Festa de São João do Porto facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Festa de São João do Porto |
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The Praça da Ribeira, in Porto, during São João
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| Observed by | Porto |
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| Celebrations |
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| Date | 23 June |
| Next time | 23 June 2026 |
| Frequency | annual |
The Festa de São João do Porto, which means the Festival of St. John of Porto, is a huge street party that happens every year in the city of Porto, Portugal. It takes place on the night of June 23rd, which is known as Saint John's Eve. Thousands of people fill the city's streets to celebrate Saint John the Baptist. The festival is a fun mix of religious traditions and ancient party customs.
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A Festival Through Time
The celebration of St. John in Porto is very old, with records showing it has happened for more than 600 years. Over time, it grew to become the most important and beloved festival for the people of the city. By the 1800s, it was already the biggest party of the year in Porto.
How Porto Celebrates
The party is a full-day event, starting in the afternoon of June 23rd and often lasting until the sun comes up on June 24th. The streets are filled with music, dancing, and decorations.
Fun and Silly Traditions
One of the most famous traditions of the festival is a bit silly. People playfully hit each other on the head with soft plastic toy hammers. In the past, they used garlic flowers for this. This tradition comes from very old courtship rituals, where people would show they were interested in someone in a playful way.
Food, Music, and Dancing
The festival is a feast for the senses. All over the city, you can find street concerts and people dancing in the streets. A popular food is barbecued sardines, which are cooked on grills right on the sidewalks. People also eat a traditional green soup called Caldo verde and other meats. Jumping over bonfires is another old tradition that is still part of the fun.
Fireworks and Sky Lanterns
At midnight, everyone stops to watch a spectacular firework show over the city. The amazing display often includes music and lights. The fireworks are a way to celebrate the sun and the long days of summer. Another beautiful tradition is releasing flame-propelled paper balloons into the night sky, filling it with glowing lights.
Celebrating Until Sunrise
After the main fireworks show ends, the party doesn't stop. Many people continue celebrating until the early morning. It is common for groups to walk from the city center, like the Ribeira district, all the way to the coast at Foz do Douro. There, they wait to watch the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean. Some even take a quick swim in the sea to welcome the new day.
In June 2004, a writer for the British newspaper The Guardian called the festival "one of Europe's liveliest street festivals, yet it is relatively unknown outside the country."
See also
- Bonfires of Saint John
- Saint John's Eve
- Midsummer
