Public holidays in Portugal


In Portugal, a public holiday is a calendar date, legally recognised and defined in the Labour Code as well as the Concordat of 2004, on which most businesses and non-essential services are closed. On some of these dates, public commemorative festivities are traditionally held.
Public holidays in Portugal are a mixture of select religious observances and days that have national historical or cultural significance. These dates have changed over time: currently, there are 13 mandatory holidays and one optional that has to be specifically designated as a day off work each year by government decree or companies. Specific dates may alternatively be observed only at region or [List of Municipalities of Portugal|municipalities of Portugal|municipal] level. Collective bargaining can specify that optional holidays are observed always and are also free for agreeing other dates that the specific company or sector agrees to observe as a holiday.

Revoked holidays in 2013–2015

In 2012, the XIX Constitutional Government of Portugal controversially revoked four holidays – two civilian holidays and two religious ones. The move was effective from 2013 onwards and was presented as a measure to increase productivity, in the context of the 2011–2014 Troika bailout to Portugal. Public debate and re-evaluation were scheduled in 2018 for the religious holidays.
The four holidays were eventually restored by the XXI Constitutional Government of Portugal, in January 2016.

Local holidays

According to a Decree of 12 October 1910, municipalities were given the possibility of choosing a day that would represent their traditional festivals.
DateEnglish namePortuguese nameNotes
15 JanuaryMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Santa Cruz.
20 JanuaryMunicipal HolidayDia do S. SebastiãoCelebrated in Santa Maria da Feira, Aveiro.
22 JanuaryMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in São Vicente.
18 FebruaryMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Valença.
19 MarchSaint Joseph's DayDia de São JoséCelebrated in Santarém.
11 AprilMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Lagoa; the locality was made a town by Royal Charter of 11 April 1522.
23 AprilSaint George's DayDia de São Jorge.Velas has celebrated Saint George's Day since 1460.
moveableEaster MondaySegunda-feira de PáscoaCelebrated in Avis, Borba, Caminha, Campo Maior, Cuba, Freixo de Espada à Cinta, Ílhavo, Mação, Mora, Penamacor, Ponte de Sor, Portel, Redondo, Castelo de Vide, Constância, Crato, Nisa and Sousel. in.
moveableAscension of JesusQuinta-feira da AscensãoCelebrated in Alcanena, Alenquer, Almeirim, Alter do Chão, Alvito, Anadia, Ansião, Arraiolos, Arruda dos Vinhos, Azambuja, Beja, Benavente, Cartaxo, Chamusca, Estremoz, Golegã, Loulé, Mafra, Marinha Grande, Mealhada, Melgaço, Monchique, Mortágua, Oliveira do Bairro, Quarteira, Salvaterra de Magos, Santa Comba Dão, Sobral de Monte Agraço, Torres Novas, Vidigueira and Vila Franca de Xira.
Fifth Sunday after Easter Municipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Ponta Delgada.
8 MayMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Murça, the anniversary of the municipal autonomy issued by the foral on 8 May 1224.
12 MayMunicipal HolidayDia de Santa Joana PrincesaCelebrated in Aveiro.
25 MayMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Santana, the anniversary of the date of elevation of the village and county seat in 1835.
13 JuneSt. Anthony's DayDia de Santo AntónioCelebrated in Lisbon. On the Avenida da Liberdade there are Marchas'', parades of folklore and costumes from the city's different traditional quarters, with hundreds of singers and dancers and a vast audience applauding their favorite participants. As St Anthony is the matchmaker saint, it is traditional in Lisbon for 200–300 marriages to take place on this day.
16 JuneMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Olhão, the date of the start of Olhão's revolt against Napoleon.
20 JuneMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Corvo, the anniversary of the town.
24 JuneSt. John's DayDia de São JoãoCelebrated in Porto, Braga, Figueira da Foz, Almada, Calheta, Porto Santo, Angra do Heroísmo, Horta, Santa Cruz da Graciosa, Santa Cruz das Flores, Vila do Porto and Vila Franca do Campo.
Porto and Braga celebrate with a big festival and fireworks over the River Douro and down Avenida da Liberdade. Across the region a traditional midsummer bonfire is also built, and following an ancient pagan tradition revelers try to jump over the bonfire for protection during the rest of the year.
29 JuneSt. Peter's DayDia de São PedroCelebrated in Alfândega da Fé, Bombarral, Castro Daire, Castro Verde, Évora, Felgueiras, Macedo de Cavaleiros, Montijo, Penedono, Porto de Mós, Póvoa de Varzim, Ribeira Brava, Ribeira Grande, São Pedro do Sul, Seixal and Sintra.
Like St. Anthony's Day and St. John's Day, St. Peter's Day is celebrated with a traditional midsummer bonfire, which people jump over, and perform a tradition known as "Queimar a Alcachofra" which symbolizes the "Good Which Fulfill".
4 JulySt. Elizabeth's DayDia de Santa IsabelCelebrated in Coimbra
Third Monday of July Municipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Lajes das Flores.
18 JulyMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Nordeste, the date the locality was made a town by Royal Charter of 18 July 1514.
22 JulyMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Porto Moniz and Madalena.
26 JulyMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Loures, which was made a municipal seat on 26 July 1886, replacing Olivais.
11 AugustMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Praia da Vitória, the anniversary of the 1829 battle that prevented the royalists from reaching land in the Portuguese Civil War.
16 AugustMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in São Roque do Pico.
20 AugustMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Viana do Castelo.
21 AugustFunchal City DayDia da Cidade do FunchalCelebrated in Funchal, the date on which, in 1508 the town of Funchal was elevated to the category of city by Royal Charter,.
8 SeptemberNativity of MaryNatividade de Nossa SenhoraCelebrated in Lagoa, Alcoutim, Ponta do Sol, Lamego, Mangualde, Marco de Canaveses, Marvão, Montemor-o-Velho, Murtosa, Nazaré, Odemira, Ourique, Peniche and Sabrosa.
21 SeptemberSt. Matthew's DayDia de São MateusCelebrated in Viseu, and Elvas
Monday after the first the Sunday of September Municipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Povoação.
4 OctoberMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Câmara de Lobos, the date of the first election and taking power of the municipal chamber, in 1835.
9 OctoberMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Machico, the anniversary of the date in 1803 of the worst natural calamity that occurred on the island of Madeira since its settlement, a flood that killed hundreds of people. A pilgrimage to the Lord of Miracles is held.
19 NovemberMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Odivelas and Trofa; both localities were made municipal seats on 19 November 1998, becoming autonomous from the municipalities of Loures and Santo Tirso, respectively.
25 NovemberSaint Catherine's DayDia de Santa CatarinaCelebrated in Calheta, since time immemorial. Declared an official holiday in August 1960.