Festa de São João do Porto 2022– A Brief Guide for Tourists

Festa de São João do Porto 2022– A Display of Portuguese Traditions The month of June is widely recognized in Portugal as a time to honor several saints. The Festa de São João do Porto 2022is actually a finale celebration of the five-week revelries. The five-week-long Festa de So Joo celebration comes to a magnanimous close on this day i.e., 23rd June 2022.

The city of Porto holds its annual Festa de são joão do Portoon the 23rd of June, which includes traditional music, dance, jumping over bonfires, and eating grilled sardines.

At midnight, tens of thousands of people gather to honor St. John and watch spectacular fireworks displays.

Planning to get a Visa for Portugal so that you can take part in this glorious celebration of traditions and customs? Before you do that, read this brief guide that throws light on all the exciting revelries, customs and traditions of Festa de são joão do Porto.

Attractions of Festa de São João do Porto 2022 Discover Unique Traditions of the Festival of São João do Porto There are some unique pagan rituals in this Porto event. Garlic flowers or inflatable hammers might be used as weapons in street fights (traditions of Portugal - Not actual street brawls).

Garlic flowers or inflatable hammers might be used as weapons in street fights (traditions of Portugal - Not actual street brawls). The Sun is worshipped as a divinity, and hence the fireworks which are believed to have pagan origins are showcased in all their glory. The festival actually began as a pagan practice in the 14th century of honouring the Sun and crops.

São João festival in Porto – A Month Long Festivity In Porto, the St. John's Festivities are a yearly event that attracts thousands of tourists and visitors who participate in the different events that take place across the city over the course of a month or so.

São João festival Portugal–Event CelebratingGood Health &Fertility The festival is known to celebrate fertility. That is why locals used to hang a leek on the wall of the house (for good luck), and today, people walk around with a leek flower in their hands to touch the faces of people.

The festival's use of herbs isn't going away any time soon because of its roots in Portuguese culture and traditions.

People still believe bush basils, for example, provide health, good luck, and wealth in addition to their curative benefits. That's why you will see them on sale in the streets of many Portugal cities.

Why the name Festival of St John of Porto 2022?

St. John's dates back to the 14th century when it began as a pagan festival honouring the Sun deity and a time to rejoice in the plentiful harvest. In honour of Saint John the Baptist, it was transformed into a Christian festival in the 16th century.

Despite the fact that similar celebrations like the ones we have today have been held in Porto for over six centuries, the importance of Saint John the Baptist to the city's residents only began to grow in the 19th century.

As a result of this, the city's most important holiday became a Christian feast.

Another interesting truth about this festival is that it's not commonly known outside of Portugal, despite the fact that it's one of the most lively street celebrations in the country.

Festivities go for around five weeks leading up to the busiest and longest night of the year, from June 23rd to June 24th, the night of St. John, known locally as " São João," or "St. John's Night."

Things you Shouldn’t Miss atthe São João festival in Porto Don’t Miss Peak Festivities on 23rd June During celebrations of the São João festival Portugal, the night of June 23rd serves as the crescendo of the festivities.

The city comes alive with people, color, and a general sense of happiness on this particular night. Barbecuing sardines in any section of the city is a popular custom, which includes loud music and endless entertainment.

Relish the Caldo Verde – A Traditional Delight during São João If you're in Portugal on St. John's Day, you can't go wrong with the traditional "caldo verde" (shredded green cabbage soup), lamb and pepper salad, and a creamy custard or St. John's cake to finish off the dinner!

Soft Hammers & Bonfires– A São João Staple Selling the traditional "soft squeaky plastic hammers" (used to knock passers-by on the head was introduced by university students during the "Queima das Fitas" celebrations) is another distinctive feature of the festival.

Locals light bonfires in honor of St. John and jump on top of them in order to keep the custom alive. They believe that the purifying characteristics of fire may be used for both their health and marriage.

The Mesmerizing Night Sky during São João festival Portugal Traditional St. John's balloons, constructed of multi-colored paper, are placed along all of the city's major thoroughfares to complete the street decorations.

There are also hundreds of larger balloons launched into the sky which creates an amazing view of the night sky!

Decorated Altars in the Church on Festa de São João do Porto 2022 The altars in honor of this beloved saint are also embellished in the churches. A type of tiny model representing former daily life and traditions in various regions of this city, with clay figurines of people performing various vocations and activities, can be found in the streets as the traditional 'cascatas' (waterfalls).

Other Traditions of the Festival of St John of Porto 2022 The Fireworks of São João do Porto Fireworks light up the sky over the Douro River around midnight. There is a large crowd gathered along the river's banks to take in the spectacle.

Walk along the River on Dawn To end the night, some partygoers choose to walk along the river from Ribeira to Foz do Douro, where they wait for morning.

The Rabelo Boat & Campaigns – Don’t Miss This!

To celebrate the arrival of summer, on June 24th, the world-famous Rabelo Boat Regatta will take place, including beautiful boats that normally adorn the Douro River.

In order to raise awareness about Port wine and its various brands, the Confraria do Vinho do Porto (Brotherhood of Port Wine) conducts a campaign.

While sailing upriver, sails are hoisted with names of port wine producers, and the winners are awarded in front of Casa Sandeman, to music and entertainment, at the end of a day filled with festivities and festivities.

Port wine barrels were once transported by Rabelo boats from the Upper Douro region to Vila Nova de Gaia, where they were kept before being shipped out of Porto for sale around the world. Hence, they are used nowadays to keep traditions alive!

Nudged to Travel to Portugal? Just get your Portugal Visa from UK and take part in the amazing festivities of Festa de São João do Porto.

Read More