This month the Algarve is into the full summer season and every town and village has set out to make this a bumper month for entertainment and events. Whether on the coast or in the hills, there are so many goings-on that the mind boggles. The sun is shining, life is good, and so we celebrate!
Life in the Past Lane
Feira Medieval de Silves
Medieval Mania is still going strong this month with Silves putting on their famous extravaganza from the 2nd to the 11th August. The town is transformed into long gone, distant times, colourful costumes are worn by the townsfolk and tourist alike, belly dancers, jugglers, snake charmers and acrobats abound. Horse tournaments take place and hundreds of stalls line the narrow, cobbled streets.
There is even a Royal Banquet in the ancient ruins of the famous Castle. Find out more about the Festival and download the festival guide here!
Dias Medievais - Castro Marim
The 22nd to the 25th August, sees Castro Marim holding their Medieval Days festival for the 14th year in a row. For four days and nights families can enjoy the antics of Jesters, the majesty of Kings and Queens and the banquets of delicious local delicacies. Meandering through streets filled with arts and craft stalls and exploring the thirteenth century castle; taking in all the sights and sounds of days of yore is a good way to spend some leisure time with the family.
Fish Out of Water (and onto your plate)
Festa da Ria Formosa - Faro
Continuing their fabulous Ria Formosa Fish Festival, Faro is still pulling in the crowds; having started this fabulous festival on 25th July they will continue to dish up all the glorious shellfish you could wish for until 4th August. Apart from the shellfish in all shapes and forms, there is live entertainment and many stalls selling everything from sweets to trinkets. You can even watch the low flying aircraft as they cruise past on their way to the airport. The passengers can only look down in envy at what they are missing tonight. Entry is free. More about the Festa da Ria Formosa here.
Festa da Sardinha - Portimão
From the 1st to the 11th August, Portimao is hosting their annual Sardine Party. With a slightly different set up this year, the city is laying on plenty of nightly entertainment while the restaurants are featuring sardine menus. Located on the waterfront, the fish are hauled off the boats and onto the waiting grills. This year there is no entry fee: from 9pm the waterfront will be the place to go for a great night out. Read more about the Portimão festival and the unique Algarvean way to eat Sardines.
Festival do Marisco - Olhão
Not to be outdone, Olhão is hosting their 28th Seafood Festival from 10th to 15th August. Offering every type of shellfish and seafood as well as cataplanas, paellas, and Algarvean stews, the hundreds of stalls cater for every taste. Of course there is live entertainment, singing and dancing, activities for kids and plenty of stalls filled with sweets, deserts, local handicrafts and much more. The atmosphere is electric and the food is fabulous.
For a small entrance fee (€8 for adults and €3 for children (7-12) you can join the thousands of visitors enjoying a fantastic night out from 7.30pm to 1.30am. Look for our Festival do Marisco blog coming up next week!
Festa da Sardinha – Olhos de Água
On a smaller scale there is also the 16thFesta da Sardinha at Largo dos Pescadores in Olhos de Água, between Vilamoura and Albufeira, from 9th to 12th August. Sardines will be plentiful as well as other local delicacies, and the free entry includes live entertainment, kids activities and much more.
So by now you will be stuffed to the gills with fish (pardon the pun) and maybe ready to move on to the other fairs and events that are going on this month.
Fair Play in the Algarve
Fatacil de Lagoa
Starting with a biggie, the 34th Fatacil de Lagoa takes place between the 16th and 25th August. This year the focus is on Handicraft, Tourism, Agriculture, Trade and Industry and includes over 600 exhibitors. With special focus on the region’s cuisine and produce, the nation’s handicrafts as well as horse farming from Portugal, Spain and Brazil, this Fair is a showcase for everything that is good about the Algarve.
A Lagoa country fair which features livestock and farming machinery as well as all the latest and greatest that is on offer for home, garden and office. With hundreds of stalls selling everything from accessories to jacuzzis, it’s all there.
Naturally, being the Algarve, there will be a mountain of food and drink available and nightly concerts for entertainment. Opening times are 6pm to 1am and entry is €5 per person or, for a family of four, €15. Note that children under 12 go free.
Festa do Frango - Guia
Guia is holding its 26th annual Chicken Fair from 2nd to the 4th August and you can be sure the mouth-watering smell of chicken, grilled in typical Portuguese style, will permeate the whole town. The festival attracts thousands of residents and tourists alike, and includes a local artesanato (handicrafts) show as well, featuring cork, lace, embroidery and more. There is no entrance fee, the fair runs from 7pm until midnight each evening and includes a line-up of great live entertainment.
