August in Porto radiates with the same unmistakable blend of energy, tradition, and creative spirit that makes Portugal’s northern capital so captivating! As the summer sun bathes the Douro, Porto’s streets, gardens, and concert halls come alive with events that invite you to connect not just with culture, but with the warmth and soul of the city itself.
As such, here’s a closer, more personal look at the best events to attend in Porto in August 2025.
1. Vagos Metal Fest
When: July 31-August 3
Where: Quinta do Ega, Vagos, Portugal
How much: 59 EUR for day tickets, 115 EUR for a 4-day pass
The Vagos Metal Fest, although not located in Porto per se, is undoubtedly a must for metal music lovers. In August, Vagos will become the epicenter for hard rock and metal music, hosting legends, like Black Flag and Moonspell. The spirit will certainly be infectious: fans coming from across Europe, swapping band shirts, and sharing stories from past shows.
It only takes an hour to get to Vagos from Porto by car, so hurry up to book your tickets. Moreover, camping is free for all ticket holders! If you have a 4-day pass, you can enjoy camping for all four days of the festival. If you have a day ticket, you can use the camping site only on that day.
2. Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art Summer Exhibitions and Events
When: Throughout the month
Where: Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art, R. Dom João de Castro 210, 4150-417 Porto, Portugal
How much: Depends on the event
Serralves is Porto’s crown jewel of art. It’s a sanctuary where you can lose yourself in creativity and contemplation.
This August, you can delight in exhibitions from global names like Maurizio Cattelan and Zanele Muholi, which will certainly challenge your perspectives and serve as invitations for reflection.
You can also take part in interactive workshops, which make art accessible for everyone, including families with curious kids. Just make sure to keep an eye on their agenda for upcoming events.
Here’s a list of confirmed exhibitions and events for August 2025:
- Aalto, focusing on Alvar Aalto’s body of work created with Aino and Elissa, his wives
- Luis Miguel Cintra – Small Theater of the World: an exhibition that re-stages a summary of his career
- Maurizio Cattelan exhibition
- Material Evidence, an exhibition with pieces of art from all over the world focusing on the materiality of history
- A Thing from Another World, an exhibition that blurs the line between documentary and fiction
- Books of Resistance, an exhibition focusing on the importance of the permanence of books
- Floris Vanhoof: Antenna / Talking Gongs, a unique exhibition combining homemade circuits and abandoned technologies for carefully designed systems
- This is a shot. Works from the Serralves Collection, an exhibition presenting a group of works from the Serralves Collection, curated by Isabel Braga and Joana Valsassina
- Zanele Muholi, an exhibition portraying the lives and experiences of Black LGBTQIA+
- Avery Singer. run_ it_back.exeˇ, an exhibition that explores themes of art, technology, and architecture
- Mounira Al Soh – Oh Pigeon, Don’t Sleep, Don’t Sleep, an exhibition with installations, paintings, drawings, textiles, and text
- Manoel de Oliveira, an exhibition of his work
- Esculturas No Parque (permanent exhibition), an open-air exhibition of over 200 tree and shrub species
- Anthony de Mare: Liaisons – Re-Imagining Sondheim from the Piano, a concert performed by Anthony de Mare, one of America’s most innovative pianists
3. Festa de Nossa Senhora da Saúde
When: until August 17
Where: Jardim de Arca d’Água (Praça de 9 de Abril 121, 4200-422 Porto, Portugal), Largo do Campo Lindo
How much: Free
The Festa de Nossa Senhora da Saude is one of Porto’s most popular and cherished historic festivals, dating back to 1887. In short, it’s definitely a must-see if you want to experience Porto at its finest and explore the region’s rich history.
Besides religious celebrations, the agenda is filled with concerts, various activities, and even a firework show on August 15. The atmosphere is undoubtedly something else: grandparents trading stories over grilled sardines, children lighting sparklers, and everyone lining up for traditional dishes, from pastéis de nata to steaming francesinhas!
4. Casa da Música Summer Concert Series 2025
When: Throughout the month
Where: Casa da Música, Av. da Boavista 604-610 Piso 0, 4149-071 Porto, Portugal
How much: Depends on the event
Casa da Música is Portugal’s most iconic contemporary concert hall and a pulsating heart of Porto’s cultural life! In 2025, it celebrates 20 years with a bold program of countless concerts throughout the summer! The building itself is always abuzz: you’ll spot music fans of every generation, from jazz aficionados sporting vintage hats to families eager for their first orchestral show.
Here are some of the concerts you can attend in August:
- Porto Pianofest: August 1
- The Cuban Piano Cello project: August 1
- The Queen Symphony: August 2
- Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra – Afghan Youth Orchestra: August 3
- Joana Torres: August 5, 13, 19, 26
- Eiro: August 6, August 12, 20, 27
- Amicitia Chorus: August 8, 15, 22, 29
5. The World Battle 2025 (Urban Dance & Hip-Hop Festival)
When: August 25-August 31
Where: Various locations
How much: 30 EUR for day passes, 75 EUR for full passes, 105 EUR for VIP tickets
Every August, Porto and neighboring Matosinhos host The World Battle, a festival for all street dance and hip-hop culture enthusiasts. If you’ve watched all the Step Up movies ten times (at least!), this is your event!
The World Battle is one of the largest competitions in the world! Plus, the Atlantic Coast will be enriched with street markets, exhibitions, workshops, and competitive performances. In short, a dream event for dancers.
6. Vodafone Paredes de Coura Festival (August 13–16, 2025)
When: August 10-16
Where: Paredes de Coura
How much: 130 EUR for full festival tickets; 60 EUR for day tickets
Although set north of Porto in the picturesque town of Paredes de Coura, this festival feels like a pilgrimage for many of Porto’s music lovers, so it’s definitely worth a try if you have some extra days on your hands. You’ll quickly find yourself swept up in the friendly tide of buses and carpools heading for the Taboão river beach, the site of one of Europe’s most beloved alternative music festivals!
The setting is almost magical: natural amphitheaters overlooking crystal-clear waters, forested hills, and a crowd united by the universal language of music. Strangers become friends sharing sunscreen and festival snacks, and as dusk falls, you’ll find yourself dancing barefoot on the grass to the songs of Vampire Weekend, Franz Ferdinand, Lola Young, or Portugal. The Man.
You can also choose to stay at the Vodafone Paredes de Coura camping site, which opens on August 9.
