Long live Carnival 26
Portimão returns to “play Carnival”, reaffirming this party as one of the pillars of the popular nature and identity of the municipality. Through a set of initiatives that unite generations, from traditional dances to matinees, and from school parades to large allegorical parades, the municipality celebrates the revelry spirit, fostered by the strength of local associations, the true engine of this celebration.
This year, under the theme “Mediterranean” – the Odyssey of Homer, Greece, Sea and Egypt, the Portimão Carnival is inspired by the adoption of epic costumes and sets that intersect history with modernity. This thematic choice allows us to elevate the festive spirit and give wings to the creativity of our collectivities, which give color and soul to the party over eleven days of entertainment.
The program starts on February 13, between 10:30 am and 11:30 am, with the grand opening parade that will feature the energy of children from the municipality’s schools and the contagious rhythm of Bomboémia – Percussion Group of the University of Minho, on a route that connects Praça da República to Largo 1º de Maio.
The soul of the popular Carnival lives, above all, in the headquarters of the collectivities. Between February 7th and 17th, the associative dynamism invites revelers to the traditional dances and matinees: the Associação Cultural e Desportiva Alvorense 1º de Dezembro promotes dances at 9:00 pm on February 14th, 16th and 17th and a matinee on the 15th at 3:00 pm; Boa Esperança Atlético Clube Portimonense organizes its mask contest on the 14th at 9:30 pm and a big ball on the 16th at 9:30 pm; the Mexilhoeirense Instruction and Recreation Club celebrates with a matinee on the 14th at 5:30 pm; at the Pedra Mourinha Sports and Recreation Club, the dances take place on February 14 and 16, at 9:00 pm; the Clube União Portimonense has scheduled its ball for the 16th at 21:00; Sporting Glória ou Morte Portimonense keeps the tradition alive with dances on the 7th, 14th, 16th and 17th of February at 9:30 pm; at Sociedade Recreativa Figueirense, the matinees will take place on February 15 and 17, at 5:30 pm; and Sociedade Vencedora Portimonense organizes its dances on February 14 and 16 at 9:30 pm, closing with a matinee on the 17th at 6:00 pm.
The revelry also extends to the parishes: on February 15, at 3:00 pm, Alvor and Mexilhoeira Grande show their pride and creativity with parades of their own floats. The culmination of this popular odyssey takes place on February 17, at 3:00 pm, in the Riverside Area of Portimão – next to the Clube Naval, with the great Parade of Floats. There will be 13 vehicles decorated with the pride of the people and the participation of ten carnival groups, in a unique demonstration of unity and revelry.
Portimão invites everyone to live this party made by the people and for the people. Because, as our tradition says, “life is two days and Carnival is three”!