Public holiday in Portugal
Feast of St. John the Baptist in Portugal
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Local public holiday
Observed in Porto
Feast of St. John the Baptist is a local public holiday in the municipality of Porto, where it marks one of the city’s best-known summer celebrations. It is observed on 24 June.
About Feast of St. John the Baptist in Portugal
In Portugal, Feast of St. John the Baptist is a public holiday only in Porto municipality, not a nationwide holiday. The day is especially associated with Porto’s summer festivities and is the key date around which local celebrations are organised. For residents and visitors in Porto, it is one of the year’s most recognisable municipal holiday dates.
History
The holiday commemorates St. John the Baptist, a figure from the Christian tradition whose feast day is celebrated on 24 June. In Porto, the date became linked to the city’s own local observance and public holiday status.
Traditions
Porto’s St. John celebrations are associated with popular street customs such as using plastic hammers and waving leeks, along with fireworks and other festive street activity. Grilled sardines are commonly associated with the occasion.
How Feast of St. John the Baptist is celebrated in Portugal
In contemporary Porto, the holiday is marked by large-scale public celebrations centred on the city’s streets and riverside areas. The night of 23 June into 24 June is the main festive period, with music, fireworks and people gathering outdoors.
Interesting facts
Porto’s St. John festivities are among the city’s most distinctive annual events and are closely tied to its municipal holiday rather than a nationwide holiday calendar. The celebration is one of the best-known examples of a local public holiday in Portugal.
Dates in published calendars
| Year | Holiday date | Observed date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 24 Jun 2026 | — | Porto |
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.