Lisbon, Portugal — Events
Lisbon Book Fair
The open-air book fair in Edward VII Park (Parque Eduardo VII) has been a popular event on Lisbon’s calendar since the 1930s. It offers visitors wonderful browsing opportunities through the dusty covers of old books, to new reads and comic books.
Carnival
The Rio Carnival may be the most famous in the world but it all started here in Portugal’s capital. Even though today the Brazilian infused mega-carnival on the other side receives most of the international attention, the Lisbon Carnival, a celebration of the end of winter, is still a major event on the city’s calendar. The entrudo is the highlight of the festival, closing on the last day, and processions of floats make their way down the colorful streets while jugglers and masked celebrators join in the cacophony of music and cheering.
Estoril Open
With almost EUR530,000 in prize money, the ATP/WTA Estoril Open begins the clay court tennis season. The first two days are qualifying rounds, after which the main draw takes place. Tickets are available online or from the Pavilhão Atlântico, as well as from FNAC or El Corte Inglés stores and free transport to the stadium is available from Entrecampos, Amoreiras, Cais do Sodré and Belém.
Lisbon Village Festival
Divided into three main categories, and held at various venues around the city, the Lisbon Village Festival showcases music, arts and film for the digital generation. The three main areas are the VIDCF film competition, which awards prizes in various categories and showcases films from Poland and Japan, among other special screenings, Village Art, which features contemporary digital art exhibits, and Village Lounge, which is where the DJs and VJs entertain directors, actors, press and visitors.
Great Orchestras of the World
Featuring various internationally renowned conductors and soloists, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation presents its Grandes Orquestras Mundiais (Great Orchestras of the World) series in Lisbon’s Coliseu dos Recreios. The series includes performances by the BBC Symphony Orchestra (2 November); Mariinsky Theater Symphony Orchestra from St Petersburg (17 January); Philadelphia Orchestra (4 February); Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra (21 April); and the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra (25 April).
Lisbon Marathon
The Lisbon Marathon is attracting more and more runners each year as its reputation extends as one of the best marathons in the world, primarily because of the beautiful city in which it is run but also because of the high level of organization. Crowds gather to cheer the runners on as they prepare to start the full marathon or the half marathon. The race starts in the Praça do Comércio and does three circular routes, east, west and north, each time returning to the start point.
