Top 12 Portuguese Music Festivals To See This Summer [2023]

By Vito Valentinetti / January 28, 2023

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.

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.

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.

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.

'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.'

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

EDP Vilar de Mouros is a rock festival held in Portugal every August.