Lisbon Awaits - Week of September 23, 2024

⭐️ Main Events

Caixa Alfama Festival ‘24

Caixa Alfama is the festival that brings Fado, the intertwining of voices, the strumming of the guitar, and the poetry sung on various stages in the streets and alleys of one of Lisboa’s most iconic neighborhoods.

With the goal of celebrating the country’s encounter with its own music, this year’s festival honors Fado singer Fernando Maurício (1933-2003), who is considered to be the greatest of his generation.

From the oldest to the most current repertoires, performers such as Carminho, António Zambujo, Camané, Marco Rodrigues, Marina Mota, Ricardo Ribeiro, and Buba Espinho will all take to the Caixa Alfama stage.

🎥 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

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

Oeiras Air Show ‘24

The Oeiras Air Show takes place on Santo Amaro de Oeiras beach, one of the most beautiful bays in Portugal!

The speed, low altitude, and proximity of the planes to the public will not leave anyone indifferent, in a 3-day program, day and night, which is expected to be unforgettable.

Pilots and aerobatics training teams from different parts of the world will surprise and amaze you with their radical maneuvers at the controls of the most modern aircraft in the sector.

The pilots will showcase the skills needed to perform high-performance maneuvers of enormous complexity, with the ability to reach speeds of over 400km/h, forces of over 10G's, and mind-blowing maneuvers only possible with the latest generation aircraft. This is a unique experience for enthusiasts and the general public, allowing close contact with airplanes that challenge the limits of the skies.

The Night Show is one of the most surprising moments of the event!
Lots of light, pyrotechnics, and adrenaline will embrace the bay of Praia de Santo Amaro and offer the public an unforgettable evening. Aircraft displaying breathtaking acrobatics, illuminated by fireworks launched from the airplane wings, will fill the sky with an inspiring narrative creating a memorable visual spectacle.

The night show provides a unique moment that will live long in the memory of all those who witness the incredible fusion of light, sound, and the demanding stunts performed by the pilots.

In addition to the main program, you'll find an exhibition space, an activities area, such as a rappel slide of over 200m, a giant climbing wall, bungee jumping, and inflatables for the younger ones, among many others.

Jazz at Monserrate ‘24

Under the slogan ‘Nature and Jazz with your feet in the grass’, the festival returns for its third edition with eight sunset concerts, four family concerts, and a free masterclass; a program full of novelties that goes beyond borders for the first time, bringing together 55 national and international artists, and which has the ambition of involving the whole community: the public, students and jazz professionals.

Sunset concerts in Monserrate: a magical atmosphere to the sound of jazz 

Always at 7 pm, when the colors of the sunset further enhance the beauty of the park and Monserrate Palace, these concerts will bring national and international musicians to the stage on the lawn, both young and established, as well as singers and instrumentalists who started out in jazz but didn't stop there.

Tickets for the sunset concerts cost €15 and are already on sale on the event's official website www.jazzemmonserrate.pt. Ticket holders will have access to free transport provided by Scotturb on the days of the festival.

🎶 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

Invisible City (Ending soon)

Temporary Exhibition
As part of the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the Museu da Carris and International Museum Day, the temporary exhibition “Invisible City” will open on May 18th, at 5 pm.

Held in collaboration with Lisbon City Council, this exhibition presents a series of black and white photographs by Américo Simas and a video by José Barbosa.

The images provide an intimate look at the daily lives of the bus and tram drivers and reveal a private and hidden city.

The focus of Américo Simas' lens is the humanity that resides in each journey and that we invite each viewer to discover.

The opening will feature a guided visit and the launch of the catalog followed by a performance by the Jazz Trio of CARRIS.

The exhibition will remain from May 19th to September 23rd, from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 5.30 pm at Museu da Carris, Rua 1º de Maio, 101-103, Lisbon.

You can read the full program and get more information at the website www.museu.carris.pt

🍂 Weather in September: Lisbon's Gentle Transition to Autumn

Average High: 27°C / 81°F

Average Low: 18°C / 64°F

Average Rainfall: 26 millimeters / 1 inch

September in Lisbon marks the beginning of a subtle shift from summer to autumn, offering visitors a delightful blend of warm days and comfortable nights. The city retains much of its summer charm, with average highs of 27°C (81°F) providing plenty of sunshine for outdoor exploration and al fresco dining. Evenings become slightly cooler, with lows around 18°C (64°F), perfect for enjoying Lisbon's lively nightlife without the intense heat of August.

Rainfall begins to increase slightly, with an average of 26mm over the month, but showers are typically brief and scattered. You can still expect plenty of clear, sunny days to enjoy Lisbon's stunning vistas, historic sites, and nearby beaches.

Light layers are ideal for September weather. Pack a mix of summer clothes and a light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings. Don't forget sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes – Lisbon's hills and cobblestone streets are best explored on foot.

This month offers a perfect balance for visitors. The crowds of peak summer start to thin, but the weather remains inviting for both city exploration and beach days. It's an excellent time to enjoy outdoor cafes, visit miradouros (viewpoints) for spectacular sunsets, or take day trips to nearby coastal towns like Cascais or Sintra.

September also marks the beginning of cultural seasons, with many museums and venues launching new exhibitions and performances. The pleasant temperatures make it ideal for wandering through charming neighborhoods like Bairro Alto or Chiado, discovering hidden gems, and savoring Portuguese cuisine at outdoor restaurants.

Whether you're riding the iconic Tram 28, exploring the grand Belém district, or enjoying a glass of vinho verde at a rooftop bar, September in Lisbon offers a perfect blend of summer's lingering warmth and autumn's gentle approach.