Feira de Tradições e Artes do Algarve (FETAAL) – Bensafrim, Lagos
From the 9th to the 11th August in Parque Urbano, Bensafrim, Lagos, will be the 12th Algarve Arts & Traditions Fair. This annual event is set on both sides of the river Bensafrim and is a showcase for the Algarve’s local traditions, arts and crafts. Along with live music and an ‘inflatable zone’ play area for kids, there is plenty for all the family. Try one of the traditional foods of the region: wild boar stew!
Bring on the music
FolkFaro 2013
The international Folk Faro Festival is on from 17th to 25th August, opening at 9.30pm in the Faro Municipal Theatre with a gala show of folk singing and dancing. For 9 days 300 dancers representing 7 countries will entertain with daily shows from 10pm at the stage at the waterfront in Faro. Entrance to the opening gala is €10.
XXV Festival Nacional (Folkloric Festival) - Odiáxere
A traditional Folk Fest is being held in Odiáxere, Lagos on the 10th August from 9.30pm. Held at the Largo da Igreja (church square), the festival features local folk music and dancing and of course, eating and drinking
Concert on the Course – Vale de Lobo
23rd August sees the Music of the Movies: a sunset concert featuring the Algarve Orchestra held on the 18th hole of the Ocean Golf Course in Vale de Lobo. Part of the resort’s 50th anniversary celebrations, sounds of the Silver Screen will float across the course. Tickets to be purchased in advance - €25.
And there’s more!
Albufeira
On the 14th August, Albufeira will be holding a mass at the Igreja de Matriz, which will be followed by a procession to the Fisherman’s Beach and back to honour Our Lady of the Oracle (the patron Saint of fishermen). Fireworks will end the day.
Staying in Albufeira, on the 20th August is Municipal Day which is a public holiday in the town. This makes for a real family day outing with sports, entertainment for all ages and a grand finale of fireworks to thrill the crowds.
Party time
Festa de Banho – Solaria Beach, Lagos
On the 29th August there’s the Festa de Banho on the pier and Solaria Beach in Lagos. A party to mark the end of summer, it features a swimming costume contest, live music and a lot of partying! This is where the music is thumping, the drinks are flowing and everyone is dancing. Definitely a young people’s night out.
So, there you have it, a whole month of non-stop entertainment, eating, drinking and making merry.
Are you going to any of these events? Have you been to past events? Tell us about it….
Brought to you by Meravista – the place where smart people search for Algarve property for sale.
Things to do in the Algarve for August 2013
by Sun’s Dragon
This month the Algarve is into the full summer season and every town and village has set out to make this a bumper month for entertainment and events. Whether on the coast or in the hills, there are so many goings-on that the mind boggles. The sun is shining, life is good, and so we celebrate!
Life in the Past Lane
Feira Medieval de Silves
Medieval Mania is still going strong this month with Silves putting on their famous extravaganza from the 2nd to the 11th August. The town is transformed into long gone, distant times, colourful costumes are worn by the townsfolk and tourist alike, belly dancers, jugglers, snake charmers and acrobats abound. Horse tournaments take place and hundreds of stalls line the narrow, cobbled streets.
There is even a Royal Banquet in the ancient ruins of the famous Castle. Find out more about the Festival and download the festival guide here!
Dias Medievais - Castro Marim
The 22nd to the 25th August, sees Castro Marim holding their Medieval Days festival for the 14th year in a row. For four days and nights families can enjoy the antics of Jesters, the majesty of Kings and Queens and the banquets of delicious local delicacies. Meandering through streets filled with arts and craft stalls and exploring the thirteenth century castle; taking in all the sights and sounds of days of yore is a good way to spend some leisure time with the family.
Fish Out of Water (and onto your plate)
Festa da Ria Formosa - Faro
Continuing their fabulous Ria Formosa Fish Festival, Faro is still pulling in the crowds; having started this fabulous festival on 25th July they will continue to dish up all the glorious shellfish you could wish for until 4th August. Apart from the shellfish in all shapes and forms, there is live entertainment and many stalls selling everything from sweets to trinkets. You can even watch the low flying aircraft as they cruise past on their way to the airport. The passengers can only look down in envy at what they are missing tonight. Entry is free. More about the Festa da Ria Formosa here.
Festa da Sardinha - Portimão
From the 1st to the 11th August, Portimao is hosting their annual Sardine Party. With a slightly different set up this year, the city is laying on plenty of nightly entertainment while the restaurants are featuring sardine menus. Located on the waterfront, the fish are hauled off the boats and onto the waiting grills. This year there is no entry fee: from 9pm the waterfront will be the place to go for a great night out. Read more about the Portimão festival and the unique Algarvean way to eat Sardines.
