The best things to do in Cascais in September

It’s one of the biggest events this September: seven years on, the Lumina festival is back in Cascais with dozens of light installations by both Portuguese and international artists. Free to attend, the event invites visitors to wander through different parts of town to discover interactive and sculptural works, video mapping installations and live performances. It takes place from September 12 to 14 across several locations – including the Bay, the Citadel, Parque Marechal Carmona, the Museum of the Sea and the Marina. And yes, there’ll be street food stalls too, perfect for a pit stop along the way.

Festas do Mar kicked off on 28 August, but the first days of September still bring big shows to the Bay. Expect performances from the likes of Richie Campbell, Carminho, D.A.M.A., Ricardo Ribeiro, Santos & Pecadores, and the Cascais Symphony Orchestra, which will close the festival with a special concert celebrating “the best of Portuguese music”. Rising stars, family-friendly programming, and plenty of food and craft stalls will also keep the party going until 7 September. Check out our full Festas do Mar guide for all the details.

September sees the eighth edition of the Latin America Market land in Cascais. From September 26 to 28, FIARTIL will be buzzing with the flavours, crafts, music, dance and visual arts of Latin America. This family-friendly festival is all about showcasing the cultural traditions of countries from Argentina to Mexico, with plenty of Brazil, Cuba, Colombia and Venezuela in the mix too.

September marks the return of Chefs on Fire, probably Portugal’s most talked-about food festival – and this year it’s turning up the heat with its most ambitious edition yet. For the first time, the event that blends food and music – where every visitor curates their own tasting menu based on the chefs they pick – takes over Parque Marechal Carmona. Expect a bigger set-up, with an exclusive fine dining zone, chill-out areas and even direct beach access. Over September 20 and 21, 18 chefs a day will be firing up the grills.

A yoga class in nature is always a good idea – is there a better place to relax, focus on the flow, and soak up the spiritual vibes? On September 28, you can do just that at Quinta do Pisão, a huge green space within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. Sign-ups are available online.

Throughout the rest of the month, Quinta do Pisão hosts workshops on everything from beeswax and composting to salads and canapés.

Since October last year, Casa Sommer has been hosting the photography exhibition “The Invention of Estoril”, which illustrates how this area of Cascais was designed to become a cosmopolitan hotspot – the chicest Portuguese tourist destination of its time. The luxury development brought together residences, the casino, shopping galleries with the famous arcades, gardens, thermal baths, the train station and the Palácio Estoril Hotel, where spies, royal families and aristocracy from around the world may have crossed paths.

On September 13, the exhibition will host a special event, starting at 11am with a cocktail and guided tour – including a performance by Teatro Experimental de Cascais – and continuing at 1pm with a period-style lunch that promises to transport guests back to Estoril in the 1940s. Spaces are limited, and the event costs €80. Reservations can be made via email at info@cascaisfoodlab.pt.

At the Cascais Rural Space Interpretation Centre, in Casal Saloio de Outeiro de Polima, you can learn to make artisanal bread using traditional techniques. Celso Santos leads this hands-on, creative workshop, working with Barbela wheat flour and sourdough, and guiding participants through kneading, shaping, natural fermentation and baking. The session is free to attend but registration is required, and it takes place on September 13.

Fancy a morning of yoga, tai chi, martial arts or chi kung training? On September 28, from 9am to 1pm, join this free event in the gardens of Casino Estoril, with expert instructors for each practice. Manhã Energética is organised by LuMan – Centre for Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, welcoming both beginners and seasoned practitioners alike.

Every month, fans of markets and second-hand treasures – from decorative objects to clothing, books to records – can enjoy the classic boot fairs across Cascais. In September, you can have a full day of shopping, as both the Mercado da Vila and Carcavelos fairs take place on the same day: September 7.

Group, outdoors, and full of energy – that’s what outdoor functional training classes are all about. They take over Parque Urbano da Abóboda on September 7, from 10.30 to 11.15, with free entry for anyone who wants to join. Sign up via email at geral@cdm-aboboda.pt