Carnival is celebrated across the country; in most cities, celebrations run from Friday, 13 February, to Tuesday, 17 February. Although not a national holiday, the carnival in Portugal is widely celebrated. Celebrations vary by location, yet all bring a sense of community, vibrant energy, and celebration spirit. Streets are filled with music, a festive mood, and colourful costumes. Every celebration refers to “Entrudo”, which is the final period of joy before the 40-day period of “Quaresma” (Lent) before Easter. For 2026, Lent officially begins on Ash Wednesday, 18 February, and ends on Thursday, 2 April.

Major Carnival Celebrations in Portugal

Carnival in Loulé is an unforgettable experience with over 100 years of tradition. Political, sports, and social satire are always part of the celebrations, reflecting the issues of the previous months. This is the most famous Brazilian-style carnival in the country, inspired by the Rio carnival and closely tied to Brazilian samba groups.

Originally, the carnival was called “A parade of flowers”, which is still present today, and each car is decorated with a handmade flower.

Carnival in Loulé is scheduled from 15 February to 17 along Avenida José da Costa Mealha.

The iconic and traditional carnival in Torres Vedras symbolises Portuguese cultural identity and is known as the “Most Portuguese Carnival” in Portugal. For the past three years, it has been included in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, further affirming its importance in Portuguese culture. Each year, there is a queen and a king of the carnival, who symbolically “rule” the city during the festivities. Satire is the central element, representing mainly national and international political figures. The theme for this year is “Enchanted World,” and the event will be held from 12 to 18 February.

Author: eltrapezio;

Among the biggest carnivals in the country is Ovar’s, known for extravagant costumes and themed parades. Thousands of locals and visitors join to see traditional Portuguese carnival celebrations combined with Brazilian samba. Very well organised, each float tells a unique story through dance and shining decorations. Noite Magica (Magic Night) is the highlight of the festival, when the streets are transformed into a large dance floor. This carnival usually takes place over several weeks, this year from late January to 17 February.

The Madeira Carnival showcases a blend of history and culture. Festivities take place across the island, featuring music, street parties, and events. The main parade, Allegoric Parade Madeira, takes place on 14 Saturday, in the island’s capital, Funchal, featuring over 1500 performers, shimmering costumes, samba dancers, and decorated floats.