2026 Festival season kicks off across Brazil and Portugal

A Black Women’s March held in São Paulo on 25 July demanded justice for Luana Barbosa and called for reparations, historic accountability and an end to police violence against Black women.

Portugal’s music calendar opened with the 15th Santo Rock festival in Fafe, featuring six rock acts and DJs, while the Festas do Mar returned to the Bay of Cascais with more than 30 free concerts, headlined by Daniela Mercury and a lineup of Portuguese and Lusophone artists.

Lisbon launched the inaugural Enóphilo Food Fest, pairing wines from Joaquim Arnaud, Infinitude and others with dishes by chef Filipe Rebocho. In the Amazon city of Cruzeiro do Sul, the 9th Festival da Farinha showcased over 150 exhibitors and national singers Mari Fernandes and Klessinha.

São Paulo’s SESC ran its 9th FestA! Festival of Learning from 24 July to 2 August, offering more than 300 free workshops, courses and performances across 41 venues. Brazil’s João Rock festival in Ribeirão Preto sold out its August 1 shows, presenting D2, Rael, Charlie Brown Jr. (acoustic) and numerous emerging acts.

Additional cultural events included the Iminente Festival in Ireland (Sept 2026), the Iminente 2026 poster release, and regional celebrations such as the Festa d’Aldeia in São Miguel do Rio Torto, Portugal, with concerts, foam parties and folk performances.