The best things to do in Cascais in August

It’s one of the big new arrivals of the year in Cascais. The first edition of Cascais Atlantic Sunsets lands this month with two electronic music sessions – one at the Cascais Marina on August 2nd, and another at Forte de Santo António da Barra in Estoril on the 16th. RY X, Jungle, Marten Lou, Carlita and MXGPU are some of the headline acts, all performing DJ sets. Tickets are on sale online – currently priced at €40 – with the option to go VIP for €150.

You know the drill: between 10pm and midnight on Saturday August 2nd, NUCLIO – the Interactive Astronomy Centre – returns to Praia da Azarujinha for another stargazing session, where visitors can observe the stars, the Moon and other celestial objects through telescopes. Noite das Estrelas is free to join.

Summer in Cascais wouldn’t be complete without long nights at the traditional Craft Fair. In 2025, the event celebrates its 60th edition, running until August 24 in its usual spot – FIARTIL, which actually lends the fair its name. That means two whole months packed with artisanal goods, regional food, live music, cultural programming and plenty of entertainment. As always, hundreds of artisans and vendors from all over the country will gather in Estoril to showcase their creations. There will also be three sit-down restaurants for proper meals – but you can always count on freshly baked chouriço bread, warming caldo verde and the beloved fartura for snacking.

A leading figure in contemporary Brazilian popular music, Seu Jorge released Baile à la Baiana – his first album of original songs in a decade – this past February. Now, on August 16th, he brings it to a Portuguese audience with a live show at the Hipódromo Manuel Possolo in Cascais. Tickets range from €35 to €110.

Before you go, check out the interview the Brazilian artist gave to Time Out, where he teases what to expect from the performance.

Cascais Vela is celebrating 25 years as one of Portugal’s top regattas, bringing together seasoned sailors across the ORC, NHC, SB20 and J/70 classes. But the action doesn’t stop at sea – back on dry land, there’s a packed programme of events, with the legendary Bye Bye Summer party stealing the spotlight. It’s the perfect excuse to raise a glass and see the summer off in style.

Every month, Quinta do Pisão puts on activities and events in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park – and August is no exception. On August 30th, they’re hosting a special night walk cheekily dubbed the Night of the Bats. As the name suggests, it’s all about getting to know the bat species that call Pisão home and learning why they’re so important to the ecosystem. It’s completely free to join – all you need to do is sign up online.

June may be the biggest month for Santos Populares in Portugal’s cities, but when it comes to small-town summer revelry, August is where it’s at. In Cascais, it’s also the time for the Festas in Honour of Nossa Senhora da Assunção in Malveira da Serra, running from 8 to 15 August. This year’s line-up includes performances by José Cid, Emanuel, David Antunes & the Midnight Band, Deejay Kamala and Karetus. You can find the full programme on the Cascais council website.

Between concerts and stargazing, August is shaping up to be a month full of evening activities. Here’s another one to add to your list: the Sheraton Cascais Resort is hosting two full moon yoga classes. These sessions, organised by Serenity Spa, take place under the glow of the full moon – the first on August 9, with a second scheduled for September 7. The experience costs €20.

Cascais FoodLab doesn’t take a holiday and has lined up a very special workshop on August 9 with chef Rui Ribeiro. But this time, it’s not about cooking – it’s about learning to photograph food. The session, running from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm (€80), will cover food styling, storytelling, and shooting both stills and video, promising to whet your appetite in more ways than one.

At Quinta de Rana – the same place that hosts the Butterfly House – you can join a special walk on 30 August that invites everyone to discover the local pollinators. Bees might be the most well-known pollen carriers, but Cascais is home to a variety of other pollinators too. Find out which species they are (and uncover plenty of fascinating facts about them) in this free event, with online registration open now. Both adults and children aged 5 and up are warmly welcome.

If the Noite das Estrelas isn’t quite enough for the most starstruck among you, there’s another chance to head to the Cresmina Dune at Guincho on August 14. It’s the perfect opportunity to catch the Perseids Meteor Shower – one of the year’s most popular astronomical events – on a guided walk along the Abano, Guincho and Cresmina trails. Organised by Hike Land, the event costs €10. Children are welcome, but only from the age of 10 upwards.

After exhibitions featuring the photography of Nicholas Nixon, Ruth Orkin, and Rodney Smith, the Fundação D. Luís I brings to Cascais a painting retrospective celebrating 50 years of artistic career by Spanish artist Antonio Arroyo (Madrid, 1937–2018), regarded as one of the leading figures of 20th-century Spanish art. The works on display delve into social and political themes from the very start of his career, a period that coincided with his exile in Paris. Irony stands out in all of his works.

The CASCAIS – Fado series promises performances worthy of the famed fado houses, but always outdoors. At the courtyard of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Cascais, silence falls and the haunting songs of fado return. Running until 14th of September, from Thursday to Sunday at 7pm (with extra shows at 8.30pm for those who want to keep the night going), this is the place to be in Cascais.

Presented in partnership with Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Cascais, the series features some of the most compelling voices in contemporary fado – handpicked by the renowned fadista Cuca Roseta. Set in an intimate, charming, and traditional setting, it’s an ideal excuse for a quick getaway to Cascais if you’re not local. Then, simply settle in, order a glass of wine, and soak up the moment. Tickets cost €21.