With the smell of orange blossom prevalent in the region, February usually welcomes Silves’ orange festival.
This year however, it was postponed and will be taking place online this coming weekend (April 16-18). On Sunday, the popular TVI show, Somos Portugal, will be televising that afternoon’s activities between 2pm and 8pm.
Last year’s event was centered around FISSUL, the town’s fair and exhibition centre. It was brimming with local and regional exhibitors who showcased oranges in all their glory. There was also a route planned where visitors could enjoy (amongst other things) orange bread, smoked orange liquor and even orange beer!
The annual festival (Mostra Silves Capital da Laranja), now in its fifth year, showcases the region’s oranges, bringing together local producers, eateries and artisans.
2021 events
A conference will open this year’s event on Friday, at 3pm, where issues affecting the sector will be discussed.
Saturday starts at 10am with local producers and from 1pm you can watch shows offering tips on cooking and suggestions for cocktail, all including oranges of course.
At 5pm viewers can watch a musical performance by the town’s philharmonic orchestra, Sociedade Filarmónica Silvense, which will be followed by Armação de Pêra’s dance school, STAM, ending the day with a dance show.
Sunday will see local producers back again and the Associação Barmen do Algarve (Algarve Barmen Association) will be sharing more cocktail recipes, using oranges, at 1pm.
In the evening a demonstration of traditional dancing, by Rancho Folclórico do Algoz, will begin at 9pm. A young local magician, Miguel Alves, will close the festival with his act at 10pm.
Everything will be live streamed on Silves’ social media pages, click here for their Facebook page, and of course on Sunday afternoon on TVI.
Visit a citrus farm
If you want to try something different, why not visit a local citrus farm? Enjoy a two-hour tour that includes tasting different varieties of citrus fruit, find out why local fruit is not “waxed” and how you can check fruit is fresh at your local supermarket. Click here for more information.