June in Portugal is generally known as the month to celebrate different saints. Festa de São João is actually the culmination of the five-week festivities. Traditional music, dances, jumping over bonfires and eating grilled sardines—that's how the city of Porto celebrates Festa de São João that takes place every year during Midsummer, on June 23. Thousands of people go out to pay tribute to St. John and enjoy magnificent fireworks at midnight.
São João Traditions
This Porto festival includes some interesting pagan traditions. For example, people on the streets might hit each other with garlic flowers or inflatable hammers. Another peculiar tradition is the launching of paper balloons into the sky. The bonfires and fireworks are also deemed to have profane roots, paying tribute to the Sun as the deity. In fact, it began in the 14th century as a pagan tradition of worshipping the Sun and crops. So, similar festivities that we observe nowadays have taken place in Porto for over six centuries, but the figure of Saint John the Baptist became so important to the citizens only in the 19th century. Since then, the celebration has obtained Christian meaning and was established as the city's most prominent holiday.
How to Celebrate in Porto
On June 23, free concerts are held all over the city. Ten or more stages are set up for musicians of different genres. Avenida dos Aliados, Porto's central street, hosts the main stage with the most prominent Portuguese musicians. Past concerts featured artists like Marta Pereira da Costa, João Gil, Ala dos Namorados, Ana Bacalhau, Carlão, João Pedro Pais, and others.
The main highlight of the holiday is the spectacular fireworks display, launched from the bridge of Dom Luís and over the banks of the Douro River exactly at midnight on June 23. The impressive extravaganza covers with entire sky over Porto with splashes of color. Thousands of people gather on the banks of the Douro River to celebrate and cheer. Make sure you arrive to watch the fireworks at least one hour in advance because the area gets really crowded.
Rabelo Regata (June 24)
The liveliest street celebration in Portugal doesn't stop after the fireworks celebration. On the next day, people gather by the Douro River again to watch the annual Regata of Rabelo Boats, which used to transport Port wine in ancient times. The Regata begins at about 4 pm, running from Cabedelo to Dom Luiz Bridge. Big port houses like Croft, Porto Cruz, and Real Companhia Velha have their own boats racing in a regatta. The race ends at 5 pm at the Dom Luís bridge.
