Lisbon closes parks and shifts festival as extreme heat alert hits the city

The Portuguese government issued a red heat alert for the entire mainland, warning of temperatures up to 44 °C and a heightened risk of wildfires. In response, the Lisbon City Council ordered the closure of 13 forested parks, including the Monsanto Forest Park, from Friday midnight to Monday night. municipal police, fire brigades and volunteer firefighters were placed on standby, and shelters were opened for homeless residents during the heat wave.

The Lisb‑On music festival, originally scheduled for the Monsanto park, was relocated to a clearing in Eduardo VII Park and had its daily hours adjusted to run from 14:00 to 02:00. Organisers cited the IPMA meteorological warning and the city’s emergency protocol, which mandates cancellation of events under a red alert. The city also approved non‑financial support for the festival, covering fee waivers amounting to about €710,000.

Both measures aim to protect public safety and reduce fire risk while allowing cultural activities to continue in safer locations.