15 de March, 2024
Just a slight increase in temperatures is enough to kick off the season of music festivals in Portugal. The country hosts excellent festive events, catering to diverse audiences. There are options for the more sophisticated consumers who prefer to delve into jazz at elegant venues. And there are also options for those who prefer camping with their tribe to exchange positive energies and enjoy good music. From blues to rock ‘n’ roll, there are choices for all ages and budgets. Portuguese music festivals usually attract people from all over, as ticket prices are cheaper than the average in other European countries. This makes these events even more special, as they enable an incredible mix of accents and cultures.
If you’re a big fan of all this, take note, as we’ll gather here the best music festivals in Portugal in 2024. This year, the country will host big names such as Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Dua Lipa, Måneskin, Ed Sheeran, and much more!
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The compass points north, announces the North Music Festival, which aims to mark the beginning of the festival season, still in the month of May. Although born in the city of Guimarães, this festival migrated to Porto in its 2nd edition, more precisely to the beautiful area of Alfândega. In 2024, it debuts in a new venue: Parque Serralves, expanding its capacity. It is already part of the country’s major events calendar. Its attractions are eclectic and do not disappoint. This year it once again bets on Brazilian music and brings three artists from this country: the carnival performers from Bahia, Bell Marques and Claudia Leitte, and the Brasília-based group, Menos é Mais. The lineup of the North Music Festival also includes the Portuguese-Canadian singer Nelly Furtado, who returns to Portugal after 13 years away from the country. And also: Keane, Myke Towers, Maria Becerra, Tom Odell, and Birdy complete the list of attractions.
When: May 24th, 25th, and 26th
Where: Alfândega do Porto
How much: €55 per day (days 26 or 27), €120 (day 28), or €145 for a 3-day pass.
Who: Bell Marques, Claudia Leite, Grupo Menos é Mais, Nelly Furtado, Keane, Myke Towers, Maria Becerra, Tom Odell, and Birdy.
More: https://www.northmusicfestival.com/
Rock in Rio is a Brazilian music festival created in 1985 in Rio de Janeiro, which in 2004 gained a version in Lisbon. Rock in Rio became internationally known for sparing no expense in hiring internationally renowned bands and not only occupying, but transforming a gigantic area, with the setup of various stages, food courts, socializing areas… A true city of music! Rock in Rio has hosted historic attractions such as Queen (with Freddie Mercury), Oasis, AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, George Michael, Red Hot Chili Peppers, among others…
Rock in Rio Lisboa 2024 celebrates its 10th edition in Portugal and to mark 40 years of history brings some news. One of them is the Route 85 Project, which aims to gather iconic objects that decorated various editions of the festival. The event will take place in a new space: Parque Tejo, which has a capacity for 80,000 people. This change will allow increasing the audience of the Galp Stage to 20,000 people, with about 50 meters in front. Rock in Rio will be the first major event to occupy this new city space since its recent opening.
When: June 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd
Where: Parque Tejo, Lisbon
How much: €84 for one day or €145 for 2 days.
Who: Scorpions, Evanescence, Extreme, Xutos & Pontapés with the Portuguese Philharmonic Orchestra, Calum Scott, Jão, Ed Sheeran, Jonas Brothers, Ivete Sangalo, Doja Cat, Camila Cabello, Ne-Yo…
More: https://rockinriolisboa.sapo.pt/
It is an obligatory stop on the European festival scene. It was considered the 5th best in the continent by the Best European Destinations website. The festival first appeared in Spain, then arrived in Portugal in 2012 and now also gains editions in Los Angeles, Santiago, Buenos Aires and São Paulo.
Similar to what has happened since 2001 in Barcelona, Nos Primavera Sound Porto aims to disseminate the latest trends in music, mostly independent artists, of varied styles, who are standing out on the world stage for the quality of the sound they produce. Sometimes not all the names on the posters may be recognisable to the general public, but have faith: you will be surprised by the talent of the attractions. Of course, the line-up always features renowned international artists, who act as a magnet to attract the general public, but be on the lookout for bands you don’t know: they might be the ones that will impress you the most in the nick of time.
