From August 28 to September 7, the Bay of Cascais will once again be filled with the sound of Portuguese music, with fado star Carminho announced as the first major act confirmed for 2025.
Spanning two weekends, this free music festival – originally born out of the Our Lady of the Navigators Procession – brings a packed lineup of concerts to the main stage set above Praia dos Pescadores. More names are yet to be announced.
But that’s not all: the Festas do Mar also spotlight emerging local talent, showcased on a special stage in front of the Cidadela Fortress. Expect artisan stalls, street food, and a lively atmosphere that takes over the heart of Cascais.
Carminho and Cascais
She's one of the most acclaimed fado singers of her generation, taking her art to the four corners of the globe – but Carminho has never forgotten where her passion began. It's in her blood, after all: her mother, Teresa Siqueira, was also a fado singer.
Carminho spent countless nights falling asleep to the sound of traditional fado at Empossado, the fado house in Cascais once owned by her parents. As a child, she spent hours at Arreda, also in Cascais, listening to the legendary Carlos Zel.
Though she now lives in Lisbon, Carminho has always spoken fondly of her ties to Cascais. This year, she returns to Festas do Mar stage for a special performance that will likely feature songs from her latest studio album, Portuguesa (2023), as well as her recent EP Carminho at Electrical Audio.
Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes – How It All Began
Since 1942, Cascais has upheld a cherished tradition in honour of Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes (Our Lady of the Navigators), the protector of fishermen. A central part of the Festas do Mar celebrations, the tribute unfolds both on land and at sea.
It begins at the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção, from where a procession of flower-laden religious floats makes its way to Praia da Ribeira. There, the floats are placed onto fishing boats that sail out towards the Guia area. One of the most symbolic and moving moments of the event takes place at sea: prayers are said for fishermen who have passed away, flowers are scattered into the ocean, and the sound of boat horns fills the air in a powerful tribute.
In 2023, this beloved tradition was officially recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage, in tribute to its enduring role as a powerful expression of faith and respect for the local fishing community.
Be sure to mark your calendar for the final Sunday afternoon of the Festas do Mar (September 7) to witness this one-of-a-kind ritual. The day wraps up in true Cascais style – with the now-traditional fireworks display over the bay.
Festas do Mar, Cascais Bay. 28 Aug–7 Sept. Free entry