Events in the Municipality of Santarém
January
Arneiro das Milhariças Annual Festivals
On January 20th, 21st, and 22nd of each year, the annual festivals in honor of Martyr St. Sebastian are held in the parish of Arneiro das Milhariças. The Festivals are a moment of great enthusiasm for the population, characterized by the local pride inherent in experiencing a centuries-old tradition.
February
Amiais de Baixo Festivals
One of the most prominent traditions of the people of Amiais de Baixo is the annual Festival in Honor of Martyr St. Sebastian. Lasting 4 days, from Saturday to Tuesday, it has been held every year during the week before Carnival since 1847. This festival features particularly unique moments, but the one that attracts the most visitors is the torchlight procession to the cemetery to retrieve the image of Archangel St. Michael and bring it to the Church. The festivities are an extraordinary moment of conviviality, highlighting the hospitable and welcoming spirit of the population.
February
Carnaval Trapalhão
One of the most prominent traditions of the people of Amiais de Baixo is the annual Festival in Honor of Martyr St. Sebastian. Lasting 4 days, from Saturday to Tuesday, it has been held every year during the week before Carnival since 1847. This festival features particularly unique moments, but the one that attracts the most visitors is the torchlight procession to the cemetery to retrieve the image of Archangel St. Michael and bring it to the Church. The festivities are an extraordinary moment of conviviality, highlighting the hospitable and welcoming spirit of the population.
February
Lusoflora
This event is organized by the Portuguese Association of Producers of Natural Plants and Flowers (APPPFN) at CNEMA, in Santarém. It positions itself as a privileged space for exhibiting products and services, as well as for knowledge sharing—featuring symposia that foster collective reflection on the Portuguese Ornamental Horticulture sector.
March
St. Joseph’s Festivals (Festas de S. José)
The St. Joseph’s Festivals have revived an ancient tradition that celebrates the city, the municipality, the region, and its community life. It is an event where the sacred and the profane join hands to recreate the Ribatejo Festival in its fullest sense, exalting some of its primary icons and the typically "Ribatejano" atmosphere. Campinos (traditional cattle herders), bulls, handicrafts, music, and folklore come to the city of Santarém to celebrate the honor of the city and St. Joseph (the city's patron saint). This event calls upon the past for a reunion with history, tradition, and the construction of freedom, contributing to its prominence on the national stage.
April
Festivals of the Most Holy Miracle (Festas do Santíssimo Milagre)
The traditional Festivals of the Most Holy Miracle take place in Santarém on the Sunday after Easter (Pascoela). The great Festival of the Most Holy Miracle begins with the veneration of the Sacred Relic, followed by a solemn mass presided over by the Bishop of Santarém, D. Manuel Pelino. In the afternoon, the city streets host the traditional procession featuring the Relic of the Most Holy Miracle.
April
Commemorations of April 25, 1974
May
Expocaça
The oldest hunting fair on the Iberian Peninsula annually promotes the participation of the sector's various stakeholders—including hunters, businesses, and other organizations—highlighting hunting as a significant contributor to the national economy and, above all, to environmental balance and management. Visiting EXPOCAÇA guarantees the opportunity to see, test, and purchase all the latest innovations for hunting and fishing.
June
National Agriculture Fair
For 54 years, the National Agriculture Fair has been a privileged venue for launching and showcasing new products, promoting new services, and sharing knowledge. The fair is a benchmark exhibition for the rural and agricultural world, featuring highlights such as the agricultural machinery zone, livestock displays, handicrafts, and gastronomy. It also offers a world of entertainment and the promotion of traditional values, including typical bull runs (largadas de toiros), parades and skills trials by campinos (traditional cattle herders), equestrian activities, and folk and traditional music. For more information, visit: https://feiranacionalagricultura.pt/
July and August
In.Santarém
The In.Str Summer Initiative is built upon a partnership led by the Municipality of Santarém. It brings together over a hundred cultural stakeholders (including institutions, associations, and individual artists) and economic partners, alongside several other supporting entities.
July and August
Traditional Festivals in Abrã
The traditional festivities of Abrã, held in honor of Santa Margarida, the parish's patron saint, date back to 1693, the year the mother church was built. Always held in August, these celebrations are a hallmark of joy and community spirit for the local population.
September
Celestino Graça International Folklore Festival
National and foreign folklore, traditional music, Fado from Lisbon and Coimbra, traditional games, Ribatejo fandango showcases, dance workshops, street entertainment, handicrafts and photography exhibitions, philharmonic music, and Ribatejo gastronomy are just some of the activities featured in this festival's general program. Organized by the Grupo Académico de Danças Ribatejanas and the Liga dos Amigos do Festival, in close partnership with the Santarém City Council, the event's main objective is to defend and promote the ethnographic and folkloric heritage of the Ribatejo region. On an international level, it aims to foster knowledge and connection between different cultures through the art of dance.
September
AgroGlobal
The largest national agricultural fair features the entire industry in a 100% professional environment. It serves as a hub for knowledge sharing focused on agribusiness, presented in a dynamic and interactive "3D" format within the exceptional fields of the Tagus lezíria (floodplains). AgroGlobal values the wisdom gained through generations of farmers while simultaneously showcasing the technological and scientific tools that a vast array of companies provides to the sector through constant innovation.
October
National Gastronomy Festival
In the autumn, Santarém hosts the oldest and largest Gastronomy Festival in the country. Restaurants, high-quality food exhibitors, and visitors arrive from all over Portugal to revisit Portuguese culinary traditions and discover the 21 latest trends on the national gastronomic scene. This major gathering is celebrated annually for one week at the iconic Casa do Campino in Santarém. For more information, visit: www.festivalnacionaldegastronomia.pt
October
International Theater Festival for Childhood and Youth (FITIJ) / Clown Biennial
First organized in 1993, this festival has become a major celebration of theater and the arts in general. It features a high-quality program including performances produced and staged by both national and international cultural agents. This programming is further complemented by technical and artistic training workshops, street entertainment, exhibitions, and other activities. With an increasingly refined presentation attentive to contemporary issues, the festival serves as a platform for cultural exchange between groups from various participating countries, which remains its core driving force.
November
Avisan
Usually held in November, Avisan – the National Exhibition of Birds, Pets, Equipment, and Accessories – aims to be a unifying market for the leading brands in the sector. It serves to captivate industry professionals and attract both national and international breeders, among other interested parties. As part of this event, the Santarém National Dog Show, the Santarém International Dog Show, and the Santarém International Cat Show take place, organized in collaboration with the Portuguese Kennel Club (Clube Português de Canicultura) and the Portuguese Cat Club (Clube Português de Felinicultura).
December
Christmas Kingdom (Reino de Natal)
In December, Santarém transforms into the Christmas Kingdom, featuring a wide range of entertainment and programs for all ages. The streets are illuminated, giving the city new colors and a cozy atmosphere. Throughout the city, there are countless activities and experiences for families to enjoy together. Christmas markets, holiday concerts, activities for the little ones, exhibitions, an ice rink, snow tubing (ice ramp), and inflatables—along with adventure activities like a climbing wall, zip-lining, tree climbing, electric reindeer, and a giant snow globe—bring a new life to the streets of Santarém during this festive season.
