The much-anticipated Festas do Mar return to Cascais this Thursday, 28 August, running through to 7 September. With free entry, the Bay will once again fill with thousands of people ready to catch live concerts spanning different genres – all proudly sung in Portuguese. And it’s not just about the music: between Jardim Visconde da Luz and the Cascais Citadel you’ll also find craft stalls and food trucks to keep the party going. Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s edition.
Who’s playing the main stage?
This year, there’s a twist: instead of two, the main stage (Palco Cascais) will host three concerts a night – at 7pm, 8pm and 10pm. Expect big names from across the Portuguese music scene, from household legends to fresh new acts. On the final night, the Cascais Symphony Orchestra will take over with a special show celebrating “the best of Portuguese music”, followed by the festival’s signature firework display.
31 August
Sofia Hoffman (7pm)
Vizinhos (8pm)
Bárbara Bandeira (10pm)
4 September
Bianca Barros (7pm)
João Só (8pm)
Richie Campbell (10pm)
5 September
Diamantina & Tiago Correia (6.30pm)
Isabelinha (7pm)
Ricardo Ribeiro (8pm)
Carminho (10pm)
6 September
Charli Elle (7pm)
Santos & Pecadores (8pm)
D.A.M.A. (10pm)
7 September
Cascais Symphony Orchestra with the show “The Best of Portuguese Music” (10pm), followed by fireworks
31 August
Sofia Hoffman (7pm)
Vizinhos (8pm)
Bárbara Bandeira (10pm)
4 September
Bianca Barros (7pm)
João Só (8pm)
Richie Campbell (10pm)
5 September
Diamantina & Tiago Correia (Fado à Janela) (6.30pm)
Isabelinha (7pm)
Ricardo Ribeiro (8pm)
Carminho (10pm)
6 September
Charli Elle (7pm)
Santos & Pecadores (8pm)
D.A.M.A (10pm)
7 September
Rui Remix (7pm)
Ténis Bar (8pm)
Cascais Symphony Orchestra with “The Best of Portuguese Music” (10pm)
What’s happening on the Super Bock Stage?
As always, Festas do Mar is all about giving a spotlight to young local talent – and this year is no exception. The programme dedicated to emerging artists takes place on the Super Bock Stage, set against the dramatic backdrop of Cascais Citadel’s walls. Shows kick off at 6pm sharp (an hour before the main stage gets going), and this year you can catch LEFT. (28 August), Simão Correia (29 August), MANILA (30 August), Carlota Ulrich (31 August), Benedita Sarsfield (4 September), Marta Per (5 September), HERA (6 September) and the duo Diogo Oliveira & Mafalda Costa (7 September), winners of the Talenta-te competition.
And what about the kids?
Of course there’s something for them too – this year, the children’s programme jumps from the main stage in the Bay to the Jardim Visconde da Luz, with fun shows featuring beloved animated characters every Friday to Sunday at 5pm. Expect the Care Bears (29 August), Masha and the Bear (30 August), Miraculous Ladybug (31 August), Bluey (5 September), Coelho Simão (6 September) and My Little Pony (7 September).
How to get to Festas do Mar
Given the huge crowds, the organisers strongly recommend using public transport. If you’re coming from Lisbon, Oeiras or anywhere along the line, the train is your best bet – hop off at Cascais station. Timetables are available on the CP website. On concert days, there will be trains leaving Cascais towards Lisbon at 1.30am. Alternatively, several Carris Metropolitana bus routes pass through Cascais – check the schedules online.
You can also take MobiCascais buses, with timetables available on the official website. They’re free for anyone with the Viver Cascais card (available to residents, students and workers in Cascais) and will run extra services during the festival. And if you take public transport but end up a bit far from the Bay, you can use the same card to grab a shared scooter or bike and cover the last stretch for free.
Driving instead?
It’s not the easiest time to get around Cascais by car, but the town does have a number of car parks and hundreds of on-street spaces. The biggest car park is at Cascais Marina, with 866 spots – just a few minutes’ walk from the main stage. Alternatively, you can park in Carcavelos, São João do Estoril or at the Estoril Congress Centre, where it’ll be easier to find a free space, and from there hop on public transport.
The local council has even put together a handy map showing all the places you can park in Cascais during Festas do Mar.
Will there be road closures?
If you’re driving into Cascais, keep an eye out for traffic restrictions. From midnight on 27 August until 5pm on 8 September, the stretch between the Filipe Nobre de Figueiredo roundabout (at Jardim Visconde da Luz) and the João Paulo II roundabout (by the Cascais Cultural Centre) will be completely closed.
On concert days, access will only be allowed until 6pm – and only in the direction from Filipe Nobre de Figueiredo roundabout towards the Cultural Centre – via Rua Marques Leal Pancada and Rua Luís Xavier Palmeirim. This is restricted to priority vehicles, residents, deliveries, Hotel Baía guests and anyone else deemed necessary. In addition, Avenida D. Carlos I will be fully closed up to Rua Tenente Valadim to make way for food trucks. Expect disruptions on MobiCascais line M27 too – details are online.
Several streets are also reserved for festival logistics (set-up and take-down). These include Avenida Papa Francisco (from Rua Luís Xavier Palmeirim uphill and down towards the Citadel entrance, until 8 September); Largo Mestre Henrique Anjos (with temporary two-way traffic in front of the PSP station, until 9 September); Avenida D. Carlos I (after the Citadel entrance, until 8 September); and Rua do Poço Novo plus Beco do Teatro (until 7 September).
What perks come with the Viver Cascais card?
Residents, workers and students in Cascais with a Viver Cascais card can once again watch the concerts from a prime viewing area right next to the stage. Just don’t forget to pick up your wristbands (max. two per cardholder) from 4pm at the dedicated kiosk – spots are limited.
And what about food and drink?
Sorted. Every concert day, from noon until 1am, there’ll be dozens of food and craft stalls stretching from Jardim Visconde da Luz all the way to the Cascais Citadel.
Anything else?
Yes – the Procession of Our Lady of the Navigators, a tradition dating back to 1942, which actually gave rise to Festas do Mar. The procession first took place the year the Church of the Navigators was completed. Although it paused a few times over the decades, it has been held every year without interruption since 1992.
The religious floats carrying sacred images travel both by land and sea, from the Church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção to the quay at Praia da Ribeira, where they’re placed on fishing boats and sail out towards Guia. There, one of the most moving and symbolic rituals takes place: a prayer in honour of the fishermen who have passed away. Prayers are said, flowers are cast into the sea, and the boats sound their horns.
This year, it takes place on 7 September at 3pm.
Festas do Mar, Cascais. Thu–Sun, 28 Aug–7 Sep. Free
Latest from Cascais
Did you know Cascais is getting a “high-tech” wave pool and a high-performance surf centre? If your idea of a beach day leans more towards eating and drinking, good news too: Street Smash Burger has landed on Rua Amarela, and Panorama Beach Club has a new look — now fresher and even more laid-back.