What to do in Porto during the St. John festivities? The revelry settles everywhere. If you want tranquility, this is certainly not the best time. If, on the other hand, you are looking for fun and contact with the people of Porto, you will absorb all this Porto feeling and pride.

What to do on St. John’s Eve?

Everything on the night of S. João is camp and fun. Bonfires, manjericos, fireworks, snacks including the famous sardines.

First step, look for a hotel in Porto. The decision to be in the center of the action or further away is yours.

If you want to dine in peace while watching the Porto crowd, hurry up and book the S. João menu. Quickly sells out! Restore strength and energy for the night of revelry that extends until dawn.

St. John festivities schedule

23.06.2023
07:30 pm – Associação de Moradores da Bouça
Cultura em Expansão — “Planet Sardiniax”, de Felix Kubin & Rita Braga

NIGHT OF ST. JOHN
23.06.2023

Launch of São João balloons between 21:45 on June 23rd and 01:00 on the 24th

10:00 pm – Largo do Amor de Perdição
Emanuel e Cláudia Martins & Minhotos Marotos

10:00 pm – Praça do Rossio dos Jardins do Palácio de Cristal
Miguel Araújo e Fogo Fogo

10:00 pm – Praça da Casa da Música
David Bruno & Convidados e Moullinex (Concerto e DJ Set)

00:00 am – Ribeira do Porto e Gaia
Fireworks

00:15 am – Ribeira do Porto e Massarelos
Desfile da Batucada Radical

And much more. Each parish has its schedule. Music and revelry throughout the city.

The next day, everything calms down, which is good for the soul since, as much as you like animation, it feels good to have quieter moments. Go to Ribeira and watch the Regata dos Barcos Rabelo, organized by the Confraria do Vinho do Porto. The first regatta was organized in 1983. A magnificent way that the Confraria do Vinho do Porto found to draw attention to these unique boats and encourage their preservation as a symbol of Port Wine. And this continues to this day.

The origin of the Feast of St. John

Tradition indicates that the head of S. João do Porto, a hermit born in Porto (Friday IX, was brought by Queen Mafalda in the 12th century to the Church of São Salvador da Gandra and that part of this relic would have been taken to the Church of Nossa Senhora da Consolação, in Porto. The fact that it is celebrated on the 24th of June has to do with the date of birth of S. João Baptista. However, the birth of this municipal holiday was only in 1911, by popular consultation, with 6565 votes .

This feast has pagan origins, but the Catholic Church embraced the feast, choosing St. John the Baptist as its patron saint.

In addition to its religious nature, this popular festival has several traditions that still remain today, albeit with some changes. The use of leeks to hit people over the head has been replaced by plastic hammers.

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If you liked these suggestions, stay tuned to our blog, where we will continue to give you tips on what to do and visit in Porto, Lisbon and Évora.