One thing that won’t happen to you in the Algarve, is boredom. Aside from the hundreds of beaches, loads of golf courses and plenty of activities available on a daily basis including horse riding, cycling clubs, charity fundraisers, and a host of other sociable options, each month is packed with festivals and events to keep anyone of any age or nationality entertained. Here’s a small selection of what’s going on in the Algarve in April.
Easter Celebrations across the Algarve
We’re off to a great start of the month when Easter celebrations are in full swing. Palm Sunday has already been and gone with various celebrations in Churches throughout the Algarve. But there are plenty more Easter events coming up!
Easter Folar cakes, with their hard-boiled egg toppings, plus marzipan figures and cakes and of course sugared almonds will be available everywhere. Music, dancing, singing and feasting follow each festival – this is the Portuguese way of celebrating Easter.
Good Friday, on the 3rd April, will see many celebrations across the region. One is the fantastic and poignant holy procession in the ancient town of Silves. Lit by torches, and with the rhythmic pounding of staves on the cobblestones and sombre chants, this two hour procession will wind through the traditional narrow streets.
Still on Good Friday, the New Goldra Dog Sanctuary will be holding a fun Easter charity lunch at Solar do Poeta restaurant in Almancil at 12.30pm.
This three course lunch includes wine, water and coffee and will cost you €25 per person or €12.50 for children. It’s a fantastic cause and I can vouch for fantastic food and service, so why not have a fun family lunch and help raise some funds? They are promising lots of raffle prizes, chocolates and chicks!!! For more information and to make reservations email Sue Ward.
There’s the 10th annual Grandmother’s Sweet Fair (Feira de Doces d’ Avó) being held in Alcoutim at Cais da Vila on the 3rd and 4th of April.
On Friday the 3rd April there will be children’s workshops on baking Folores, the traditional Easter cakes, followed by music and a competition involving Folar cakes. On Saturday 4th April between 3pm and 5pm, there’ll Easter egg painting for the kids and more music.
Of course this wouldn’t be a traditional fair without local handicrafts being displayed and of course there’s bound to be dancing in the street – we’re in Portugal, where the locals know how to have fun. The fair will open at 2pm and close at 7pm on both days and everyone will be made welcome.
Easter Sunday on the 5th April sees the roads in São Brás decorated with flowers in intricate patterns, created by the local townswomen through the night, in preparation for the Festa das Tochas Floridas (Festival of the Flower Torches) and the streets are filled with the procession of men chanting and carrying their ‘torches’ made of flowers in this beautiful annual procession. Well worth a visit!
The other famous Easter festival in the region is the Festa da Mãe Soberana (Feast of the Sovereign Mother) in Loulé. It starts with a solemn procession on Easter Sunday at the Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Piedade and culminates at the Church of Sao Francisco. The procession is accompanied by the Philharmonic Band of Artists of Minerva.
This is followed by the Great Feast on the 19th April. This attracts thousands of pilgrims and visitors to the city of Loulé, and is the reverse procession back to the Church of Our Lady. By tradition the day will end in fireworks.
Check with your local Junta de Freguesia (parish council) to find out what is going on near you!
Easter Golf
For all those aspiring juniors who want to learn to play golf, here’s a good deal being offered by Pestana Vila Sol Golf Club. On 31st March, 1st and 2nd of April and again on the 7th, 8th and 9th April at 5pm, there’s a Junior golf roll up.
PGA professional Richard Hudson will be holding a 1 hour lesson for the kids between the ages of five to sixteen. The fee of €10 per child includes equipment, balls and prizes and an ice cream from Oscars! Contact Richard for more information.
Aside from Easter, you can enjoy the Lagoa Wine Show which is running from Thursday 2nd April to Sunday 5th April from 2pm until 5pm. Displaying wines from all the Portuguese regions as well as various other local products, you can go along to learn more about local wines as well as try free tasters!
Art for everyone
Regardless of how good you are at what you do, you know you’re never going to please everyone. So Alyson and Dave Sheldrake have come up with a brilliant idea for their latest exhibition, “4 Artists in One Room” to be held in Carvoeiro.
The Hotel Carvoeiro Sol is proud to host this exhibition from Friday 3rd April to Wednesday 8th April between 10am - 5pm each day. The exhibition features four different artists: Alyson Sheldrake, Lesley Goldie, David Sheldrake and Cory Sea. between them they cover the Algarve with modern acrylic and oil paintings, photographic art and prints. Cory Sea, the renowned jazz musician, will also be promoting his latest album ‘Bright Timing’.
