Meanwhile, a 24-hour strike is also planned for today at Carris, Lisbon's municipal public transportation company, which could make it difficult to get around on one of the city's busiest days.

In addition, the Lisbon Metro will suspend service and close all stations from 8 p.m. due to a workers' meeting, which the company considers an "unprecedented and unusual" initiative by the unions.

On the eve of Lisbon's municipal holiday, Saint Anthony's Day, which falls on Friday, the festivities begin today with the civil wedding ceremony of five couples, scheduled for 11:00 am, at the Town Hall, followed by a religious ceremony (with 11 couples) at 2:00 pm at the Lisbon Cathedral, announced the Lisbon City Council's (CML) Cultural Entertainment and Equipment Management Company (EGEAC).

The popular marches, which have already performed for around 20,000 people at the MEO Arena, will parade down Avenida da Liberdade, "in the most eagerly awaited spectacle in Lisbon", starting at 9:00 pm.

"This year, the Avenue will have decorative lighting in the form of a garland, so that these parades will be the most magical ever", added EGEAC.

According to the municipal company, the parade will open with the Macau Street Dance group, which will perform “A Dança da Lanterna do Peixe Dourado”, followed by the marches of the Escolas de Lisboa, A Voz do Operário, dos Mercados and Santa Casa.

Then come the 20 marches in competition, which, through costumes, music and choreography, portray the various Lisbon neighbourhoods and which will be evaluated and scored by a jury.

“A Alma de Lisboa” is the central theme of the Grande Marcha de Lisboa, with lyrics and music by Gimba, which will be performed by all participating groups (in addition to their own songs).

Marvila opens the parade of marches in competition, followed by Bairro da Boavista, Graça, Castelo, Alfama, Carnide, Benfica, São Domingos de Benfica, Bela Flor-Campolide, Madragoa, Alto do Pina, Beato, São Vicente, Penha de França, Olivais, Bica, Mouraria, Lumiar, Bairro Alto and Alcântara.

In addition to today's program, the Lisbon City Council also highlighted, on Sunday, a free concert with the fado singer Carminho, at Praça das Armas, in the São Jorge Castle, accompanied by André Dias (Portuguese guitar), Flávio Cardoso (fado guitar), Pedro Geraldes (lap steel guitar and electric guitar), Tiago Maia (acoustic bass) and João Pimenta Gomes (mellotron).

Between the 14th and 22nd, EuroPride and the celebration of LGBTI+ pride will be held for the first time in the city, with talks, shows, workshops, exhibitions, performances and sports activities in several locations.

The Lisbon Book Fair will continue to take place at Parque Eduardo VII until June 21, with chats, workshops for the whole family, launches of exhibition catalogues and celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the Zé Povinho caricature by Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro.