Lisbon Awaits - Week of September 30, 2024

⭐️ Main Events

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.

🎥 Cinema and Film

Olhares do Mediterrâneo - Women’s Film Festival | 11th edition

In this 11th edition of the Festival, the theme is "Everyday Revolutions" because the revolution of customs and the promotion of democracy happen every day, everywhere, including in the cinema.

There are dozens of films by female filmmakers who present us with surprising and non-stereotypical characters and stories, debates, workshops, music, books, exhibitions, and more...

Special section on Palestinian Cinema.

All films are subtitled in Portuguese and English

Cine Society ‘24

The open-air cinema will be at Doca da Marinha.

Beside the Tejo river, the nights are meant to be enjoyed while watching or re-watching movies like Notting Hill, Romeo and Juliet, Mamma Mia, Bohemian Rhapsody, or (500) Days of Summer, not to mention Top Gun: Maverick and Footloose.

The menu also includes more recent films that have left their mark on cinema such as The Wolf of Wall Street, La La Land, A Star Is Born, and Barbie.

🎭 Theater, Opera and Dance

Variedades Theatre reopens its doors!

With free admission, subject to capacity, the premiere of the plays Entraria Nesta Sala and The Swimming Pool Party, by Ricardo Neves-Neves, mark a new era for the iconic performing arts venue.

Capitólio is also joining the party with the concert No Futuro Lisboa, curated by Dino D'Santiago, and Fado Night with Pedro Jóia & José Manuel Neto with special guest Aurora.

Theatre, concerts & DJs, urban art, exhibitions, street food and much more!

Quinzena de Dança de Almada – International Dance Festival

Founded in 1992, the Quinzena de Dança de Almada – International Dance Festival is now a space for Dance presentation and promotion, offering its audiences a complex of events well representative of national and international Contemporary Dance.

Beyond the performances, the Festival offers other Dance-related activities such as workshops, exhibitions, meetings, video-dance, etc. in formal or informal settings, thus opening the possibility of dialogue with the urban architecture.

Included in the Festival, the International Platform for Choreographers has opened the event to the participation of many contemporary dance companies and independent creators from all over the world, becoming an important meeting point for choreographers and dancers.

With an open spirit to new challenges, the Festival opened since 2013 a policy of promoting the professions that honored the history of Dance in Portugal.

As regards the other Festival activities, they are marked by several initiatives to promote the practice of dancing with various audiences, from the very young to the senior population.

🎉 Festivals

Amadora International Comic Festival'24

Once again, the great comic strip festival brings the best of art to Amadora, with exhibitions of the best domestic and foreign authors, lectures, novelties, signing sessions, etc.

🎶 Music and Concerts

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

Energy. Perpetual Motion. - Ending Soon

Energy. Perpetual Motion challenges the public to discover the unexpected beauty in archaeology and engineering. The exhibition establishes a dialogue between objects belonging to the National Archaeological Museum (MNA) Collection and the EDP Foundation Energy Heritage Collection.
 
In two halls of Lisbon's emblematic industrial building, the Central Tejo, more than 150 objects that evoke synergies, i.e. the exploitation of natural energy sources such as the sun, water, wind, and fire, are on display. These elements have influenced the course of human societies and are nowadays indispensable to the development of recent technological procedures based on renewable sources and on the path towards a common future, that of decarbonizing the planet.
 
This collaboration between two museum institutions, MAAT and MNA, takes place at a time when the latter is closed as part of a refurbishment process, which should be completed by 2025.

⚽️ Sports

Estoril Classics

The sixth edition of Estoril Classics will take place between 4 and 6 October 2024, bringing together all types of circuit historic racing in the same venue:

​- Formula 1
- Sports Cars
- GTs
- Touring Cars

The Autódromo do Estoril will serve as the sole venue for the Estoril Classics. It will include the outstanding worldwide championships run by Peter Auto, as well as the Iberian Historic Endurance, and the Classic GP for F1 cars - up to 1986 - which will be the event's centerpiece.

🍁 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.