⚡️Property Traps, Power Moves & Life in Portugal: The August Lineup

🫡 Happy Sunday, fellow expatriate explorers.

Last Sunday’s “Lite” edition was a huge success, and I have all of you to thank for it. Your feedback, votes, and messages help shape this newsletter into something useful, real, and fun.

If you haven’t yet weighed in on what you’d like to read next, the survey is still open, and I’m slowly weaving your top-voted topics into future editions. Your input = better content for everyone.

If this newsletter has helped you settle in, save time, or feel less alone in this wild Portuguese adventure, here are three small ways you can show some love that would mean the world to me:

In this issue, we’re keeping it light and useful. You’ll find the summer’s must-see festivals, a sneak peek at the property and utility guides on the way, and a fun video lesson for building up your vocab with local expressions in Portuguese.

Ready? Let’s dive in, shall we?

Palácio da Bolsa in Porto is not only a striking example of 19th-century neoclassical architecture but also a monument with a fascinating backstory. Constructed between 1842 and 1910, it was built on the ruins of a Franciscan convent destroyed by fire during the Siege of Porto in 1832. Its creation was meant to provide a grand venue for Porto’s traders, who had previously been forced to conduct business outdoors after the city’s old stock exchange closed.

A particularly interesting feature of the Palácio da Bolsa is the Salão Árabe, or Arabian Hall. This lavish room was inspired by the Alhambra in Granada and is adorned with incredible Moorish revivalist detail, including gold Arabic inscriptions covering the walls and ceiling. Today, the Salão Árabe impresses visitors and often hosts official ceremonies and receptions for visiting dignitaries and heads of state.

Want to see more or plan a visit? Head over to Marga’s article on her blog, Discover Portugal, for stunning photos and all the practical info you need.

Viagem Medieval (30 July-10 August, Santa Maria de Feira, Aveiro District): Get ready for Europe’s largest medieval festival. The town and castle of Santa Maria da Feira come alive with knights, parades, dramatic reenactments, and feasts worthy of royalty. With hundreds of costumed performers, bustling markets, and nonstop action, it’s an epic adventure for all ages packed with history, flavour, and fun!

Silves Medieval Fair (8-16 August): this fair will transform the historic town of Silves into a vibrant celebration of Moorish and Christian traditions. Expect torch-lit streets, costumed processions, live reenactments, and immersive encounters with jugglers, veiled dancers, snake charmers, and artisans at work in Berber-style camps.

Aljubarrota Medieval (14-17 August, Aljubarrota): the village of Aljubarrota near Alcobaça will come alive with one of Portugal’s most patriotic medieval festivals, commemorating the legendary 1385 battle that secured the nation’s independence. Expect a sprawling medieval fair filled with costumed performers, Arab tents, fortune tellers, live theater, and traditional crafts. There’ll be tournaments, jugglers, music, and hands-on games for all ages. The highlight is a full-scale reenactment of the Battle of Aljubarrota on August 14, drawing thousands. With an expanded food court and more vendors in 2025, this free event promises an unforgettable dive into Portuguese history and medieval spectacle.

Romaria de Nossa Senhora d’Agonia (12-20 August, Viana do Castelo): one of Portugal’s most striking and tradition-rich festivals, honoring the Virgin of Agony, especially revered by the local fishing community. The highlight is the vibrant parades of “mordomas,” women dressed in traditional Minho attire heavily adorned with ornate gold jewelry, creating a dazzling display unique in its scale and beauty. Alongside these processions, the city comes alive with flower-strewn streets, folk music, dancing, fireworks, craft and food fairs, and a touching maritime procession, all blending deep-rooted faith with the artistic flair and communal pride of northern Portugal.

Portuguese Wine Festival and National Rocha Pear Fair (13-18 August): a major annual event held in Bombarral. This year, the festival hosts a double celebration: the 40th Portuguese Wine Festival and 30th Rocha Pear Fair, bringing together 90+ exhibitors from the Lisbon and Setúbal regions. This free event highlights two local treasures (renowned regional wines and the IGP-certified Pera Rocha pear) through tastings, cooking demos, and chef-led pairings in the “Gourmet Space.” Expect a vibrant marketplace, evening concerts, and a festive atmosphere in the scenic Mata Municipal do Bombarral. It’s the perfect mix of culture, food, and community and a must for wine lovers and curious foodies alike.

Redondo Ruas Floridas (2-10 August, Redondo): Alentejo’s Paper Flower Festival. From August 2–10, 2025, the town of Redondo bursts into color as locals unveil intricate, hand-made paper flower displays in the iconic Ruas Floridas festival, held only once every two years. Each street picks a secret theme, revealed on opening day, transforming the town into a living gallery of creativity, culture, and community spirit. The tradition dates back to 1838 and is one of Alentejo’s most beloved summer celebrations. Expect a festive, walkable experience filled with vibrant art, heritage, and small-town magic—all free to enjoy.

