Event Details
Welcome to the São Paio Festival near Aveiro 2026
From 4 to 8 September 2026, the beach of Torreira on the Ria de Aveiro becomes the stage for one of Portugal's most famous traditional fairs (romarias). The Festa de São Paio da Torreira is one of the country's biggest lagoon festivals and draws tens of thousands of visitors to the Aveiro region each year, an area often nicknamed "Portugal's Venice" for its canals and colorful boats.
Highlights
- Majestic race of traditional moliceiro boats (gondola like canal boats) on 6 September
- Chinchorro and sailing boat races (Corrida de Chinchorros e Bateiras à Vela)
- Traditional parades with musical groups (Rusgas) through the streets of Torreira
- Fireworks over the sea and the lagoon (Fogo do Mar and Fogo da Ria)
- Solemn procession on the feast day of Saint São Paio
- Live concerts by well known Portuguese artists
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Program
The festival opens on 4 September with an outdoor mass and a fair dedicated to the older residents of the community (São Paio Sénior). Over the following days, the traditional moliceiro boat races take place; these colorfully painted boats, originally used to harvest seaweed on the Ria de Aveiro, compete in a lively contest. The program also includes chinchorro boat races, a competition among the Rusgas parade groups, and two spectacular fireworks displays on the nights of 6 to 7 and 7 to 8 September. The festival closes on 8 September, the actual feast day of Saint São Paio, with an outdoor mass followed by a procession and the award ceremony for the races. Live concerts by well known Portuguese artists take place on the main stage at Largo da Varina throughout the festival.
Tickets
Access to the entire festival grounds, all concerts, boat races and fireworks displays is free of charge. The event is organized by the Municipality of Murtosa and welcomes the whole family.
Visitor Tips
- Arrive early to secure a spot along the beach or the lagoon shore for the boat races and fireworks, as the waterfront fills up quickly.
- Plan the drive through the Aveiro, Murtosa and Torreira area in advance, since parking can be scarce during the festival days.
- Consider a side trip to the nearby city of Aveiro with its canals and colorful moliceiro boats before or after the festival.
- Pack light clothing for the day but bring a jacket, as evenings on the coast can turn cool.
- Bring cash for the many food and drink stalls around the festival grounds.
