practice of roasting chestnuts, drinking local young wine, and enjoying the fruits of the autumn harvest. In years gone by this would have included the pig slaughter and its products such as sausages.

Families and friends will gather around open fires, roasting chestnuts while savouring wine like jeropiga (a traditional Portuguese liquor made from grape must) and goodies made from pumpkin.

Portimão’s St Martin’s Fair

Dating back to 1662, this year celebrates the 360th Feira de São Martinho in Portimão.

The city will host the fair at its Parque de Feiras e Exposições between November 3 to 12.

The 360th edition of the São Martinho Fair, an age-old local tradition dating back to 1662, will grace the Portimão Fair and Exhibition Park from November 3rd to 12th.

Apart from the fairground fun for all there will be a wide choice of classic treats like roasted chestnuts, sweet potatoes, popcorn, chorizo bread and roasted octopus!

Oh yes it is… panto time

This year’s pantomime, Cinderella, at Lagoa’s Carlos de Carmo theatre will take place from November 17 through to 19.

With two evening and two matinée performances, children and adults alike can enjoy the traditional story with much audience participation and the usual slapstick humour and good overcoming evil.

Tickets cost €12 and are available online or at various venues. Click here for more information.

Algarve Harp Festival

For the third year the Algarve Harp Festival will be taking place in three locations: Albufeira, Lagoa and Monchique.

On November 10 Paderne’s parish church will host Daniel Rigel playing the harp, starting at 9.30pm.

November 25 at Lagoa’s chapel in Convento S. José, Helena Madeira will play and sing, with the concert starting at 4pm

And finally on November 26, at 4pm, Leonor Maia (harp) and Francisco Barbosa (flute) will play in Monchique’s Igreja da Misericórdia.

Donations will be taken for three charities based in the Algarve; Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lagoa, SOS Oncológico and Espiral de Vontades.

Tickets are free but places are limited so best to book tickets here.



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *