Public holidays in Portugal – plan your trip to Lisbon with these in mind

What are the major holidays in Lisbon? There are public holidays spread throughout the year that mark religious, historic and special events.

Most of Lisbon’s shops and attractions stay open throughout public holidays.

However, the frequency of public transport is reduced on these days (as it is on weekends) when compared to working days.

To plan your trip to Lisbon, find out what are the upcoming public and school holidays in Portugal.

Upcoming public holidays

Public Holiday20262027
New Year’s DayThursday 1 JanuaryFriday 1 January
Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras
(Optional holiday)
Tuesday 17 FebruaryTuesday 9 February
Good FridayFriday 3 AprilFriday 26 March
Easter SundaySunday 5 AprilSunday 28 March
Freedom DaySaturday 25 AprilSunday 25 April
Labour DayFriday 1 MaySaturday 1 May
Corpus Christi
(60 days after Easter Sunday)
Thursday 4 JuneThursday 27 May
Portugal DayWednesday 10 JuneThursday 10 June
Saint Anthony’s Day
(Municipal holiday in Lisbon)
Saturday 13 JuneSunday 13 June
Saint John’s Day
(Municipal holiday in Porto)
Wednesday 24 JuneThursday 24 June
AssumptionSaturday 15 AugustSunday 15 August
Republic DayMonday 5 OctoberTuesday 5 October
All Saints DaySunday 1 NovemberMonday 1 November
Restoration of IndependenceTuesday 1 DecemberWednesday 1 December
Immaculate ConceptionTuesday 8 DecemberWednesday 8 December
Christmas DayFriday 25 DecemberSaturday 25 December

 

Christmas and New Year’s holidays

On 24 December and 31 December shops in Lisbon, including shopping centres, close at 7pm.

On Christmas Day (25 December) and New Year’s Day (1 January) most Lisbon attractions, shops and many restaurants are closed. Public transport is affected on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day with reduced service. On 26 December many shops start their winter sale.

Easter holidays

Most Lisbon attractions will open on Good Friday, but some may close on Easter Sunday.

School holidays

School term dates change slightly from year to year. Traditionally, there are three school terms, with three short mid-term breaks and a longer break over the summer:

Summer holiday: late June to early September
Christmas holidays: late December to early January
Carnival holidays: Carnival Monday, Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday
Easter holidays: two weeks before Easter Sunday

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