The event provides an app where you can follow the start of each show, mark favourite attractions, schedule alarms, and maintain everything well organised.
When: June 6th to 8th
Where: Parque da Cidade, Porto
How much: €75 per day or €175 for a 3-day pass
Who: SZA, PJ Harvey, Mitski, Kim Petras, Amyl and the Sniffers, American Football, Lana Del Rey, Justice, Lambchop, The Last Dinner Party, Pulp, The National, Arca…
More: https://www.primaverasound.com/pt/porto
NOS Alive is an alternative music festival that takes place in Oeiras, on the outskirts of Lisbon. Despite being young (it started in 2007), it is already considered as one of the best festivals in Portugal, with the motto of having “the best NOS Alive, an alternative music festival in Oeiras, near Lisbon, has been recognized as one of the best in Portugal since its creation in 2007. In 2009, it was even considered by the British magazine NME as one of the 12 best festivals in Europe held outside the United Kingdom. The festival takes place during the second week of July and lasts for 3 or 4 days. Currently, it features six stages, including one dedicated to fado music and another for stand-up comedy. Tickets sell out in advance, even with a capacity for 55 thousand people per day. In 2024, its 16th edition, with 3 nights of shows, stands out for the highly anticipated performance by Pearl Jam.lineup ever”. In 2009 it was even considered by the British magazine NME one of the 12 best European festivals outside the UK.
Tickets sell out in advance, even with a capacity for 55 thousand people per day. In 2024, its 16th edition, with 3 nights of shows, stands out for the highly anticipated performance by Pearl Jam.
When: July 6th, 7th, and 8th
Where: Passeio Marítimo de Algés
How much: €79 per day or €190 for a 3-day pass.
Who: Dua Lipa, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Parcels, Arcade Fire, Nothing But Thieves, Jessie Ware, Kanya Grace, Benjamin Clementine.
More: https://nosalive.com/
On the Gaia side, at the mouth of the Douro river, very close to the beaches, the Meo Marés Vivas Festival has been held since 1999. The festival is known for its star-studded line-up, with big names, especially in pop music. Besides that, with a capacity for more than 30 thousand festival-goers per day, it has a good infrastructure, with alternative stages and a food court. In its last editions it even had comedy shows and performances by young local bands. Despite being located near the beach and always taking place in July – in the middle of summer – make no mistake: the new space that hosts the event is usually cold and windy, and a warm coat is always recommended.
When: July 19th to 21st
Where: Cabedelo, Vila Nova de Gaia
How much: €45 per day or €90 for a 3-day pass.
Who: Take That, D’zrt, James Arthur, Ornatos Violeta, Snow Patrol, Ben Harper, D.A.M.A, Rag´n´Bone Man, Antônio Zambujo, Mariza Liz, Syro, Louis Tomlinson.
More: https://maresvivas.meo.pt/pt
With over 25 years of existence, Super Bock Super Rock is one of the most well-established, acclaimed and popular festivals in Portugal. During that quarter-century, the festival has changed location several times: from various venues in Lisbon and to Meco Beach. But one of the things that hasn’t changed over time is the commitment to presenting impressive headliners, with artists from all over the world. The event has 4 different stages. In addition to rock, the festival also hosts renowned stars and rising talents from pop, electronic music, hip-hop, indie and alternative music.
When: July 18th to 20th
Where: Meco, Sesimbra
How much: €72 per day or €154 for a simple pass, €164 for a pass with camping for 3 days.