NEOPOP Festival (7-9 August, Viana do Castelo): one of Portugal’s premier electronic music events, held annually in Viana do Castelo along the scenic coastline next to the historic Forte de Santiago da Barra. NEOPOP is famed for its focus on techno, house, and various branches of electronic dance music, attracting both internationally renowned artists and cutting-edge new talents. The festival’s lineup typically includes prominent names—this year features acts such as Charlotte de Witte, Richie Hawtin, Ben Klock, I Hate Models, Pan-Pot, Joseph Capriati, and many more. If you want to experience top-tier electronic music, artistry, and the lively spirit of Portugal’s north coast, NEOPOP Festival stands out as an unmissable event for dance music lovers.

Vodafone Paredes de Coura (13-16 August, Praia do Taboão in Paredes de Coura): one of Portugal’s most celebrated summer music festivals, held every August in the picturesque setting of Praia do Taboão, in the small town of Paredes de Coura in northern Portugal. The festival began in 1993 and quickly rose to prominence, consistently attracting music fans with its unique natural amphitheater by the river and a relaxed, communal atmosphere. Renowned for its adventurous and eclectic lineup, it typically features major international and Portuguese acts from genres like indie rock, alternative, electronic, and pop. Past editions have hosted celebrated names such as Franz Ferdinand, Vampire Weekend, AIR, and Sharon Van Etten.

Festival Bom Sucesso (7-10 August, held in the Aldeia dos Pescadores in Vau, near Óbidos): a lively summer event, this festival has quickly become a hallmark of the region, drawing thousands of people for its vibrant blend of live concerts, street food, and family-friendly activities, all with free entry. Besides music, visitors can enjoy diverse food truck selections and animated entertainment by the Lagoa de Óbidos, all contributing to a festive atmosphere designed to gather people of all ages. The event is recognized for its open, welcoming spirit and is seen as a highlight of the summer season in the Oeste region, helping to boost local tourism and community pride.

UB40 featuring Ali Campbell are bringing their reggae classics to Portugal this summer with two highly anticipated concerts. They'll perform in Lisbon at Sagres Campo Pequeno on August 13, 2025, followed by a show at Multiusos de Gondomar in Porto on August 14, 2025. Fans can expect timeless hits like “Red Red Wine,” “Kingston Town,” and “Cherry Oh Baby,” as the legendary band continues to celebrate their legacy and vibrant reggae sound for audiences old and new.

Today I want to share some of the resources I personally rely on both for solid, up-to-date information and a little inspiration when the expat grind gets real. Whether you're navigating bureaucracy, brushing up your Portuguese, or just trying to feel more connected, these podcasts, blogs, and tools have genuinely helped me and I think they might help you too.

Do you have a go-to blog, podcast, or app I should know about? Hit reply and tell me about it, I’m always keen to discover more!

Over the next few weeks, we’re diving into some highly relevant and practical articles you won’t want to miss. Here’s what’s on the way:

🧾 The third instalment in our property buying series from FRESH Portugal: Legal Pitfalls Expats Must Avoid When Buying Property in Portugal.

If you missed the first two, catch up here:

🏗️ Also coming soon: a fresh property feature from FRESH Properties on converting commercial properties into residential, a hot topic many of you have asked about. The FRESH team is spilling all the juicy details, and we’re here for it.

⚡️ And for those asking about saving money on utilities: We’ll walk you through how to switch electricity providers in Portugal—step by step—so you can be sure you’re getting the best kWh rate available. No fluff, just the facts (and a few screenshots).

👀 Stay tuned for expert advice, insider tips, and answers to your most pressing expat questions!

In this video, Leo breaks down three super common Portuguese idioms that all involve food, but aren’t really about eating. It’s a fun (and quick) lesson, perfect for building up your vocab with expressions locals use. Here’s a taste:

🥩 Estar feito ao bife – Literally "to be done to the steak," this means you're in trouble or in a tight spot. Think: Uh oh. I’m screwed.

🍐 Não vai ser pera doce – “It won’t be a sweet pear.” In other words, this isn’t going to be easy. It's what you say before something tricky, like SEF appointments or dealing with Finanças.

🍲 Canja de galinha – Chicken soup! But idiomatically, it means something is really easy, or a piece of cake.

Leo’s video includes clear examples and, most importantly, native pronunciation, so you can sound less like Google Translate and more like a local. Have fun!

Thanks for reading! 💌

Hustle on!

Angelique🧞‍♀️

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