POIARTES 2026 festival sets attendance records in Vila Nova de Poiares

The POIARTES 2026 festival in Vila Nova de Poiares concluded on September 13 with record-breaking attendance. The event reached a historic peak on Saturday, September 12, recording over 15,000 entries in a single day.

A major driver of this attendance was a concert by the Portuguese band Os Quatro e Meia, which drew more than 7,000 spectators. Other musical performances included David Fonseca, PROFJAM, and Sons do Minho.

This edition placed a significant emphasis on traditional handicrafts, positioning the sector prominently at the entrance of the exhibition area. The “Oficina de Artesanato – Poiartes” hosted workshops and live demonstrations in various disciplines, including pottery, weaving, basketry, and sewing.

Organizers also implemented a new site layout featuring wider corridors and a more balanced distribution of sectors to improve visitor comfort. The updated configuration included a new lounge area near the craft beer section and an increased number of exhibition stands.