Lisbon Awaits - Week of October 21, 2024

⭐️ Main Events

Festival Big Bang ‘24

BIG BANG MUSIC AND ADVENTURE FESTIVAL FOR KIDS Big Bang is an international project that began as a business with six partners from five different countries.

It is through this project that CCB / Fábrica das Artes has opened a venue where Portuguese artists can create new artistic approaches to music for kids and see their work recognized both in Portugal and throughout Europe.

🎥 Cinema and Film

Doclisboa - Festival Internacional de Cinema ‘24

With 180 films to be screened over ten days, Doclisboa offers a deep dive into a diverse cinema.

In this edition, reaffirming its commitment to Portuguese cinema and art as a fundamental principle, the festival has selected a series of films based on the multiplicity of perspectives that reflect the present and the memory of humanity and the planet.

The usual sections, Risks, From the Earth to the Moon, Heart Beat, and Green Years, as well as the national and international competitions, focus this year on curiosity and restlessness.

Culturgest, Rua do Arco do Cego | Metro - Campo Pequeno
Cinema São Jorge, Av. da Liberdade | Metro - Avenida
Cinemateca Portuguesa, Rua Barata Salgueiro | Metro - Avenida
Cinema Ideal, Rua do Loreto | Metro - Baixa Chiado

French Film Festival ‘24

Et voilà!

The French Film Festival arrives in Lisboa bringing to the capital some premieres of the best French film productions.

There will also be time set aside for rediscovering classics and the program will also feature the screening of premiere films and animations for all audiences.

In various venues in the city and region.

🎭 Theater, Opera and Dance

The Phantom of the Opera

Winner of more than 70 major theatre awards and watched by more than 160 million people in almost 200 cities, the world’s most famous musical makes its debut in Lisboa.

The Phantom of the Opera, which is based on the novel by Gaston Leroux, lifts the veil over the depths of the Paris Opera.

Enamored by the talent and beauty of the young soprano Christine, the Phantom tries to lure her into becoming his protégé.

But will she be able to resist the mystery of the Phantom of the Opera, or will she be drawn into his world of obsession, darkness, and betrayal?

🎉 Festivals

🎶 Music and Concerts

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Considered one of the best bands in the world, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds will be in Lisboa to present their 18th studio album, Wild God, which was released just two months ago.

In addition to the new songs, they will also play songs from their extensive repertoire.

The concert will be opened by one of the special guests, Dry Cleaning, The Murder Capital, or Black Country, New Road, who have accompanied the band throughout the tour.

Fado In Chiado

Fado is Portuguese and was born in Lisbon. It was adopted by Portuguese culture and is now a symbol of Portugal, with a strong tradition in the historic districts of Lisbon.

The hour-long Fado in Chiado show features talented artists – a singer and two musicians (Portuguese guitar and classical guitar) – performing Fado and the music that makes it the national song.

The live performances are accompanied by images of unique must-visit locations in Lisbon. It is said that Fado combines nostalgia (saudade), Portuguese pride, hope, and conformism in a musical style epitomized by Amália Rodrigues. On account of these unique characteristics, Fado has now been declared part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Fado in Chiado takes place from Monday to Saturday in the very center of Lisbon. The hour-long show is the ideal suggestion for seeing live Fado and then taking advantage of the night to discover more of the city.

Discover Fado in Chiado and you will find the soul of Lisbon

🏛️ Exhibitions

Guided Tours to B-MAD, Museu Berardo Arte Deco

B-MAD, Berardo – Museum Art Deco is located in the heart of the city of Lisbon, in the former summer residence of the Marquis of Abrantes, in Alcântara.

In this space, several works from the Berardo Collection can be admired, which illustrate the Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco movements. In an effort to preserve the building, environments were created in a period setting, giving the visitor the possibility to admire the styles in a city residential context. Contemporary musealization has brought to light the works and their illustrious creators, expertly represented in the Collection, such as Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann, Alfred Porteneuve, Jean-Michel Frank, Jacques Adnet, René Lalique, and Jules Leleu. The Portuguese presence is felt by the renowned sculptor Ernesto Canto da Maya and by the plastic artist Eloy de Jesus Pereira, together with Ruhlmann’s original drawings for the Casa de Serralves and part of the collection of silverware drawings from the Former Ourivesaria Reis e Filhos, in a tribute to Porto.

This new cultural center also features a reception and shop space connecting to a secret garden with a terrace, idealized in the Deco grammar. In this space, visitors will be able to enjoy an exclusive range of Bacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal products, surrounded by the masters, music, and aura of the “Roaring 20’s”.

🗓️ Upcoming

Web Summit Lisboa ‘24

Lisboa will host another edition of Web Summit, one of the most important technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation conferences in Europe.

Lisboa’s choice is a result of its strong tourism positioning, excellent infrastructure, and services, and also due to the growing international relevance of its startup ”ecosystem".

"We chose Lisboa because of its good infrastructure, the incredible site that will host the event, and its growing startup community. We look forward to working with the business community here in Lisboa," said Paddy Cosgrove, chief executive of Web Summit.

🍁 Weather in October: Lisbon's Autumnal Charm

Average High: 23°C / 73°F
Average Low: 15°C / 59°F
Average Rainfall: 80 millimeters / 3.1 inches

October in Lisbon brings a more pronounced shift towards autumn, offering visitors a mild and pleasant climate with a touch of crispness in the air. The city takes on a golden hue as the season changes, with average highs of 23°C (73°F) providing comfortable temperatures for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Evenings become cooler, with lows around 15°C (59°F), perfect for cozying up in Lisbon's charming cafes and restaurants.

Rainfall increases compared to September, with an average of 80mm over the month. While you might encounter more rainy days, showers are often short-lived, leaving plenty of opportunities to enjoy the city's attractions. The occasional wet day offers a perfect excuse to explore Lisbon's world-class museums or indulge in a leisurely lunch of traditional Portuguese cuisine.

Packing for October should include layers. Bring a mix of light long-sleeved tops, a warm sweater, or a light jacket for evenings, and don't forget a waterproof jacket or umbrella for those occasional showers. Comfortable, waterproof shoes are ideal for navigating Lisbon's picturesque but sometimes slippery cobblestone streets.

This month offers a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere as tourist numbers decrease. It's an excellent time to experience Lisbon like a local, with shorter queues at popular attractions and a more authentic vibe in neighborhoods like Alfama and Mouraria. The cooler weather is perfect for climbing to the city's many miradouros (viewpoints) for stunning panoramas of autumn-tinged Lisbon.

October is also a great month for food enthusiasts. As the weather cools, seasonal specialties like roasted chestnuts appear on street corners, and restaurants feature heartier dishes perfect for the season. It's an ideal time to enjoy a warming glass of port wine or a comforting bowl of caldo verde soup.

Cultural events are in full swing in October, with numerous festivals, art exhibitions, and performances taking place across the city. The Lisbon Architecture Triennale often occurs in October, attracting design enthusiasts from around the world.

Whether you're exploring the grand Jerónimos Monastery, strolling through the charming Príncipe Real neighborhood, or taking a day trip to the enchanting town of Sintra (particularly magical in autumn), October in Lisbon offers a perfect blend of mild weather, cultural richness, and the warm hospitality Portugal is known for.