Public holidays in Portugal

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In Portugal, a public holiday (feriado) is a calendar date, legally recognised and defined in the Labour Code as well as the Concordat of 2004, on which most businesses and non essential services are closed. On some of these dates, public commemorative festivities are traditionally held. Public holidays in Portugal are a mixture of select religious (Roman Catholic) observances and days that have national historical or cultural significance. These dates have changed over time: currently, there are 13 mandatory holidays and one optional (Carnival) that has to be specifically designated as a day off work (tolerância de ponto) each year by government decree (for public servants) or companies (for private sector). Specific dates may alternatively be observed only at region or municipal level. Collective bargaining can specify that optional holidays are observed always and are also free for agreeing other dates that the specific company or sector agrees to observe as a holiday (e. g. bank holidays).

In 2012, the Coalition government of Pedro Passos Coelho controversially revoked four holidays – two civilian holidays (Republic Day and Restoration of Independence) and two religious ones (Corpus Christi and All Saints Day). The move was effective from 2013 onwards and was presented as a measure to increase productivity, in the context of the 2011–2014 Troika bailout to Portugal (even though that measure was never requested by the Memorandum of Understanding). Public debate and re evaluation were scheduled in 2018 for the religious holidays. The four holidays were eventually restored by the government of António Costa, in January 2016.

According to a Decree of 12 October 1910, municipalities were given the possibility of choosing a day that would represent their traditional festivals. Date English name Portuguese name Notes15 JanuaryMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Santa Cruz.20 JanuaryMunicipal HolidayDia do S. SebastiãoCelebrated in Santa Maria da Feira, Aveiro.22 JanuaryMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in São Vicente.18 FebruaryMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Valença. 19 March Saint Joseph's Day Dia de São José Celebrated in Santarém.11 AprilMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Lagoa. The date was chosen because the locality was made town by Royal Charter of 11 April 1522.23 AprilSaint George's DayDia de São Jorge. Celebrated in Velas. The date was chosen due to the fact that this locality celebrates Saint George's Day since 1460. moveableEaster Monday Segunda feira de Páscoa Celebrated in Avis, Borba, Caminha, Campo Maior, Cuba, Freixo de Espada à Cinta, Ílhavo, Mação, Mora, Penamacor, Ponte de Sor, Portel, Redondo, Castelo de Vide, Constância, Crato, Nisa and Sousel. in moveableAscension of Jesus Quinta feira da Ascensão Celebrated in Alcanena, Alenquer, Almeirim, Alter do Chão, Alvito, Anadia, Ansião, Arraiolos, Arruda dos Vinhos, Azambuja, Beja, Benavente, Cartaxo, Chamusca, Estremoz, Golegã, Loulé, Mafra, Marinha Grande, Mealhada, Melgaço, Monchique, Mortágua, Oliveira do Bairro, Quarteira, Salvaterra de Magos, Santa Comba Dão, Sobral de Monte Agraço, Torres Novas, Vidigueira and Vila Franca de Xira. Fifth Sunday after Easter (moveable)Municipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Ponta Delgada. Porto and Braga celebrate with a big festival and fireworks over the River Douro (in Porto) and down Avenida da Liberdade (in Braga). Across the country a traditional midsummer bonfire is also built and following an ancient pagan tradition, revelers try to jump over the bonfire, this in order to gain protection during the rest of the year. 29 June St. Peter's Day Dia de São Pedro Celebrated in Alfândega da Fé, Bombarral, Castro Daire, Castro Verde, Évora, Felgueiras, Macedo de Cavaleiros, Montijo, Penedono, Porto de Mós, Póvoa de Varzim, Ribeira Brava, Ribeira Grande, São Pedro do Sul, Seixal and Sintra. Just like St. Anthony's Day and St. John's Day, St. Peter's Day is celebrated with a traditional midsummer bonfire, where people jumps over and perform a tradition known as "Queimar a Alcachofra" (Burn the Artichoke) which symbolizes the "Good Which Fulfill". 4 July St. Elizabeth's Day Dia de Santa Isabel Celebrated in CoimbraThird Monday of July (moveable)Municipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Lajes das Flores.18 JulyMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Nordeste. This date was chosen because the locality was made town by Royal Charter of 18 July 1514.22 JulyMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Porto Moniz and Madalena.26 JulyMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Loures. This date was chosen because the locality was made municipal seat on 26 July 1886, replacing Olivais as the seat of the municipality.11 AugustMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Praia da Vitória. The date was chosen because it is the anniversary of the battle (11 August 1829) that prevented the royalists from reaching land during the Portuguese Civil War.16 AugustMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in São Roque do Pico. 8 September Nativity of Mary Natividade de Nossa Senhora Celebrated in Lagoa, Alcoutim, Ponta do Sol, Lamego, Mangualde, Marco de Canaveses, Marvão, Montemor o Velho, Murtosa, Nazaré, Odemira, Ourique and Sabrosa. 21 September St. Matthew's Day Dia de São Mateus Celebrated in Viseu, and ElvasMonday after the first the Sunday of September (moveable)Municipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Povoação.9 OctoberMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Machico. This is date on which the annual pilgrimage to the Lord of Miracles takes place, and the anniversary of the date in 1803 of which the most severe natural calamity that occurred on the island of Madeira since its settlement: an alluvium which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people.19 NovemberMunicipal HolidayDia do ConcelhoCelebrated in Odivelas and Trofa. This date was chosen because both localities were made municipal seats on 19 November 1998, becoming autonomous from the municipalities of Loures and Santo Tirso, respectively.25 NovemberSaint Catherine's DayDia de Santa CatarinaCelebrated in Calheta. The date was chosen because since times immemorial it is on this day that this locality celebrates the Feast of Saint Catherine.