Saint John’s Festivities 2019

Every year in the evening of the 23rd of June the city of Oporto is invaded by thousands of people excited to participate in Saint John’s Festivities, the Patron Saint of the city.

This is the city’s most important festival and is considered by several guides as one of the best parties in the world.

The City organizes several activities that start a couple of weeks before. One such initiatives is a collective miniature cascade that result from the work of 300 participants, of which 200 children. It took 250 kilos of clay to shape it. Can you image it? The Cascade is on shown at Bolhão Temporary Market.

The highlight of the Saint John’s Festivities will be, of course, the night of 23 to 24. An exciting tradition among the people of Porto is to hit each other with garlic flowers or soft plastic hammers. This is a ritual with roots in pagan courtship.

Some streets get crowded with groups of people holding hands in line that pass by “armed” and prepared to “attack” everyone they encounter.

In other spots of the city there is live popular music and people dancing. Actually, concerts start the 14th of June and go on until the end of month:

Passeio alegre > Coreto
Lordelo > Largo António Calem
Massarelos > Cais das Pedras
Miragaia > Largo da Praia
Cordoaria > Largo do Amor de Perdição
Alameda das Fontainhas 

Another thing you will also not miss the smell of basil, and grilled sardines and peppers, the traditional food, in the air. Besides, Oporto has lots of restaurantes of tradicional food but also food from all over the world.

Where to Stay?

And do you want to know where to stay? Don’t look any further. At Old Stone Flats you will find the perfect combination of a cosy and beautifully furnished apartments. Check our special offers!

Besides, there’re all located at a walking distance from several monuments, parks, art galleries and other interesting spots you don’t want to miss.

Something that you also can’t miss is the spectacular fireworks that take place around midnight and lights up the sky over the D. Luís bridge and the Douro river.

Come to Porto, enjoy the party!