Coming to Lisbon this September? Excellent! We’re absolutely sure you’ll have a great time. Why? Because this year in September, Lisbon is hosting some of the most incredible events of the year. And the best part is that everyone will likely find a favorite in this list – we’re talking horror and queer film screenings, opera festivals, LEGO exhibitions, K-pop concerts, and more.
As such, here are the 13 best events happening in Lisbon in September 2025.
1. LUMINA – Festival of Light
When: September 12-14, 2025
Where: Cascais (near Lisbon)
How much: Free entry
Cascais transforms into Portugal’s most luminous destination for three magical nights. This spectacular festival, which is back for its 8th edition, features stunning light art installations, interactive sculptures, video mapping, and live performances that turn the historic town into an enchanting wonderland.
Considered one of the 10 best light festivals in Europe by The Guardian, LUMINA has attracted over one million visitors with works from 122 artists across 26 countries. In short, you should definitely add it to your to-do list while you’re in Portugal.
Keep in mind that it’s best to arrive early each evening as the installations begin at sunset – the free event draws massive crowds! Oh, and don’t forget to wear comfortable walking shoes to be able to explore all the illuminated streets and gardens!
2. Queer Lisboa – International Queer Film Festival
When: September 19-27, 2025
Where: Cinema São Jorge (Av. da Liberdade 175, 1250-141 Lisboa) and Cinemateca Portuguesa (R. Barata Salgueiro 39, 1269-059 Lisboa)
How much: Individual ticket prices vary (typically €5-15)
Queer Lisboa is Lisbon’s longest-running film festival and the country’s only event dedicated exclusively to LGBTQ+ cinema. Now in its 29th edition, this groundbreaking festival screens feature films, documentaries, shorts, and experimental works exploring themes of gender, identity, and queer aesthetics.
Beyond screenings, the festival hosts debates, masterclasses, exhibitions, and workshops that provide deeper insight into queer cinema and culture.
If you want to attend it, book the tickets early, especially for the most popular screenings, as venues will definitely fill quickly. Also, consider purchasing a festival pass for better value if you plan to attend multiple films. For example, one full ticket costs 4.50 EUR, or you can buy a 5-ticket pack for only 18 EUR.
3. Portas do Mar Festival
When: September 12-13, 2025
Where: Campo das Cebolas (Largo José Saramago), Santa Maria Maior waterfront
How much: Free entry
This waterfront music festival transforms Lisbon’s historic riverside into a once-in-a-lifetime event, where you can enjoy live music and breathtaking views of the Tagus River.
This is the third edition of this festival, and it features an eclectic lineup including The Gift, Mundo Segundo and Sam The Kid, Ana Lua Caiano, and Tcheka with Mário Laginha.
You can also bring a picnic blanket to enjoy the riverside setting comfortably, and don’t forget that much needed jacket. September evenings in Lisbon are quite chilly!
4. MOTELx – Lisbon International Horror Film Festival
When: September 9-15, 2025
Where: Cinema São Jorge, Av. da Liberdade 175, 1250-141 Lisboa
How much: €5-€20 (5-ticket packs available)
Psycho, Jaws, Carrie, Aliens, The Silence of the Lambs, Halloween… If you know what these are, the MOTELx festival is definitely for you! The 19th edition of this acclaimed international horror festival brings over 130 films and 80 screenings to Lisbon, establishing itself as one of the world’s leading genre festivals. In short, a must-not-miss event!
This year features a special focus on women in horror, introducing the new Noémia Delgado Award for Outstanding Women in Horror. And, wait for this – Gale Anne Hurd (who produced The Terminator, Aliens, and The Walking Dead) will be a guest of honor, alongside other big names like Marion Cotillard, Paul Rudd, and Jenny Ortega.
The festival includes Portuguese premieres, plus parties, workshops, and masterclasses. Also, don’t miss the “Warm-Up” events before the main festival begins – these outdoor screenings and concerts offer a great introduction to the horror community atmosphere.
5. Cuca Monga Festival
When: September 26-27, 2025
Where: Jardins do Museu de Lisboa – Palácio Pimenta, Campo Grande 245, 1700-091 Lisboa
How much: €30 (day ticket), €50 (general pass)
This music festival showcases the finest of contemporary Portuguese music in the enchanting gardens of the historic Palácio Pimenta. The carefully curated lineup features leading artists from Portugal’s current music scene, including Conjunto Cuca Monga, B Fachada, MÁQUINA, and Expresso Transatlântico.
The festival takes place in beautiful historic gardens, so bring a light sweater for evening performances, as September evenings are quite chilly in Lisbon.
6. SBC Summit
When: September 16-18, 2025
Where: Feira Internacional de Lisboa (R. do Bojador, 1998-010 Lisboa) and MEO Arena (Rossio dos Olivais, 1990-231 Lisboa)
How much: Various pass types available, up to 600 EUR
SBC Summit is one of the world’s largest sports betting and iGaming conferences, bringing together over 30,000 industry professionals and over 600 global companies. This massive three-day event features networking opportunities, exhibitions, and conferences that shape the future of the gaming industry.
The summit includes built-in events like the Affiliate Leaders Summit and Payment Expert Summit, plus exclusive networking parties at Lisbon’s most famous venues.
Keep in mind that this is a professional industry event requiring business registration. If you’re in the gaming/tech industry, you might be entitled for a free Expo Pass, but you have to submit your application in time.