There’s bound to be something for everyone so make sure you pop in and meet these great folks to see and hear their lovely works.
The art of the theatre is alive and comical at the Friends of the Museum in São Brás. On Friday the 10th and Saturday the 11th April they will be featuring a comedy written by one of their ‘Amigos’, Carolyn Kain. The Rhyming Diary of Mrs. Pepys is based on the marriage of King Charles II to the Portuguese Princess, Catherine of Braganza, and the play is a bawdy restoration comedy. Starting at 7pm, tickets cost €8 per person and you can find out more by contacting Vania Mendonça.
Mediterranean Gardening
This specialised way of constructing and maintaining a garden is perfect for the Algarvean climate. With some imagination and knowledge of plants, you can have a colourful and blooming garden all year round.
The Mediterranean Gardening Association – Portugal (MGAP) are having a Spring Garden Fair on Saturday 11th April from 11am until 5pm at Quinta da Figueirinha, Silves. Entry costs just €1 and children are free, lunch and refreshments are available and there will be workshops and a plant clinic to help you on your way.
The Scots have had their Burns Night and the Irish have had their St. Paddy’s day; now it’s the turn of the English to celebrate their patron saint, good old St. George, the slayer of dragons.
On the 23rd April, APAA (Association for the Protection of Animals in the Algarve) are holding a charity fundraising lunch. This, as expected on such a day, is to be a very ‘English’ lunch followed by a good old English sing-song.
It will set you back €12.50 for a three course lunch (drinks are extra). Pat and Alan have kindly offered their garden in Alcantarilha for the event. You can find out more and book a table by contacting Jenny.
On Saturday 18th April the Serra de Monchique Golf Club will be hosting a St. George’s Day drawn match play social competition. Of course the dress code is Red and White.
The club play at the Pestana course Silves, at the foot of the Monchique mountain. Find out more about the St. George’s event fromtheir website.
Staying with golf, here’s a fine Juniors competition open to kids aged between six and sixteen. Playing on the 18th and 25th April at a cost of €40 per child including lunch at Alto Golf Club in the western Algarve. From 10am until midday is the short game, followed by lunch.
From 1pm until 2pm will be the long game and then games for the kids from 2pm until 3pm! To book or to get more information call Rob Cheney on 915 635 413 or Ethan Shaw on 917 758 574.
More kids’ activities
Fat Cats bar and restaurant in Albufeira is putting on a great fun afternoon for kids on the 18th April. There’ll be giant snakes and ladders, a treasure hunt, mini bouncy castle and much more to entertain the young ones.
Fat Cats will be laying on a kid’s meal with a soft drink, ice cream and an Easter egg, all for €7.95. Meanwhile you can relax and enjoy the kids having a great time. If you want to know more, call 966799779.
Here’s another one for a family day out.
FIESA, the Algarve’s famous sand sculpture festival, has opened two months earlier than usual this year. Held annually in Pêra since 2003, the organisers have announced that they will be using a different venue next year. So, this is the last chance to see this magnificent display in its usual setting.
It opened on the 20th March 2015 and will be open daily until 20th October 2015. Ticket prices this year are €9 for adults and €4.50 for children (kids under six go in free of charge).
This year’s theme is music once again and will feature artistes such as Bono, Amy Winehouse and many more, including such illustrious personages as Mozart and Beethoven. Find out more by visiting the FIESA website.
Liberation Day
On the 25th April in 1974, the ‘Carnation Revolution’ took place in Portugal. Because the coup was relatively peaceful and hardly a shot was fired, the population spontaneously placed carnations down the barrels of the soldier’s guns and on their uniforms. There’ll be parties and celebrations throughout the Algarve to mark this public holiday.
For instance in Faro the celebrations start on the night of the 24th with music and festivities and carry on through the 25th. Albufeira celebrates in style with sporting and musical entertainment during the day and fireworks at night.
Look out for posters or check at your Junta de Freguesia to find out what’s happening where you live.
The delightful village of Alte, in the municipality of Loulé, lies nestled in the foothills of the Serra do Caldeirão. Since 1995 they have held the annual Alte Week of Culture and this year it starts on the 25th April. The week starts off with a series of mountain bike rides organized by the Professional School Cândido Guerreiro. If you want to participate, you can contact them for more information.
