Event Details
Welcome to Feira D'Aires 2026
From 25 to 28 September 2026, the grounds surrounding the baroque Santuário de Nossa Senhora D'Aires on the edge of Viana do Alentejo once again host one of the most traditional fairs in the region. The Feira D'Aires dates back to a royal decree issued by King José I in 1751 granting local residents the right to hold a free trade fair; its religious roots go even further back, to 1748, when merchants from Évora made a vow to Nossa Senhora D'Aires during an epidemic.
Highlights
- Historic trade fair (feira franca) with around 70 exhibitors
- Cante Alentejano, recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage
- Folklore festival with dance groups from across the region
- Accordion festival
- Traditional bullfighting (Tauromaquia)
- Religious procession around the sanctuary
- Gastronomy hall with regional specialties and live music
- New for 2026: book fair, health fair and other local celebrations integrated into the program
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Program
Feira D'Aires 2026 brings together trade, music, faith and tradition over four days. Alongside the classic exhibition pavilion showcasing crafts, gastronomy and local business, there is a dedicated music pavilion and a gastronomy area where dance and Cante Alentejano performances take place. The high point of the religious celebrations is the procession around the Santuário de Nossa Senhora D'Aires. At the same time, the Romaria takes place, a pilgrimage that traditionally draws thousands of visitors. For 2026, the municipality redesigned the program, folding several previously standalone events such as the book fair, the health fair and the Festa da Malha into the fair to create a richer experience beyond the music concerts alone.
Tickets
Access to the fairground and the music performances is free. Separate admission arrangements may apply to specific special events such as the bullfighting; exact details are published each year in advance by the Viana do Alentejo municipality on its website.
Visitor Tips
- Arriving by car is the easiest option, as Viana do Alentejo is a rural town; signposted parking is available near the fairground.
- Sunday usually brings the peak of the festivities with the procession and main concerts; for a quieter visit, choose a weekday instead.
- Be sure to try regional Alentejo specialties and wines in the gastronomy hall.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as the grounds are spread out and partly unpaved.
- If interested in Cante Alentejano, ask in advance about the local choir groups' performance times.