Who: Maneskin, Mahalia, Black Coffee, 21 Savage, Royal Blood, Slow J, Tom Morello
More: https://www.superbocksuperrock.pt/
The Meo Sudoeste has lost its title sponsor, but the “Join the tribe” slogan continues to resonate as the festival’s motto. Here, a wide range of renowned artists from musical styles ranging from Reggae to Rock, through electronic music, and even Fado are brought together. The festival had its first edition in 1997, in a historic edition that was marked not only by the great attractions (Marilyn Manson, Blur, and Suede), but also by being set up in just 11 days after the organizers fell out with the owners of the space originally dedicated to the festival. Since then, the event has grown considerably. Its camping park resembles a “mini city”, with waste collection, a supermarket, around 500 showers, a communal kitchen, a fire station, a medical center, and police presence. Bathing in the Herdade da Casa Branca canal is a tradition among campers. Young people are the majority in the space, but it is also possible to go with the whole family. Those with children aged between 6 and 12 can benefit from a space with children’s entertainers and ensure greater tranquility during the concerts.
When: August 7th and 10th
Where: Herdade da Casa Branca, Zambujeira do Mar.
How much: Daily ticket: €69. Full pass: €129 (without camping) and €139 (with camping).
Who: Martin Garrix, Matuê, Barbara Bandeira, Charlote de Witte, Da Weazel, Alok, Anitta, Van Zee…
More: https://sudoeste.meo.pt/pt
Sumol Summer Fest is a music festival in Portugal that has been synonymous with celebration since 2009. It marks the beginning of summer vacations and takes place at São João Beach, in the Inatel Camping Park, in Costa da Caparica. This unique event combines music, beach, and urban culture, providing an unforgettable experience for festival-goers. Targeted towards a young audience and in tune with new trends, the event brings together big names in rap and hip hop.
When: July 5th and 6th
Where: Inatel Camping Park, by São João Beach, in Costa da Caparica
How much: Daily ticket: €50. 2-day pass without camping: €62. 2-day pass with camping: €72.
Who: Offset, Morad, Teto, Wiu, Lon3r Johny, Yendry, King Bigs…
More: https: //sumolsummerfest.com/
Warm summer nights spent in beautiful gardens to the sound of high-quality music sound like a perfect mix to you? EDP Cool Jazz is Portugal’s best jazz festival, with an elegant and cozy atmosphere, in symbiosis with nature. The event takes place in the beautiful city of Cascais and has hosted big stars of jazz, soul, pop, and even other genres inspired by jazz. It attracts an older and more sophisticated audience.
Its first edition took place in 2004, and to celebrate 20 years of the event, big stars like Jamie Cullum and Diana Krall are confirmed.
When: July 9th, 10th, 19th, 26th, 27th, 30th, 31st
Where: Parque Marechal Carmona and Hipódromo Manuel Possolo, Cascais
How much: €30.00 to €55.00 per day, depending on the chosen area (bleachers, standing audience, seated audience, gold seating, box).
Who: Air, Chaka Khan, Diana Krall, Jamie Cullum, Maro, Luedju Luna, Marina Sena, Dino D´Santiango.
More: https://www.cooljazz.pt
We could not end our list without including the oldest festival in Portugal! Vilar de Mouros was born during the New State, in the summer of 1971, when it welcomed international stars such as Elton John and the Manfred Mann. Inspired by the Woodstock model, it was the target of much criticism, in a country still under dictatorship and with a conservative society. This historic festival has also had in previous posters attractions such as Iron Maiden, Neil Young, Joe Cocker, Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, Robert Plant and even U2!!! In 2021, on its 50th anniversary, the VIlar de Mouros got a special free edition, despite the pandemic.
For 2024, Queens of Stone Age, one of the biggest and most important rock bands of the last 20 years, is confirmed. The group led by guitarist and vocalist Josh Homme will perform on the first night of the event.
When: August 21st to 24th
Where: Vilar de Mouros, Caminha, Viana do Castelo
How much: €53.50 per day
Who: Queens of Stone Age…
More: https://www.edpvilardemouros.pt/festival/
Author:
Atlantic Bridge