The festivities continue throughout out the week with a wide range of activities; including exhibitions, promotion of local cuisine and crafts, musical performances, children’s entertainment, sports and more. The event culminates on the May 1st public holiday, with a traditional wedding and folkloric festival.
The superbike world championship will be taking place for the 8th consecutive year at the Autodrome Algarve, from 24th to 26th April. Tickets cost from €7 with free entry for children under twelve. Email for more information.
However it’s not just about fast cars and bikes, the Autodrome also has a karting track, a racing school and an off road park as well as renting apartments for visitors. You can find out more about the Autodrome events on their website.
Craft Fair in Fortaleza da Luz
On Saturday 25th April, from 11am until 5pm, there’s a craft fair planned in Fortaleza da Luz. Stalls selling such lovely items as woodwork, glasswork, dolls and much more will be there to serve you.
Of course there’ll also be live music and plenty of dancing: all proceeds go to support local charities. Entrance is free so make sure you pop along and find your perfect piece of artwork for yourself or as a gift.
What’s cooking?
Kiss FM and Nougat tea’N are organising ‘The Battle of the Bakers’ and they are looking for passionate amateur bakers! If you’re interested in taking up this culinary challenge you have until 26th April to enter through the Kiss FM website. In addition to various prizes, the winner gets an afternoon’s intensive course with Pastry Chef Sebastien Serveau. So get baking, all you passionate folks!
Music lovers
Thursday 30 April is International Jazz Day and Lagoa is celebrating with an evening of Jazz with the Algarve Jazz Orchestra at the Auditorio Municipal at Lagao. Tickets are just €6.
Hot off the press
APAR (Apoio e Protecção dos Animais de Rua) is a charity group that try and help protect animals in the Moncarapacho and Fuzeta areas of Olhão county.
They are holding a Picnic for Paws fundraiser at Casa Berlenga in Luz de Tavira on Sunday 19th April from 1pm to 5pm. Their aim is to bring all nationalities together, with everybody bringing a plate of food for all to share (or even your own picnic). Sounds like it will be fun to try different dishes from different countries.
They are still working on the details but I do know that entry will be €5 per adult and €2 per child. There will be stalls selling some lovely soaps, jewellery, kids toys, second hand books and cakes, there may even be more stalls by the time the event takes place.
Also planned are face painting, games, DJ and live music and also a raffle. You will also be able to meet the dogs that are up for adoption! What a great Sunday afternoon out for the family. If you want to find out more just email Eve Clifton or check their Facebook page.
So there you have it: April in the Algarve, out of tourist season, but still bursting at the seams with fun things to do for everyone.
If you’re thinking ‘what a great place to live,’ then don’t be shy – come and join us! Have a browse on our property pages where there are over 22,000 properties for sale in the Algarve. Just think – there has to be one tailor made for you and your lifestyle!
So, don’t hang around: strike while the iron is hot and the Algarve still offers a buyers’ market.
Things to do in the Algarve in April 2015
By Sun’s Dragon
One thing that won’t happen to you in the Algarve, is boredom. Aside from the hundreds of beaches, loads of golf courses and plenty of activities available on a daily basis including horse riding, cycling clubs, charity fundraisers, and a host of other sociable options, each month is packed with festivals and events to keep anyone of any age or nationality entertained. Here’s a small selection of what’s going on in the Algarve in April.
Easter Celebrations across the Algarve
Easter Folar cakes, with their hard-boiled egg toppings, plus marzipan figures and cakes and of course sugared almonds will be available everywhere. Music, dancing, singing and feasting follow each festival – this is the Portuguese way of celebrating Easter.
Still on Good Friday, the New Goldra Dog Sanctuary will be holding a fun Easter charity lunch at Solar do Poeta restaurant in Almancil at 12.30pm.
This three course lunch includes wine, water and coffee and will cost you €25 per person or €12.50 for children. It’s a fantastic cause and I can vouch for fantastic food and service, so why not have a fun family lunch and help raise some funds? They are promising lots of raffle prizes, chocolates and chicks!!! For more information and to make reservations email Sue Ward.
There’s the 10th annual Grandmother’s Sweet Fair (Feira de Doces d’ Avó) being held in Alcoutim at Cais da Vila on the 3rd and 4th of April.
On Friday the 3rd April there will be children’s workshops on baking Folores, the traditional Easter cakes, followed by music and a competition involving Folar cakes. On Saturday 4th April between 3pm and 5pm, there’ll Easter egg painting for the kids and more music.
