Our events are the way we chose to celebrate and show our singularity; the way we promote and develop our local pride. We are focused on a set of prestigious events that make it possible for us to place Loures as a dynamic and active destination. Because of its economic and sociocultural importance, event tourism is seen as a strong ally for the touristic development of our region.
Carnaval Saloio | February
It is one of the oldest and most famous carnivals in the country. It begins on the Saturday’s evening, with the ceremony of the presentation of the Kings of the Carnival. For many days, there are balls. On Sunday and Tuesday, there is the carnival parade, with a different theme each year. The las day, Ash Wednesday, closes with the burial of the “Ocarário” and the reading of the King of Carnival of Loures’ testament.
Arinto & Sabores Saloios | June
Arinto & Sabores Saloios is the name of the wine exhibition that happens next to the Wine and Vineyard Museum, in Bucelas. Bucelas lives sensorial experiences. Commented tastings, glasses of wine, degustation of regional products, street entertainment, sushi with arinto, flavour harmonies, talks about wine, music and many other surprises await you. This arinto wine and regional flavours exhibition intends to be a meeting point for people that like to associate flavours with the best the marked region of Bucelas has to offer: patrimony, culture and nature.
Festival do Caracol Saloio | July
Gastronomic event notorious in the whole country, it has been considered one of the better and biggest events of its type. It gives the opportunity to taste original dishes, cooked with gastropods. It is important to refer that in 2009 the District of Loures entered the Guinness World Records with the “Largest Serving of Snails in the World” and that in 2013 it registered the brand Loures, Capital do Caracol.
Festas de Loures | July
The anniversary of the district, on July 26, is celebrated through the surprising cultural moments, where the music and the great concerts are an invitation to visit the city, the shows appear in various parts of the city and the tradition manifests its authenticity, bringing to Loures thousands of visitors.
Wine Sunset | September
A memorable encounter between the sunset and the producers from the Marked Regions of Wine from Bucelas, Carcavelos and Colares. Everyone, from the simplest curious to the more knowledgeable oenophile, will be able to learn tips and advice about the consumption of wine, as well as its specificities. The flavours and a refined ambient will not be missing at the end of an afternoon filled with surprises that you will not want to lose.
Feira Setecentista | September
This historical moment is based in the blessing of the bells and statues for the Mafra Convent. At that time, São João do Tojal received a navigation that went up through the Trancão River. The fluvial line that served as line of communication with Lisbon was extremely important for the building of the Mafra Convent, as it served for the transportation of heavy materials. This is what happened with the statues and bells that were transported up to this parish, where they were unloaded and blessed by the first patriarch of Lisbon, D. Tomás de Almeida, in an event with great pomp.
Festa do Vinho e das Vindimas | October
The Festa do Vinho e das Vindimas is one of the greatest events of associative character of the district of Loures, attracting every year thousands of visitors. Bucelas hosts this party, in a privileged space for promotion of the arts and traditional crafts connected to the wine culture. The Ethnographical Parade is the high point of this initiative, recreating all the process of the culture of the vineyard and the production of wine.
Festival de Gastronomia à Saloia | November
This Festival shows our culture, our ancestors, and the way gastronomy and the region festivities used to happen in Loures. Various restaurants of the district focus to give us the biggest variety of delicacy, cooked à la Saloia.
Saloia is the rural region north of Lisbon, from which Loures is part.
Mercado de Natal | December
In Loures, we live Christmas in the centre of the city with a handicraft market, a cheese, smoked meats and sweets fair, children’s entertainment, musical shows and many other activities, where Santa Claus cannot be missing.