English
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Don't get caught out - a list of all the national public holidays of Portugal
Public Holidays
In Portugal a Public Holiday takes place on the stated day. It is not carried over to the next working day
New Year’s Day
1 January
The first day of the Gregorian year and commonly seen as a day for new starts and resolutions
Good Friday
2 April
A Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus at Calvary
Easter Sunday
4 April
Commemorating the resurrection of Jesus 3 days after his death from crucifixion
Liberation Day
25 April
Celebrating the Carnation Revolution when a military coup in Lisbon overthrew the Estado Novo regime
The name comes from the fact that almost no shots were fired during the coup and carnations were given to soldiers when the population celebrated the end of the dictarotshiop and took to the streets
Labour Day
1 May
Celebrated since 1890 and also known as May Day this public holidays focuses on – “Workers Day of International Unity and Solidarity.”
Corpus Christi
3 June
Celebrated since 1264 the feast of Corpus Christi signifies lthe real presence of the body (corpus) of Jesus Christ
National Day
10 June
Portugal Day or officially the Day of Portugal, Camões, and the Portuguese Communities is celebrated by the Portuguese worldwide and commemorates the death of Luis de Camões, a poet and national literary icon
Assumption of Mary
15 August
At the end of her life Mary was taken, both in body and soul, into heaven to live with her son Jesus Christ for eternity
Proclamation of the Republic
5 October
The 1910 revolution was the overthrow of the Portuguese Monarchy which had existed for centuries and its replacement by the First Portuguese Republic
Lagos Day
27 October
Each area of the Algave has its own special day and this is the one for Lagos
All Saints’ Day
1 November
A celebration to honor the memory of deceased relatives and all Saints, both known and unknown, who have entered Heaven
Restoration of Independence
1 December
Marks the reinstatement of sovereignty after Spanish rule of Portugal from 1580 and 1640
Immaculate Conception
8 December
To celebrate the belief that the Virgin Mary had been free of original sin since the moment she was conceived
Pope Pius IX issued an apostolic constitution in 1854 clarifying the importance of the Immaculate Conception, known as the Ineffabilis Deus
Christmas Day
25 December
Commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ
Also the day for opening the gifts left by Saint Nicholas (Santa) for all the well-behaved children!