The Algarve is the most popular holiday destination in Portugal. Families and groups of friends come to this region to have fun. During the year’s warmest season, tourists create the best memories on the beach, in pools, on terraces, and at events. If you are unsure which month is best for your holiday, consider the scheduled events. Here are our suggestions for summer events in the Algarve in 2022.
Photo by Vishnu R. Nair – Pexels
Celebrate the popular saints in June with colourful marches, sardines and songs in honour of Saint Anthony, Saint John and Saint Peter. The parades begin on June 3rd at the Pavilhão Arena, on June 10th in Mexilhoeira Grande, on June 18th at the old fish market in Portimão, on June 24th in the waterfront area of Alvor and finally on June 25th at Praia da Rocha. Each event will have musical moments, food and drinks.
*You can find the programme of the parties here.
This very Portuguese season is also honoured in the several municipalities of Lagos with famous marches and festivities. The parades in the Praça d'Armas in the city centre will take place on June 11th, 12th, 23rd, 24th, and 28th. The Odiáxere Sports Club will organize an event with artist Humberto Silva on June 11th. In Bensafrim Park, the two saints and the town's anniversary will be celebrated on June 12th. On 12, 19 and 26 June, people dance at the Chinicato "bailes". From the 24th to 26th June, the party is held in Barão de São João. Finally, all that remains is to celebrate the last saint of June, Saint Peter in Bensafrim, in the city park.
*Here, you will find the popular saint celebrations schedule for each day in Lagos.
Photo by Patrick Robert Doyle - Unsplash
This event has come to the Algarve for the first time. After stops in various cities such as Los Angeles, Miami and Amsterdam, it is finally time to set foot on Portuguese soil in Praia da Rocha. In a scenario full of cutting-edge technology, art and, as a backdrop, the warm sun and sea, just a few metres from the festival site, the festival's line-up promises three days of great music and the return of summer events to the Algarve.
Secret Project is a festival dedicated to electronic music, with three dance floors. The Project Stage is dedicated to house and techno, the Workshop Stage to techno and the Sanctuary Stage to drum & bass. Headliners such as Adam Beyer, Dj Rush, Alan Fitzpatrick, Charlotte de Witte and Andy C will perform on each dance floor. The festival will also feature Portuguese artists Peix and Ethan Koop, who have been active in the electronic music field for many years.
*For more information and to buy tickets, visit the Secret Project Portugal festival.
Photo by David Bartus – Pexels
The GC32 Racing Tour, one of the most stunning catamaran racing circuits in the sailing world, returns to Lagos Bay. Flying boats will be spotted on the coast once more, making this event appealing to fans of the sport. After the inaugural event in Italy, Lagos will host the seven catamarans competing in the second of the five existing stages of this circuit. This regatta is already a reference for the city, which welcomes it with enthusiasm, and this year, with renewed infrastructures suitable for these nautical events. The GC32 Racing Tour brings together the world's greatest sailors, who also train in Lagos for the renowned America's Cup.
*Find more information about the GC32 Racing Tour on this page.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema – Unsplash
The exhibition by photographer Pauliana Pimentel is an ode to the gipsy way of life in the Algarve. The photographer features the Houses and families from the towns of Loulé and Faro. The exhibition will be on display at the Centro Cultural de Lagos and will include a photo installation depicting traditions and customs that are unique to these communities. This impressive exhibition has already toured other venues in the region before arriving in Lagos, and it is coming to Room 2 of the CCL.
The documentary exhibition about Xávega art can also be seen in Room 1 of the Centro Cultural de Lagos on the same days. The main goal of this event is to spread the word about this ancient art, which is practised in Meia Praia.
For the second time, the Afro Nation Festival visits the sandy beach of Praia da Rocha in Portimão. The African rhythms were a tremendous hit in 2019 and will enchant festival-goers again in the summer of 2022. The rhythms of Afrobeat, Hip-Hop, R&B, Dancehall and Bashment will arrive in Portimão as early as the beginning of July, with names like Chris Brown, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Skepta, Davido, Beenie Man, Tory Lanez and French Montana expected.
Aside from music, activities such as the famous boat parties and a private area of Praia da Rocha for those who purchase a VIP ticket are expected.
*For more information and purchase tickets, visit the Afro Nation Festival website.
Photo by Vonecia Carswell – Unsplash
The world’s biggest hip-hop festival will also take place at Praia da Rocha in Portimão. After being a hit in the United States, Rolling Loud comes to Europe for the first time and promises to bring big names in hip-hop or the trap subgenre. After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, attendees in 2022 will be able to see headliners J. Cole, A$ap Rocky, and Future perform at the three-day festival. DaBaby, Aj Tracey, Lil Baby, and Central CEE will also be performing alongside these names.
As there is no camping area at this festival, you should book a holiday property. Choose one of our still available apartments for the dates of the Rolling Loud Festival. Check-in when you want and leave at your preferred time.
*For more information on tickets and other topics, visit the Rolling Loud Festival page.
Photo by Breakreate – Unsplash
Several festivals have been cancelled in the last two years, including the Sardine Festival. It is a landmark event in the city of Portimão and returns to the Arade waterfront in 2022, with concerts, craft stalls, traditional sweets and, of course, grilled sardines with salad and boiled potatoes.
The headliners of the summer evenings are the fado singer João Leote and Mariza Liz on August 3rd. On the 4th of August, singer David Fonseca will perform, followed by Bárbara Tinoco on the 5th August. The Wet Bed Gang and David Carreira will perform in the last days. The day before the event, on the 2nd of August, there will be a historical reenactment of the sardine unloading and a "sardinhada" (sardine lunch) for all visitors. Admission to this summer event is free.
*For more information about the Sardine Festival in Portimão, visit the Municipality page.
Banho 29 is a popular Lagos tradition in which swimming in the sea is required on the night of August 28-29. A bath on this day is thought to be worth 29 baths, and this practice at the end of summer is passed down from parents to children. This celebration was halted for two years due to the pandemic, and the municipality has yet to announce the usual celebration for this year, but even if no concerts are held, you can still take the traditional midnight dip. Usually, the municipality organises concerts and snacks all over the city to celebrate this date, as well as a competition for old swimming costumes.
*Follow the news on the Lagos Municipality page.
After two stagnant years, parties are returning to the cities of the Algarve. Be part of the comeback and have a great summer holiday with Casas do Barlavento's commitment to having the best holiday homes in the Algarve.