Of course this wouldn’t be a traditional fair without local handicrafts being displayed and of course there’s bound to be dancing in the street – we’re in Portugal, where the locals know how to have fun. The fair will open at 2pm and close at 7pm on both days and everyone will be made welcome.
Easter Sunday on the 5th April sees the roads in São Brás decorated with flowers in intricate patterns, created by the local townswomen through the night, in preparation for the Festa das Tochas Floridas (Festival of the Flower Torches) and the streets are filled with the procession of men chanting and carrying their ‘torches’ made of flowers in this beautiful annual procession. Well worth a visit!
This is followed by the Great Feast on the 19th April. This attracts thousands of pilgrims and visitors to the city of Loulé, and is the reverse procession back to the Church of Our Lady. By tradition the day will end in fireworks.
Check with your local Junta de Freguesia (parish council) to find out what is going on near you!
For all those aspiring juniors who want to learn to play golf, here’s a good deal being offered by Pestana Vila Sol Golf Club. On 31st March, 1st and 2nd of April and again on the 7th, 8th and 9th April at 5pm, there’s a Junior golf roll up.
PGA professional Richard Hudson will be holding a 1 hour lesson for the kids between the ages of five to sixteen. The fee of €10 per child includes equipment, balls and prizes and an ice cream from Oscars! Contact Richard for more information.
Aside from Easter, you can enjoy the Lagoa Wine Show which is running from Thursday 2nd April to Sunday 5th April from 2pm until 5pm. Displaying wines from all the Portuguese regions as well as various other local products, you can go along to learn more about local wines as well as try free tasters!
Art for everyone
Regardless of how good you are at what you do, you know you’re never going to please everyone. So Alyson and Dave Sheldrake have come up with a brilliant idea for their latest exhibition, “4 Artists in One Room” to be held in Carvoeiro.
The Hotel Carvoeiro Sol is proud to host this exhibition from Friday 3rd April to Wednesday 8th April between 10am - 5pm each day. The exhibition features four different artists: Alyson Sheldrake, Lesley Goldie, David Sheldrake and Cory Sea. between them they cover the Algarve with modern acrylic and oil paintings, photographic art and prints. Cory Sea, the renowned jazz musician, will also be promoting his latest album ‘Bright Timing’.
There’s bound to be something for everyone so make sure you pop in and meet these great folks to see and hear their lovely works.
The art of the theatre is alive and comical at the Friends of the Museum in São Brás. On Friday the 10th and Saturday the 11th April they will be featuring a comedy written by one of their ‘Amigos’, Carolyn Kain. The Rhyming Diary of Mrs. Pepys is based on the marriage of King Charles II to the Portuguese Princess, Catherine of Braganza, and the play is a bawdy restoration comedy. Starting at 7pm, tickets cost €8 per person and you can find out more by contacting Vania Mendonça.
This specialised way of constructing and maintaining a garden is perfect for the Algarvean climate. With some imagination and knowledge of plants, you can have a colourful and blooming garden all year round.
The Mediterranean Gardening Association – Portugal (MGAP) are having a Spring Garden Fair on Saturday 11th April from 11am until 5pm at Quinta da Figueirinha, Silves. Entry costs just €1 and children are free, lunch and refreshments are available and there will be workshops and a plant clinic to help you on your way.
For more information you can visit their great new website or contact Rosie Peddle.
St. George’s day celebrations
The Scots have had their Burns Night and the Irish have had their St. Paddy’s day; now it’s the turn of the English to celebrate their patron saint, good old St. George, the slayer of dragons.
On the 23rd April, APAA (Association for the Protection of Animals in the Algarve) are holding a charity fundraising lunch. This, as expected on such a day, is to be a very ‘English’ lunch followed by a good old English sing-song.
It will set you back €12.50 for a three course lunch (drinks are extra). Pat and Alan have kindly offered their garden in Alcantarilha for the event. You can find out more and book a table by contacting Jenny.
The club play at the Pestana course Silves, at the foot of the Monchique mountain. Find out more about the St. George’s event from their website.
Staying with golf, here’s a fine Juniors competition open to kids aged between six and sixteen. Playing on the 18th and 25th April at a cost of €40 per child including lunch at Alto Golf Club in the western Algarve. From 10am until midday is the short game, followed by lunch.
From 1pm until 2pm will be the long game and then games for the kids from 2pm until 3pm! To book or to get more information call Rob Cheney on 915 635 413 or Ethan Shaw on 917 758 574.
