In September, Lisbon becomes one huge open-air stage, with free admission. Parks, squares, gardens and markets will host a month of music and film as part of Festas na Rua (Street Festivals).
The programme, running from 4 September to 4 October, follows the changing of the seasons and this year takes its colour from one of the city’s trees, the ginkgo biloba. It will bid farewell to the summer with the vibrant yellow of the tree’s leaves and herald the arrival of autumn.
As is now tradition, the opening of Festas na Rua will take place in the idyllic setting of Vale do Silêncio, with an eclectic weekend featuring a diverse range of artists and musical styles, including the brand-new show Divas Pop and a new concert by the Gulbenkian Choir and Orchestra.
After a ten-year absence, Continente supermarket will return to Lisbon with Festa na Praça (Party in the Square). Throughout the day, the iconic Praça do Comércio will be a family meeting place, with crafts, food and music from artists spanning different genres and generations, including Kiko is Hot, NAPA and Mariza. There will also be Cinema na Praça (Cinema in the Square), this time as an evening open-air screening at Alameda D. Afonso Henriques.
Cinema will also take over the steps of Mercado do Forno do Tijolo, with a new edition of the short film festival Cinema no Estendal (Clothesline Cinema).
This year, we celebrate the return of music to Keil do Amaral Garden, under the theme Dance in Monsanto, with DJs Pantaleão and Jay Lion. Meanwhile, at Alfarrobeira Palace Garden in Benfica, we have an intimate evening in store, featuring Rui Massena, with special guest Carlão.
Alongside its city-wide reach and diversity, interculturalism is also a defining feature of Festas na Rua. The programme includes the Desfile pela Paz (Peace Parade) and Lavagem de Santo António (Washing of Saint Anthony), as well as the Mundu Nôbu Experience and Lisboa Mistura.
