Event Details
Welcome to the Nossa Senhora da Nazaré Festival 2026
From 4 to 13 September 2026, the historic old town of Nazaré, known as Sítio da Nazaré, becomes the heart of this fishing village's most important religious and folk celebration. For eight centuries, the community has honored Nossa Senhora da Nazaré, the patron saint of the town. The high point falls on 8 September, a municipal holiday, when the solemn mass and the great procession take place.
Highlights
- Grand religious procession in honor of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré
- Solemn mass on 8 September, the main day of the festival
- Festival de Folclore with traditional dance and singing groups
- Daily concerts on the stage at Sítio and in the old town
- Traditional fair with stalls, rides and food
- Fireworks and candlelight processions in the evening
- Exhibitions and a wider cultural program across the town
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Program
The festival opens in early September with the fair and the first cultural events in the old town. The religious and emotional centerpiece is 8 September, with the solemn mass at the sanctuary in Sítio followed by the procession through the streets of Nazaré. On the following days, the Festival de Folclore with local dance groups and numerous evening concerts on the stage along the seafront keep the atmosphere lively. Until the closing on 13 September, religious ceremonies, music, folk dance and the fair continue side by side. Most events start around 6:00 PM and run into the late evening.
Tickets
Entry to all religious ceremonies, main stage concerts, the Festival de Folclore and the fairground is free. This is a folk and religious festival organized by the municipality and the Confraria de Nossa Senhora da Nazaré, and it carries no admission charge.
Visitor Tips
- Arrive early at Sítio on 8 September, the main feast day, since the procession draws large crowds.
- Book accommodation in Nazaré well in advance, as the town fills up during the festival.
- Wear comfortable shoes, since the narrow streets of the old town are best explored on foot.
- Sítio can be reached from the beach by the Nazaré funicular (Ascensor da Nazaré).
- The view from the Farol da Nazaré lighthouse is worth the visit even outside festival days.
