Perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal is often overlooked as a music festival destination, but the festie backpacker will find a treasure trove of events across the summer. Dramatic coastlines and friendly festival weather combined with affordable prices makes this a haven for travelers seeking out unique experiences.
Sonar Lisbon 2023
March 31-April 2, 2023
Lisbon, Portugal
The legendary Sónar Festival takes to the road this year with events around the world. The famous festival will make a stop in Lisbon with a small three day fest.
Primavera Sound Porto 2023
June 7-10, 2023
Porto, Portugal
The little sibling to Barcelona's mega-festival Primavera Sound, this Portuguese edition takes place the following weekend in the charming city of Porto. The recipe remains the same, with a staggering roster of indie rock talent. The grassy hillsides of Parque Central means that every seat is a prime location to watch the show.
Featured Artists: Bad Religion, Bleachers, Blur, Built To Spill, FKA Twigs, Japanese Breakfast, Kendrick Lamar, My Morning Jacket, Pet Shop Boys, Pusha T, St. Vincent, The Comet is Coming
Photo Credit: Vito Valentinetti
Rolling Loud Portugal 2023
July 5-7, 2023
Portimao, Portugal
The largest hip-hop festival in the world is heading to Europe for a debut edition in Portugal! Expect huge international names and of the biggest parties of the summer.
Featured Artists: Glorilla, Gucci Mane, Latto, Lil Durk, Lil Uzi Vert, Travis Scott
Photo Credit: Rolling Loud
NOS Alive 2023
July 6-8, 2023
Lisbon, Portugal
NOS Alive (formerly known as Optimus Alive), is one of Portugal's leading mega-festivals, known nationally for bringing huge international stars to the country. Be prepared for sunny weather, an eclectic lineup, and to party all night in Lisbon. The motto 'beach by day, music by night', is in full effect with acts typically starting in the early evening and lasting to the early morning.
Featured Artists: Arctic Monkeys, Boys Noize, City and Colour, Girl In Red, IDLES, Jacob Collier, Lil Nas X, Lizzo, Machine Gun Kelly, Men I Trust, Puscifer, Queens of the Stone Age, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rina Sawayama, Sam Smith, Spoon, Sylvan Esso, Tash Sultana, The Black Keys
Photo Credit: Matias Altbach Photography
RFM Somnii 2023
July 7-9, 2023
Figueira da Foz, Portugal
'RFM SOMNII has almost a decade of stories and more than 600,000 visitors who already visited the biggest sunset ever, at one of the most beautiful beaches of the Portuguese coast, with access to the beach and to the sea. Inspired by this element, Portugal’s largest beach festival and one of the largest in Europe will feature the best artists in the world and the most unforgettable experiences during 72 hours of endless music and animation.'
Featured Artists: Alok, Blasterjaxx, Claptone, Example, Kshmr, Mariana Bo, Mike Williams, Oliver Heldens, Warface
Photo Credit: RFM Somnii
Super Bock Super Rock 2023
July 13-15, 2023
Lisbon, Portugal
If it's rock and it's Portugal, then it must be Super Bock Super Rock. Entertaining fans since 1994, this is one of the main music events of the summer for Portugal, with a lineup that is well worth the trip for music lovers of any genre.
Featured Artists: 070 Shake, Charlotte De Witte, Franz Ferdinand, The 1975, The Offspring, Wu-Tang Clan
Mares Vivas 2023
July 14-16, 2023
Praia do Cabedelo, Portugal
Loosely translated into 'seas alive', the annual Mares Vivas Festival is held in Vila Nova de Gaia each July. Elton John, Bush, The Smashing Pumpkins, Bill Idol, The Cult, and The Hives have all performed at Mares Vivas.
Featured Artists: Black Eyed Peas, J Balvin, The Script
Photo Credit: Mares Vivas
Boom Festival 2023
July 20-27, 2023
Idanha-A-Nova, Portugal
The closest experience that Europe has to the American Burning Man, this psychedelic festival in Portugal fosters a rabid fan base. With a venue perched on a lush meadowside lake, Boom is a biennial festival which means diehards have two years to feed their stoke.
Featured Artists: Astrix
MEO Sudoeste 2023
August 9-12, 2023
Zambujeira Do Mar, Portugal
MEO Sudoeste settles into a coastal Portuguese town for a marathon five days of music. The festival brings in a varied array of artists with a strong emphasis on electronic and pop. For festival-goers the fabled Alentejo coast is nearby for swimming and exploration.
Featured Artists: David Guetta, Farruko, Metro Boomin
Photo Credit: MEO Sudoeste
Neopop 2023
August 10-12, 2023
Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Dip your toes into the Atlantic Ocean during three days of partying at the electronic Neopop Festival. Mixing live performances and DJ sets, the Portuguese fest has become a mecca for techno fans across Europe. The tiny coastal town of Viana do Castelo where Neopop lives is filled with the character and history of the region.
Featured Artists: Charlotte De Witte, Chris Liebing, Dubfire, Honey Dijon, Paco Osuna, Richie Hawtin
Photo Credit: Neopop
Paredes De Coura 2023
August 16-19, 2023
Paredes de Coura, Portugal
At over 25 editions, Paredes de Coura Festival is one of the oldest and most popular music festivals in Portugal. Arcade Fire, Pixies, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Coldplay and Morrisey are alumni of this fest that draws in more than 100,000 people each year.
Featured Artists: Black Midi, Explosions In The Sky, Jessie Ware, Kenny Beats, Snail Mail, The Walkmen, Wilco, Yo La Tengo, Yung Lean
Photo credit Hugo Lima
EDP Vilar de Mouros 2023
August 23-26, 2023
Vilar de Mouros, Portugal
EDP Vilar de Mouros is a rock festival held in Portugal every August.
Featured Artists: Enter Shikari, James, Limp Bizkit, Pendulum, The Bloody Beetroots, The Prodigy