Portugal’s food festival scene in 2026 promises an unforgettable year of authentic Portuguese cuisine, regional specialties, seafood feasts, cheese tastings, wine festivals, chocolate extravaganzas, and Michelin-inspired dishes. From the smoky sausages of Trás-os-Montes to the fresh catches of the Algarve and the fortified wines of Madeira, these top food festivals in Portugal highlight the country’s rich gastronomic heritage, sustainable traditions, and exciting (and delicious) food culture. With our handy guide, discover why Portugal’s gastronomy events are among Europe’s most exciting with local producers, live music, and unbeatable flavors in stunning locations across the mainland and islands.
Festival do Butelo e das Casulas – Bragança, February 13-17, 2026
The rugged Trás-os-Montes region about two hours east of Porto is the setting for the Festival do Butelo e das Casulas in Bragança, a hearty celebration of northern Portugal’s winter comforts. The festival showcases the iconic butelo, a smoked sausage packed with meat, bones, and cartilage, paired with casulas, the rehydrated husks of local beans. This five-day extravaganza draws crowds for tastings of regional delicacies, lively parades featuring masked “caretos” performers, and traditions that honor ancient pagan roots, all set against the backdrop of Bragança’s medieval castle and crisp mountain air. It is perfect for food lovers looking for an authentic experience in one of Portugal’s most underrated gastronomic hubs.
Feira do Queijo de Celorico da Beira – Celorico da Beira, February 20-22, 2026
In the heart of the Serra da Estrela Mountains, Celorico da Beira hosts the Feira do Queijo, a cheese lover’s paradise roughly two hours northeast of Coimbra, where the star is the creamy, pungent Serra da Estrela PDO cheese made from sheep’s milk using traditional methods passed down through generations. This fair gathers numerous local producers for tastings, sales, and demonstrations of the region’s pastoral traditions right in the middle of a stunning winter landscape. It is ideal for those eager to pair artisanal cheeses with crusty bread and local wines while learning about sustainable farming practices that make this one of Portugal’s most beloved events.
Feira do Queijo do Alentejo – Serpa, February 20-22, 2026
Down in the sun-drenched plains of Alentejo, about three hours southeast of Lisbon, Serpa’s Feira do Queijo do Alentejo showcases the area’s renowned sheep and goat cheeses, crafted with time-honored techniques that yield buttery, tangy varieties perfect for pairing with robust regional wines and crusty bread. This fair brings together top producers for samplings, workshops, and cultural displays that emphasize Alentejo’s slow-food ethos. It is a must-visit for those hoping to explore southern Portugal’s gastronomic scene.
Simplesmente Vinho – Porto, February 27 – March 1, 2026
Held in the riverside charm of Porto, Simplesmente Vinho is an artisan wine fair celebrating vintages that honor Portugal’s diverse terroirs just a short stroll from the Douro River. With tastings from passionate producers, a lively food court featuring local dishes, live music, and insightful talks on sustainable winemaking, this event attracts oenophiles nationwide and presents a fresh take on Portugal’s wine heritage in a city famed for its port houses and lively food scene. It is ideal for discovering the next big thing in natural wines.
Festival Internacional de Chocolate de Óbidos – Óbidos, March 20 – April 5, 2026
Transforming the fairy-tale medieval village of Óbidos, one hour north of Lisbon, into a chocolate wonderland, the Festival Internacional de Chocolate de Óbidos features live sculpting by international chefs, tastings of innovative confections, and workshops exploring cocoa’s journey from bean to bar, all inside the UNESCO Creative City of Literature’s walls. Drawing crowds for its whimsical exhibits, science demos on chocolate chemistry, and family-friendly activities like chocolate hunts, this sweet tradition highlights Portugal’s love affair with desserts while showing off its cobblestone streets and ancient castles.
Feira do Porco Alentejano – Ourique, March 20-22, 2026
In the rural heart of Alentejo’s Ourique, about two hours south of Évora, the Feira do Porco Alentejano celebrates the prized black Iberian pig with fairs, concerts, and tastings of premium hams, sausages, and traditional dishes that underscore the region’s sustainable acorn-fed farming practices. This event puts Portugal’s pork culture on display and is great for travelers looking for an authentic taste of southern Portugal’s agrarian soul amid rolling hills and olive groves.
ÉvoraWine – Évora, May 23-24, 2026
Set in Évora’s historic Praça do Giraldo square, a UNESCO World Heritage site two hours east of Lisbon, ÉvoraWine gathers Alentejo producers for unlimited tastings, cooking demos, snacks, and live music. This lively festival offers tickets for endless samples, which makes it a prime spot for wine enthusiasts to explore Portugal’s largest wine-producing area while wandering Évora’s temple ruins and Gothic cathedrals.
