Festival Internacional de Teatro Cómico da Maia 2026–2027 – Comedy Theatre in Maia

Welcome to the Festival Internacional de Teatro Cómico da Maia 2026–2027 in Maia

The Festival Internacional de Teatro Cómico da Maia is Portugal’s only festival devoted exclusively to comic theatre. The 31st edition ran from 2 to 11 October 2026 at Fórum da Maia and its outdoor stages. Exact dates for 2027 have not been announced yet; the event traditionally falls in the first half of October. It is organised by the Câmara Municipal da Maia with artistic direction and production by Teatro Art'Imagem.

Highlights & Attractions at Festival Internacional de Teatro Cómico da Maia in Maia

• Since 1994, Portugal’s only festival focused solely on comic theatre – clown, mime, physical theatre, circus, café-theatre and text-based comedy.
• International line-up: the 2026 edition featured artists from Portugal, Spain, the USA, Chile, France, Ukraine, Italy, New Zealand and Brazil.
• Main venue: Fórum da Maia (Grande Auditório, Café Teatro, outdoor auditorium) plus nearby squares and the Fórum Maia metro station in the city centre.
• Many outdoor and family shows are free; indoor performances in the Grande Auditório and Café Teatro are affordably priced.
• Programming for different age groups – from shows for ages 3+ to late-evening café-theatre formats.
• Easy metro access: Fórum Maia station (Metro do Porto line C) is next to the cultural centre.
• The 31st edition in 2026 included a special tribute to Leo Bassi, a major figure in contemporary comic theatre.

Program & Schedule: What to Expect in 2026–2027

The 2026 edition spanned ten days with dozens of performances – from short free outdoor shows in the afternoon and early evening to evening slots in the Grande Auditório (usually 21:30) and Café Teatro (usually 23:00, after the 21:30 show ends). Typical formats include clown, mime, physical and visual theatre, music theatre, contemporary circus and text comedy. Day-by-day schedules are published on teatroartimagem.org and the municipal culture pages.

The 2027 line-up is not yet known. Historically the festival stays in the first half of October and keeps its mix of international and Portuguese companies. Watch Teatro Art'Imagem and the Maia cultural agenda for official announcements.

Tickets & Admission for Festival Internacional de Teatro Cómico da Maia

Tickets for 2027 are not on sale yet. For orientation, the 2026 price structure (all figures in euro) was: single show 5 euro; Festival Pass (all shows) 50 euro; Fidelity Pass (three shows) 12 euro. Many outdoor performances were free – entry by order of arrival up to capacity. Online sales via forummaia.bol.pt; festival and fidelity passes and reduced-mobility seats only at the Fórum da Maia box office in person. Box office hours: Monday–Friday 09:00–12:30 and 14:00–17:30, and one hour before each show. No late entry to the Grande Auditório after the start; no refunds.

Visitor Tips: Travel & Accommodation in Maia

• Getting there: Metro do Porto line C, station Fórum Maia – right at the venue. Easy from Porto (e.g. Trindade). By car the centre is well connected; parking is available nearby. Porto Airport (OPO) is in the region and reachable by metro and taxi.
• October weather: mild, often 15–22 °C, cooler in the evening with possible rain. Bring a light jacket and a rain poncho for outdoor shows.
• Where to stay: Maia is close to Porto – book hotels or apartments in Maia or greater Porto early if you plan several festival evenings. Fórum da Maia sits in the city centre and is walkable and metro-friendly.
• On site: Free outdoor shows fill up quickly – arrive early. Check age ratings (M/3, M/6, M/12, etc.). No entry to the Grande Auditório after the performance has started.
• Stay updated: programme and tickets via teatroartimagem.org and cm-maia.pt; online tickets at forummaia.bol.pt. For 2027, check official channels in late summer once dates and prices are released.