Portuguese Traditions and Seasonal Festivals
Portuguese Traditions - In the Minho Region, Desfolhada is a unique and authentic local festival which marks the end of Summer and the Corn Harvest.
Portugal Country of TraditionsPortuguese traditions give Portugal a unique quality. The modern world has not made the Portuguese like everyone else. The old ways of doing things are deeply rooted in the people. The farming calendar and the church festivals shape the Portuguese year. The agricultural towns celebrate their wonderful produce. The big cities celebrate their history and achievements.AutumnAutumn festivals often celebrate Portuguese Food and Wine. The harvest is a time to be thankful for the abundance of the land.
If you want to see Portugal at its most traditional autumn is a fantastic time to visit. The harvest Desfolhadas is celebrated in late September with traditional singing and music. In the North accordions, drums and bagpipes lead the procession. Stacks of corn decorate the towns. The corn is later stored in Espigeiras - traditional,granite storehouses which dot the beautiful green landscape. The corn feeds local cattle through the Winter. Long-horned bulls are paraded through the town dressed with ribbons and flowers. Traditional accordions and drumming bands electrify the night time atmosphere. As with all Portuguese celebrations, food is close at hand and plentiful! Broa - Portuguese Corn Bread, along with Choricou - delicious Cured Sausage is handed out among the crowd and drunk down with Vinho Verde wine - the local young wine. October 5th is a day to celebrate Portugal. On November 1st the day of All saints is celebrated. In some areas older religious practices are still practiced and traditional healers are still sought. Portuguese traditions inlude many celebrations of popular Saints. Sao martinho November 11th is a day celebrated with hot chestnuts.Sao Martinho was a Hungarian officer who helped a beggar by giving his coat. this act of kindness resonates with the Portuguese and he is celebrated on this day. The Immaculate Conception Dec 8th is celebrated with a feast. this day marks the start of the real Christmas season in Portugal Winter
Christams - The big winter festival in Portugal and a great time to visit. The Portuguese love Christmas. They celebrate Christmas on the 24th with gatherings of family and friends with abundance of food- traditionally Bachalau and so many sweet cakes it is often overwhelming to outsiders.The church celebrations are obsreved and midnight mass is to many people a central part of the festivities.There are also many concerts of sacred music at this time of year often in the open air giving the streets a wonderful magical atmosphere.New years eve is also celebrated sometimes called noite magica. Belem has a huge party.Carnival is a pagan tradition that has been revived - big in Lisbon the North and Madeira. Spring
Portuguese traditions in spring are about renewal - rebirth - flowers and food.Easter is of course the main spring festival. Maias are celebrated with Mimosa in May. At Corpus Cristi, in early June, streets are lined with flowers- Caminha in the North is a lovely place too see this.The weather is lovely in late May and June - a great time to see the countryside and its traditions.
Summer
Summer is a time for celebration - music, dancing, romance and homecoming. St Anthony is the big Lisbon Festival with weddings, street parties and sardines San Joao is the Porto Festival - with bonfires, pranks (and hammers), Santa Maria da Agonia is the celebrated festival of Viana do Castelo. Big heads, traditional costumes music and dance. The Minho region has fantastic summer festivals with traditional Dancing, Fado stars and great food. 
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