In 2022, Portugal has 13 public holidays belonging to the whole country, to which a city-specific public holiday is added in honor of the city’s patron. What are these holidays and what do they represent?
– March 1, Tuesday: The day of the carnival, in Portugal this party was called “Entrudo” (from the Latin word “introitu” meaning “to enter”), that is, the beginnings of Lent. It is a festive day during which many cities organize processions, some large and over several days, such as those in Ovar, Torres Vedras, Sesimbra, Senes or Lule.
read more :
An overview of the carnival in Portugal
Carnival – past and present: the Portuguese tradition
– April 15 Good Friday: According to Catholic tradition, the Friday before Easter is a public holiday, it represents for Christians the day of the crucifixion and death of Jesus on the cross.
Find out more: Easter and its traditions in Portugal
April 17: Easter Sunday, the Christian feast day on which the resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated.
April 25: “Freedom Day”, the date of the end of Salazar’s dictatorship that lasted from 1933 to 1974.
Find out more: April 25 – Celeste Martins Cairo, Lady of the Carnation
– May 1Sunday: International Labor Day
– June 10, A Friday: “Dia Portugal”, the national day of Portugal during which “Portugal Day, Camis and Portuguese Communities” is celebrated.
– June 13, A Monday: The day we celebrate Saint Anthony, a public holiday among other cities in Lisbon as the patron saint of the city is Saint Anthony.
– June 16, Thursday: “Corpo de Deus” (Body of Christ), is a Catholic feast celebrated 60 days after Pentecost, and celebrates the presence of the Body of Christ in the Eucharist.
– June 24, A Friday: The day Saint John is celebrated, a holiday among others in Porto where Saint John is the city’s patron saint.
– June 29, A Wednesday: The day we celebrate Saint Peter, in many cities in Portugal Saint Peter has a Saint, and this day is a public holiday for them.
– August 15, A- Monday: The Feast of the Virgin, which is a religious holiday.
October 5, Wednesday: The day Portugal celebrates the founding of the Republic in 1910.
Read more: October 5 in Portugal: Republic Day
– November 1Tuesday: All Saints Day, a Catholic holiday commemorating All Saints.
December 1, Thursday: The day Portugal celebrates the restoration of independence from Spain in 1640.
– December 8, Thursday: Catholic feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.
– December 25, A Sunday: Christmas Day, the Christian holiday day that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
