The best things to do in Cascais in October

It's the biggest sporting event of the year in Cascais, and starting from Praia da Ribeira on 19th of October, 4,600 athletes from around the world will run, swim, and cycle in this demanding and thrilling triathlon. For those looking for a lighter (but still challenging) option, there’s a 70.3 format competition, with each discipline’s distance halved. Even lighter, but equally inspiring, is simply watching. And cheering them on.

The Stylista market has become an unmissable reference for anyone who enjoys a good afternoon of shopping. The Fall Market Stylista is set for the weekend of 5th and 6th of October and will take place, as usual, at FIARTIL - Estoril Craft Fair, with an entry fee of 3€. There will be over 100 brands present, primarily from Portugal. Discover the new Autumn collections while also taking advantage of Summer sales and stock from previous collections. In addition to clothing and accessories, there will be food and drinks, as well as space for kids to play freely. Admission is free for children up to 12 years old.

Have you ever seen a Formula 1 car with six wheels? The iconic Tyrrell P34 was the only one to compete in races during the 1970s, and it will be on display at the Estoril Classics. This event, dedicated to cars that have made history in motorsport, takes place at the Autódromo do Estoril from the 4th to the 6th of October. Tickets are available for 20€ (for Friday) or 35€ (for Saturday and Sunday). A general pass costs 50€, and children up to 16 years old have free access to the paddock when accompanied by an adult.

It’s one of the key events on the annual agenda in Cascais, taking place at the Nova SBE campus in Carcavelos on 24th and 25th October. The Estoril Conferences always feature prominent personalities engaging in discussions. Among the participants are former European Commission President and ex-Prime Minister José Manuel Durão Barroso; Chief Scientist at the European Food Safety Authority, Carlos Gonçalo das Neves; journalist Mariana Van Zeller, known for her popular National Geographic series *On the Trafficking Route*; and young refugee and Ambassador for Young Immigrants and Refugees at Green Card Voices, Zaynab Ali Abdi. Access is free but requires registration, as in-person seats are limited. However, it is also possible to watch the debates live through a digital platform, which is freely accessible to the entire world.

The Estoril Folk Fest is back at Casino Estoril on 26th of October. The second edition of the event pays tribute to the Beiras region, with the headline act being singer Teresa Salgueiro, who will take the stage at the Salão Preto e Prata alongside Isabel Silvestre and the Vozes de Manhouce from Beira Alta. Tickets are available for purchase online, priced between 15€ and 30€.

From 11th to 13th October, Praia de Carcavelos will host the twentieth edition of Cascais Boogie Chicks, a bodyboarding event dedicated to female practitioners of the sport. According to the organisers, who expect to welcome over 200 participants, this is the "largest event in the world for women's wave sports." The initiative includes competitive events such as the national women's championships for Under-14 and Open categories, as well as the European women's championships in the Open and Junior categories. In addition to the competitions, there will be bodyboarding lessons for all ages and skill levels. The programme, promoted by the Boogie Chicks school with support from the local council, also features an inspiring conversation space titled "Conversations Fuelled by Women and Salt." Registrations to participate in Cascais Boogie Chicks are open until 6th October.

Five years after closing its doors, the spirit of Sabotage, the legendary club from Cais do Sodré, is being revived for a night at SMUP. Scheduled for 19th October, the event features concerts by The Parkinsons, Democrash, and Beach Wreck, alongside music from resident DJ Nuno Rabino and Carlos Costa, one of the key figures behind Sabotage, who now manages the restaurant Sociedade on the ground floor of SMUP. Tickets for this rock 'n' roll night are priced at 15€.

Until 16th of October, you can visit the exhibition at Nova SBE in Carcavelos, celebrating the 10 editions of the surf championship Capítulo Perfeito. The competition takes place right next door at Praia de Carcavelos, and only when the sea conditions are ideal, ensuring a "perfect chapter" for everyone involved. In this free exhibition, visitors can relive some of the most memorable moments from the championship's history over the past decade. The latest edition was won by Portuguese surfer Tiago Stock, and the exhibition features images of other surfers such as Rob Machado, Tiago "Saca" Pires, Rodrigo Herédia, and Anthony Walsh riding the waves.

From 2nd to 6th of October, the fifth Batucadas Meeting, organised by Nice Groove Batucada, will take place. On the 5th, starting at 3.00 PM, there will be a grand parade in Cascais Bay. Join 120 street performers to experience these infectious rhythms up close.

In the year marking the 25th anniversary of Amália Rodrigues' death, the show "Amália Sinfónico - The Great Songs of the Queen of Fado in Symphonic Version" will take place at Casino Estoril on 10th of October. The performance will feature Amália Rodrigues' own voice accompanied by over 40 musicians from the Orquestra Clássica de Lisboa. A series of videos illustrating her career will be projected on a large scale on the LED screen that forms part of the set. Tickets are priced between 40€ and 80€.

The famous Carcavelos Boot Fair has a little bit of everything, from antiques and second-hand items to clothing, decorative pieces, records, books, toys, and furniture. The next edition is scheduled for 6th of October.

If you’re not around on the 6th, or if you’re not satisfied with the Carcavelos boot fair, you can always head to the market at Mercado da Vila in the centre of Cascais. This month, it will take place on 20th of October, featuring many second-hand items to discover.

On 16th of October, Cascais Food Lab will host an experience at the Cascais Rural Space Interpretation Centre, located in the Casal Saloio of Outeiro de Polima, focused on the region's rural culture and cuisine. For 80€, participants will have the chance to taste traditional specialties that highlight seasonal fresh products and typical ingredients from this rural cuisine. Additionally, the program includes a guided tour of the centre and a wine tasting featuring wines from the Bucelas, Carcavelos, and Colares routes.