Feira do Alvarinho – Monção, July 2-5, 2026
Up in Portugal’s far north, Monção hosts the country’s largest Alvarinho wine fair, about 90 minutes north of Porto, featuring nearly 40 producers pouring crisp Vinho Verde varietals along with chef collaborations, street food, and concerts. This event for white wine fans celebrates the Minho region’s fresh, effervescent wines in a festive atmosphere by the Minho River and bridges Portuguese and Spanish borders with a nod to the grape’s Galician origins.
Festival da Sardinha – Praia do Pedrógão, July 2-5 and 9-12, 2026
On the sandy shores of Praia do Pedrógão in Leiria, halfway between Lisbon and Porto, the Festival da Sardinha turns the beach into a grill-fest where tons of fresh sardines are consumed Portugal’s love for simple, flavorful seafood is on full display.
Festival do Marisco – Olhão, August 2026 (usually mid-August)
In the Algarve’s fishing town of Olhão, just 15 minutes east of Faro, the Festival do Marisco celebrates Ria Formosa’s seafood bounty with fresh shrimp, oysters, clams, and signature dishes like cataplana and arroz de marisco accompanied by live concerts and family-friendly vibes. Over 30 years strong, this event highlights sustainable harvesting from the lagoon’s protected waters and offers a beautiful setting on the waterfront that epitomizes southern Portugal’s culinary scene.
Madeira Wine Fest – Funchal, August 27 – September 13, 2026
On the subtropical island of Madeira, Funchal’s Madeira Wine Fest offers tastings and island-wide events exploring the famous fortified wines that have graced tables since the Age of Discovery. Combining food pairings, cultural shows, and vineyard tours amid volcanic landscapes, this festival educates on Madeira’s unique aging processes while inviting visitors to savor sweets that embody the archipelago’s blend of European and Atlantic flavors.
Alma do Vinho – Alenquer, September 2026 (typically the second weekend in September)
Just 35 minutes north of Lisbon in the DOC wine region of Alenquer, Alma do Vinho offers unlimited tastings of local wines, food stalls, music, and cultural exhibits for a reasonably priced entry fee. It draws thousands of visitors to one of Europe’s best-value festivals. This four-day gem celebrates community with family-friendly activities that delve into Portugal’s winemaking soul set in a picturesque town of rolling vineyards. It is perfect for oenophiles looking for an under-the-radar gem.
Chefs on Fire – Cascais, September 19-20, 2026
In the coastal elegance of Cascais’ Parque Marechal Carmona, 40 minutes west of Lisbon, Chefs on Fire brings together Michelin-starred talent cooking exclusively over open flames with ever-changing gourmet menus, live bands, and a park ambiance that redefines Portugal’s fine dining scene. Chefs on Fire is often considered the country’s top food festival and combines high-end cuisine with accessible fun while showcasing innovative techniques rooted in ancient fire-cooking methods amid ocean breezes.
Festival Nacional de Gastronomia – Santarém, October 22 – November 1, 2026
One hour north of Lisbon in Santarém, the Festival Nacional de Gastronomia stretches over 10 days with regional dishes, live cooking shows, wines, artisan markets, music, and cultural performances with each day dedicated to a different Portuguese region. This massive draw highlights the nation’s diverse culinary map from Azorean seafood to Trás-os-Montes meats while educating attendees on UNESCO-listed gastronomy and fostering a festive atmosphere in the historic Ribatejo heartland.
Mostra Internacional de Doces & Licores Conventuais – Alcobaça, November 19-22, 2026
Within the UNESCO-listed Monastery of Alcobaça, 90 minutes north of Lisbon, the Mostra Internacional de Doces and Licores Conventuais gathers exhibitors for tastings of monastic-inspired sweets and liqueurs rooted in centuries-old recipes from Portugal’s religious orders. This festival offers egg-yolk pastries and herbal spirits in a Gothic masterpiece setting, which is ideal for explorers delving into the spiritual side of Portuguese confectionery.
As we get further into 2026, Portugal’s food festivals continue to celebrate the country’s incredible diversity. These events not only show off authentic Portuguese gastronomy, but they also connect visitors with local traditions, sustainable practices, and welcoming communities. This year 2026 offers endless reasons to book your trip. Because in Portugal, every meal is a celebration. Bom apetite!