Festival do Marisco - Olhão
Not to be outdone, Olhão is hosting their 28th Seafood Festival from 10th to 15th August. Offering every type of shellfish and seafood as well as cataplanas, paellas, and Algarvean stews, the hundreds of stalls cater for every taste. Of course there is live entertainment, singing and dancing, activities for kids and plenty of stalls filled with sweets, deserts, local handicrafts and much more. The atmosphere is electric and the food is fabulous.
For a small entrance fee (€8 for adults and €3 for children (7-12) you can join the thousands of visitors enjoying a fantastic night out from 7.30pm to 1.30am. Look for our Festival do Marisco blog coming up next week!
Festa da Sardinha – Olhos de Água
On a smaller scale there is also the 16th Festa da Sardinha at Largo dos Pescadores in Olhos de Água, between Vilamoura and Albufeira, from 9th to 12th August. Sardines will be plentiful as well as other local delicacies, and the free entry includes live entertainment, kids activities and much more.
So by now you will be stuffed to the gills with fish (pardon the pun) and maybe ready to move on to the other fairs and events that are going on this month.
Fair Play in the Algarve
Fatacil de Lagoa
Starting with a biggie, the 34th Fatacil de Lagoa takes place between the 16th and 25th August. This year the focus is on Handicraft, Tourism, Agriculture, Trade and Industry and includes over 600 exhibitors. With special focus on the region’s cuisine and produce, the nation’s handicrafts as well as horse farming from Portugal, Spain and Brazil, this Fair is a showcase for everything that is good about the Algarve.
A Lagoa country fair which features livestock and farming machinery as well as all the latest and greatest that is on offer for home, garden and office. With hundreds of stalls selling everything from accessories to jacuzzis, it’s all there.
Naturally, being the Algarve, there will be a mountain of food and drink available and nightly concerts for entertainment. Opening times are 6pm to 1am and entry is €5 per person or, for a family of four, €15. Note that children under 12 go free.
Festa do Frango - Guia
Guia is holding its 26th annual Chicken Fair from 2nd to the 4th August and you can be sure the mouth-watering smell of chicken, grilled in typical Portuguese style, will permeate the whole town. The festival attracts thousands of residents and tourists alike, and includes a local artesanato (handicrafts) show as well, featuring cork, lace, embroidery and more. There is no entrance fee, the fair runs from 7pm until midnight each evening and includes a line-up of great live entertainment.
Feira de Tradições e Artes do Algarve (FETAAL) – Bensafrim, Lagos
From the 9th to the 11th August in Parque Urbano, Bensafrim, Lagos, will be the 12th Algarve Arts & Traditions Fair. This annual event is set on both sides of the river Bensafrim and is a showcase for the Algarve’s local traditions, arts and crafts. Along with live music and an ‘inflatable zone’ play area for kids, there is plenty for all the family. Try one of the traditional foods of the region: wild boar stew!
Bring on the music
FolkFaro 2013
The international Folk Faro Festival is on from 17th to 25th August, opening at 9.30pm in the Faro Municipal Theatre with a gala show of folk singing and dancing. For 9 days 300 dancers representing 7 countries will entertain with daily shows from 10pm at the stage at the waterfront in Faro. Entrance to the opening gala is €10.
XXV Festival Nacional (Folkloric Festival) - Odiáxere
A traditional Folk Fest is being held in Odiáxere, Lagos on the 10th August from 9.30pm. Held at the Largo da Igreja (church square), the festival features local folk music and dancing and of course, eating and drinking
Concert on the Course – Vale de Lobo
23rd August sees the Music of the Movies: a sunset concert featuring the Algarve Orchestra held on the 18th hole of the Ocean Golf Course in Vale de Lobo. Part of the resort’s 50th anniversary celebrations, sounds of the Silver Screen will float across the course. Tickets to be purchased in advance - €25.
And there’s more!
Albufeira
Staying in Albufeira, on the 20th August is Municipal Day which is a public holiday in the town. This makes for a real family day outing with sports, entertainment for all ages and a grand finale of fireworks to thrill the crowds.
Party time
Festa de Banho – Solaria Beach, Lagos
On the 29th August there’s the Festa de Banho on the pier and Solaria Beach in Lagos. A party to mark the end of summer, it features a swimming costume contest, live music and a lot of partying! This is where the music is thumping, the drinks are flowing and everyone is dancing. Definitely a young people’s night out.
So, there you have it, a whole month of non-stop entertainment, eating, drinking and making merry.
Are you going to any of these events? Have you been to past events? Tell us about it….
Brought to you by Meravista – the place where smart people search for Algarve property for sale.