7. Living Van Gogh
When: Every day, except Mondays
Where: Reservatório da Mãe d’Água das Amoreiras, Praça das Amoreiras 10, 1250-020 Lisboa
How much: From €8.50
Are you an art enthusiast? Actually, forget that – even if you’re not an art enthusiast, you’ll probably enjoy this event as well. This immersive art exhibition brings Van Gogh’s masterpieces to life through cutting-edge technology that will take your breath away!
You’ll be part of a canvas where Van Gogh’s paintings dance around you in incredible motion, accompanied by evocative soundscapes. In other words, you’ll feel as if you’re stepping inside his famous paintings like “Starry Night” and “Sunflowers”.
8. Impressive Monet & Brilliant Klimt
When: Every day, except Mondays
Where: Reservatório da Mãe d’Água das Amoreiras, Praça das Amoreiras 10, 1250-020 Lisboa
How much: From €8.50
If you think Van Gogh’s exhibition is your cup of tea, you should definitely buy a ticket for the Impressive Monet & Brilliant Klimt exhibition as well. It pairs two artistic giants in a sensory spectacle that transforms the atmospheric underground cistern into a living gallery. Watch as Monet’s water lilies bloom around you in rippling light while Klimt’s golden patterns shimmer across the stone walls and water surfaces. You will feel as if you’ve stepped into a dream.
The exhibition uses state-of-the-art projection technology to create a 360-degree artistic environment where you can literally walk through these iconic works.
9. 31 Women: An Exhibition by Peggy Guggenheim
When: Until September 7, 2025
Where: MAC/CCB, Praça do Império, 1449-003 Lisboa
How much: Museum admission fees (12-15 EUR or 5.50-7 EUR for residents in Portugal)
This is a groundbreaking recreation of Peggy Guggenheim’s historic 1943 exhibition “Exhibition by 31 Women” at her New York gallery, featuring works by pioneering female artists who broke barriers in the male-dominated art world.
This landmark show includes pieces by Maria Helena Vieira da Silva, Anne Harvey, Frida Kahlo, and other revolutionary women artists who shaped modern art. The exhibition celebrates the vision of Peggy Guggenheim as one of the most important collectors and promoters of women artists in the 20th century.
10. Operafest 2025
When: Until September 16, 2025
Where: Centro Cultural Olga Cadaval (Praça Dr. Francisco Sá Carneiro, 2710-720 Sintra), Cinemateca Portuguesa (R. Barata Salgueiro 39, 1269-059 Lisboa), Culturgest (R. Arco do Cego 50, 1000-300 Lisboa), El Corte Ingles (Av. António Augusto de Aguiar 31, 1069-413 Lisboa)
How much: Ticket prices vary
2025 marks the 6th edition of Operafest 2025, which includes performances that revolve around love, an overwhelming force that moves human existence.
In September, you can attend the following events:
- Liberation of Sound by Eleni Vosniadou: September 3 and 4
- Bluebeard’s Castle by Michael Powell: September 3
- Miss Julie by Alf Sjöberg: September 4
- Julie by Philippe Boesmans: September 5 and 6
- Day of Despair by Manuel de Oliveira: September 8
- La Traviata by Franco Zeffirelli: September 9
- The Magic Flute by Mozart: September 12 and 13
- Opera & Literature by Paulo Ferreira de Castro: September 15
- Opera and Forbidden Love by Rui Vieira Nery: September 16
11. LEGO Exhibition – The Largest European Collection
When: Until September 28, 2025
Where: Cordoaria Nacional, Av. da Índia, 1300-598 Lisboa
This is Europe’s largest LEGO exhibition of LEGO, with hundreds of models built with almost 10 million LEGO bricks!
The models display intricate cityscapes, famous landmarks, vehicles, and original creations built by master LEGO artists from across Europe. All of these are spread over 2000 square meters. In short, this is a dream for both children and adults who are passionate about LEGO!
Can you imagine that the tallest construction is over seven meters high and consists of approximately 750,000 bricks?
12. Music Bank at MEO Arena
When: September 27, 2025
Where: MEO Arena, Rossio dos Olivais, 1990-231 Lisboa
How much: 110 EUR and 250 EUR
The Music Bank World Tour is a massive K-pop live concert featuring top Korean artists that ignites stages all around the world. Music Bank is one of the most prestigious Korean music programs, so get ready for spectacular performances, choreographed routines, and the high-energy atmosphere that K-pop is famous for.
Keep in mind that tickets sell quickly for K-pop events, so hurry up and book them ASAP. In fact, the only remaining tickets are those priced at 110 EUR and 250 EUR.
13. LIKE Lisbon – Kizomba Festival
When: September 19-22, 2025
Where: Hotel INATEL Caparica, Av. Afonso de Albuquerque, S. João de Caparica, 2825-450 Costa da Caparica
How much: 125 EUR
Hey, dancers, are you with us? This kizomba festival returns to Lisbon with renewed energy, celebrating Angola’s sensual dance culture through workshops, social dancing, and live music!
This authentic festival features decades of experience in promoting traditional kizomba, with special emphasis on cultural authenticity and quality instruction. The highlight is a live concert by Ivan Alekxei, marking the festival’s first live band performance since the pandemic.
If you’re traveling to Lisbon specifically for this event, make sure to book accommodation early, as the festival attracts international dancers.
