Festas do Mar

From 20 to 30 August, the festival closest to the Atlantic returns to Cascais Bay for eight days of popular celebration, culture and music. Combining performances by major Portuguese artists with craft stalls, food and religious moments with deep community ties, the event once again stands out as the grand finale of Cascais’ summer. Planning to catch the concerts or take part in the celebrations? We have gathered the answers to the main questions so you can organise your visit.

What are the concert times?

The concerts are split across two main stages over eight nights, from 20 to 23 August and from 27 to 30 August.

Super Bock Stage | 6pm
The stage set up at the Cidadela de Cascais is dedicated to new talent and local artists.

20 August (Thu): Ema Monteiro
21 August (Fri): David Garcez
22 August (Sat): Romeu Bairos
23 August (Sun): Patrícia Duarte
27 August (Thu): João Castilho
28 August (Fri): Mariana Lucas
29 August (Sat): Marta do Carmo
30 August (Sun): Winner of the Talenta-te competition

Cascais Stage
This is the main stage and hosts three concerts a day.

20 August (Thu)
Carolina Quintas (7pm)
Carlão (8pm)
Daniela Mercury (10pm)

21 August (Fri)
Elisa (7pm)
Marisa Liz (8pm)
Os Quatro e Meia (10pm)

22 August (Sat)
Carlota Ulrich (7pm)
Miguel Gameiro & Pólo Norte (8pm)
Diogo Piçarra (10pm)

23 August (Sun)
Afonso Cabral (7pm)
Fingertips (8pm)
Dillaz (10pm)

27 August (Thu)
Fado à Janela & Diana Vilarinho (7pm)
Luís Trigacheiro (8pm)
Em Casa d’Amália (10pm)

28 August (Fri)
Lara Afonso (7pm)
João Pedro Pais (8pm)
David Fonseca (10pm)

29 August (Sat)
Maria León (7pm)
Stewart Sukuma (8pm)
Matias Damásio (10pm)

30 August (Sun)
Murta (7pm)
DJ Kamala (8pm)
Cascais Symphony Orchestra and fireworks (10pm)

How much are the tickets?

Tickets? There are none – entry is completely free. Festas do Mar keeps up its tradition as a free-access festival for both residents and visitors. Note for local residents: holders of the Viver Cascais Card – residents, workers and students in the municipality – have access to an exclusive reserved area next to the Cascais Stage. There is also a dedicated area for residents with reduced mobility.

Where are the stages and other attractions?

The celebrations take over the seafront in Cascais’ historic centre.
Cascais Stage: Set up in Cascais Bay itself, facing the sand and the ocean.
Super Bock Stage: Located in Largo da Cidadela, with the historic fortress as its backdrop.
Food and Craft Market: Runs along the route between Jardim Visconde da Luz and Cidadela de Cascais. It is open from midday to 1am on concert days and from midday to 10pm on rest days, from 24 to 26 August.

When does the traditional procession take place?

The solemn procession in honour of Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes takes place on Sunday 30 August, from 3pm. This religious and cultural moment includes a journey by land and sea, with Cascais’ fishing boats sailing decorated between the bay and Guia. Local fishermen’s associations provide boats for worshippers and participants who want to join the maritime procession on board.

How do you get to Festas do Mar?

The best way to reach the centre of Cascais is by public transport.
Train (CP): The Cascais line connects Cais do Sodré directly to Cascais Station. The festival area in the bay is less than a five-minute walk from the terminal station.
Bus: The MobiCascais network has direct routes from several points across the municipality, ending at Cascais Bus Terminal, by Cascaisvilla.

How do you get home: are there transport options after the concerts?

Yes. CP – Comboios de Portugal trains are running as usual, but take note: the last train is at 9.30pm, as the line is interrupted. Do not worry, though – there are buses connecting to the planned stations, and they can take you to Caxias train station. In addition, local bus routes and taxi/TVDE ranks are signposted near the exits from the festival perimeter.

Are there traffic restrictions in Cascais?

Count on it. They have not yet been announced, but on those days traffic is expected to face strict restrictions and temporary road closures until the end of the day on concert nights, as well as on the afternoon of 30 August for the procession. It is strongly recommended that you avoid driving into the town centre and use peripheral car parks, such as Estação, Marechal Carmona or Cidadela.