There are many celebrations in Porto, but none compare to city’s biggest party of the year. Like any other Tripeiro (a nickname for Porto locals), we at Taste Porto eagerly await June and the St John Festival Porto.

A massive street party

The Festas Populares (Portuguese popular festivals) celebrate three Catholic saints in June.

• Lisbon honors St. Anthony;
• Afurada, a nearby fishing village, celebrates St. Peter;
• Both Porto and Braga have St. John as their patron saint.

St John Festival Porto (honoring St. John, the Baptist) is celebrated on the evening of June 23rd in an organized chaos of friendship, alcohol, and grilled sardines. This festivity marks the longest day of the year, the summer solstice (officially on June 21st). At its core, this is a pagan tradition that the church attempted to override, but with little to no success.

With an extensive program, St John starts in May and culminates on June 24th. Throughout Porto, the city decorates itself for the celebration:

• Small colorful flags hang in streets and main squares;
• Little pots of basil sit on windowsills;
• The scent of grilled sardines fills the air in front of houses and restaurants

This is the build-up to an explosion of color, sound, and aroma that reaches its peak on June 23rd. That night, a flood of happy people invades the city to the sound of thousands of plastic hammers, the scent of aromatic herbs (basil, leek, citronella), and the glow of hundreds of small hot air balloons floating into the sky.

What to Expect at St John Festival Porto

In Porto, the party begins around 5 PM and lasts until sunrise, with no fixed schedule. It’s common to see people bringing their own barbecue grills, tables, and chairs into the streets, dining alongside both friends and strangers.

The traditional menu includes:

• Charcoal-grilled sardines served on broa (a slice of cornbread);
• Caldo Verde (a soup made with potatoes, Portuguese kale, olive oil, water, and a slice of chouriço);
• Febras (grilled pork tenderloin slices);
• Grilled red and green peppers;
• And, of course, plenty of wine and beer (because it wouldn’t be a true Porto celebration without them!).

Just to be clear: over 500,000 people come out to the streets of the city to watch fireworks explode over the Douro River, dance in Aliados Avenue, devour sardines, sip wine, and celebrate until the break of dawn. It’s the biggest party in the city, and you can already feel it and smell it in the air!

The Spirit of St John Festival Porto

As the night unfolds, you’ll start noticing some unusual party traditions:

• Plastic hammers with whistles: used to (lightly!) tap people on the head;
• Garlic flowers: rub them on noses for good luck (or just for fun);
• Manjericos: wild basil plants in pots, each decorated with humorous rhymes.

Leading up to the big night, you’ll also find cascatas de São João, elaborate nativity-like displays where baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are swapped out for St. John and tiny clay figurines depicting Porto’s daily life.

The best part? You might not know anyone when the night begins, but by sunrise, you’ll have made plenty of new friends. If someone invites you to eat, dance, or drink… say yes. It’s all part of the experience

We love São João!

Every neighborhood sets up stages with live bands playing cheesy songs that, somehow, everyone knows by heart. Dancing, eating, and celebrating in one giant, joyful, and slightly chaotic street party!

As the night progresses, follow the crowd from the city center to the riverfront, and then all the way to the sea. And don’t be shocked by the late-night revelry… there’s a reason so many babies are born in March!

There aren’t enough words to capture the magic of São João night or how much it means to us. So come experience it for yourself and and let us give you a taste of Porto on our Porto Food Tours!

Yours truly,
The Taste Porto Foodie Team