One of the most well-known celebrations in Portugal is the Popular Saints. These traditional festivities take place in June, throughout the whole country, and honor three saints: Santo António (St. Anthony), São Pedro (St. Peter) and São João (St. John). If you want to find out more about these popular Portuguese festivities, keep reading!

Origins

Just like the Portuguese Carnival, the Popular Saints have both a pagan and Christian background. Initially originating from the celebrations of the summer solstice that honored fertility and abundant harvests, the Catholic Church later tried to “Christianize” them by associating them to Saints. This way, the people wouldn’t be completely denied of their traditions, while still adhering to the Church’s standards.

Traditions

As with most Portuguese celebrations, food plays a big part. In the Popular Saints, sardines with cornbread and “caldo verde” (a green soup made with potatoes, kale, olive oil and chorizo) are the most iconic dishes, though some people prefer to have bifanas or roasted chorizo. Beer, wine and ginjinha are also present.
In most locations you’ll be able to see marches with typical attires, people jumping over bonfires, sea processions, and locals dancing to the sound of popular songs and pimba. A common symbol of these festivities is manjericos, plants that are usually sold with little flags and quatrains (short poems with rhymes). However, each Saint’s celebration has its own traditions and themes.
There are also many rituals associated with superstitions, mostly looking to attract love: burning artichoke at midnight and, if it blooms in the following days, it means there is true love; watering manjericos and leaving them by the moonlight to attract good luck in love; punishing the St. Anthony figure by turning it to the wall, closing it inside a drawer or putting it underwater, until a girl finds a relationship or marriage. You might be able to see people hitting each other’s heads with plastic hammers, a tradition that was originally done with leek, a symbol of fertility.

Saints’ Celebrations

Saint Anthony – June 13th

Saint Anthony had a reputation for being a matchmaker, and that is probably why Lisbon has a tradition of honoring him with weddings! The first edition of Saint Anthony’s weddings took place in 1958, and it brought 26 couples together. The tradition was interrupted with the 1974 April’s Revolution and later brought back by the Lisbon City Hall, who began to allow civil marriages as well, marking the fact that it is not just a religious festival but also a popular one.
Saint Anthony’s festivities engage visitors and locals alike, and include processions, solemn masses, bonfires, and roasted sardines and peppers. In fact, to reiterate that the Saint Anthony celebrations are not exclusive to Lisbon, note that the Festas Antoninas from Vila Nova de Famalicão, in the north of Portugal, are recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Portugal by UNESCO!

Saint John – June 24th

Saint Anthony wasn’t the only one who liked playing matchmaker – Saint John’s celebrations are also filled with connotations of fertility, such as the leek (later replaced by plastic hammers) and lemongrass! All over the city of Porto, mostly in Fontainhas, you can find smaller celebrations with concerts and roasted lamb. Another popular symbol of this festivity is the big, colorful, hot air balloons that are released at night.
At midnight you can watch the fireworks over the Douro river and, since you’re already there, stay up to watch the sunrise during what is known as the longest night of the year!

Saint Peter – June 29th

St. Peter was the patron saint of fishermen, which is why his celebration is so intimate with the sea. With Évora and Sintra as the most popular festivities, it is very common to find decorated fishing boats with colorful flowers and flags, which are then taken to maritime processions. And of course you will still have the bonfires, processions and colorful flags and balloons!

The Popular Saints in Portugal offer an experience that truly embodies the Portuguese culture, with each event being unique and full of life, whilst showcasing Portugal’s ability to blend religion and local customs. From grilled sardines to the fun tunes of pimba, the Saints are a great opportunity to witness the colors and spirit of the Portuguese people!