More kids’ activities
Fat Cats bar and restaurant in Albufeira is putting on a great fun afternoon for kids on the 18th April. There’ll be giant snakes and ladders, a treasure hunt, mini bouncy castle and much more to entertain the young ones.
Fat Cats will be laying on a kid’s meal with a soft drink, ice cream and an Easter egg, all for €7.95. Meanwhile you can relax and enjoy the kids having a great time. If you want to know more, call 966799779.
Here’s another one for a family day out.
FIESA, the Algarve’s famous sand sculpture festival, has opened two months earlier than usual this year. Held annually in Pêra since 2003, the organisers have announced that they will be using a different venue next year. So, this is the last chance to see this magnificent display in its usual setting.
It opened on the 20th March 2015 and will be open daily until 20th October 2015. Ticket prices this year are €9 for adults and €4.50 for children (kids under six go in free of charge).
This year’s theme is music once again and will feature artistes such as Bono, Amy Winehouse and many more, including such illustrious personages as Mozart and Beethoven. Find out more by visiting the FIESA website.
Liberation Day
For instance in Faro the celebrations start on the night of the 24th with music and festivities and carry on through the 25th. Albufeira celebrates in style with sporting and musical entertainment during the day and fireworks at night.
Look out for posters or check at your Junta de Freguesia to find out what’s happening where you live.
The festivities continue throughout out the week with a wide range of activities; including exhibitions, promotion of local cuisine and crafts, musical performances, children’s entertainment, sports and more. The event culminates on the May 1st public holiday, with a traditional wedding and folkloric festival.
Don’t forget to check our article on Annual festivals and events in the Algarve region!
Motor bikes and more
The superbike world championship will be taking place for the 8th consecutive year at the Autodrome Algarve, from 24th to 26th April. Tickets cost from €7 with free entry for children under twelve. Email for more information.
However it’s not just about fast cars and bikes, the Autodrome also has a karting track, a racing school and an off road park as well as renting apartments for visitors. You can find out more about the Autodrome events on their website.
Craft Fair in Fortaleza da Luz
On Saturday 25th April, from 11am until 5pm, there’s a craft fair planned in Fortaleza da Luz. Stalls selling such lovely items as woodwork, glasswork, dolls and much more will be there to serve you.
Of course there’ll also be live music and plenty of dancing: all proceeds go to support local charities. Entrance is free so make sure you pop along and find your perfect piece of artwork for yourself or as a gift.
What’s cooking?
Kiss FM and Nougat tea’N are organising ‘The Battle of the Bakers’ and they are looking for passionate amateur bakers! If you’re interested in taking up this culinary challenge you have until 26th April to enter through the Kiss FM website. In addition to various prizes, the winner gets an afternoon’s intensive course with Pastry Chef Sebastien Serveau. So get baking, all you passionate folks!
Music lovers
Thursday 30 April is International Jazz Day and Lagoa is celebrating with an evening of Jazz with the Algarve Jazz Orchestra at the Auditorio Municipal at Lagao. Tickets are just €6.
Hot off the press
APAR (Apoio e Protecção dos Animais de Rua) is a charity group that try and help protect animals in the Moncarapacho and Fuzeta areas of Olhão county.
They are holding a Picnic for Paws fundraiser at Casa Berlenga in Luz de Tavira on Sunday 19th April from 1pm to 5pm. Their aim is to bring all nationalities together, with everybody bringing a plate of food for all to share (or even your own picnic). Sounds like it will be fun to try different dishes from different countries.
They are still working on the details but I do know that entry will be €5 per adult and €2 per child. There will be stalls selling some lovely soaps, jewellery, kids toys, second hand books and cakes, there may even be more stalls by the time the event takes place.
Also planned are face painting, games, DJ and live music and also a raffle. You will also be able to meet the dogs that are up for adoption! What a great Sunday afternoon out for the family. If you want to find out more just email Eve Clifton or check their Facebook page.
So there you have it: April in the Algarve, out of tourist season, but still bursting at the seams with fun things to do for everyone.
If you’re thinking ‘what a great place to live,’ then don’t be shy – come and join us! Have a browse on our property pages where there are over 22,000 properties for sale in the Algarve. Just think – there has to be one tailor made for you and your lifestyle!
So, don’t hang around: strike while the iron is hot and the Algarve still offers a buyers’ market.
Brought to you by Meravista.com – the place where smart people search for Algarve property for sale. Contact Meravista.com