Ever since the first two cases of you-know-what were confirmed here in Portugal 606 days ago, every day has, indeed, kind of felt like Halloween, and not in a good way. For now, however, the calamity and emergency seem to be behind us. And, while the country is still on pandemic alert for another month and the governemnt might cease to be any day now, Lisbon is very much back from the dead, at least culturally speaking. Here are just a few ways you can celebrate life, Friday night, Devil’s Night, Samhain, Halloween, All Saints Day, or just this three-day-plus-one-hour weekend:
Oct 29
DOUBLE CONCERT:
Italian musicians Foggy & Oratio come to La Sharada tonight to warm some bones with some multi-instrumental, multilingual, pop-, psychedelic-, and electronic-inspired tunes. While the former is already a local legend of sorts, the latter arrives fresh from Sicily to perform in Lisbon for the very first time. Entry is 3€.
Oct 29-31
GYPSY JAZZ FESTIVAL:
Gypsy jazz, jam sessions, craft beer, and pizza are not a bad way to ring in post-lockdown Halloween. Thus, Camones Cinebar’s presents Swing Cigano na Graça, happening for the next three nights, and entry is free (but RSVP is recommended).
Oct 29-Nov 1
PAINTING EXHIBIT, CONCERT, DJ SET:
Setubal-born-and-based painter David Simões has little-to-no online presence. Nevertheless, his new solo show Imagems at Prisma Estúdio, which “explores in acrylic, philosophical, and metaphysical terms, the expression of his restlessness,” is, while not huge, quite impressive and deals with death, among other things. You can view it for free (by appointment) through Monday, or for 6€ tonight (with a concert, a DJ set, and a free beer or wine).
Oct 30
IMPROV THEATER:
This Saturday, Teatro de Improviso invites you to CONTRASTE — a two-man “intimate improvisational theater show” of “ups and downs, light and shadow, and everything and nothing,”where the performers will “explore and be inspired by the audience’s mistakes to create new stories.” Appropriate for the holidays, no? Tickets are 7,5€.
LATE-NIGHT HALLOWEEN PARTY:
Also this Devil’s Night, local musical weirdos (in a good way) Trafka Studios invite a few musicians and DJ friends to Arroz Estúdios, described by them as “a post-apocalyptic art space/venue run by post-apocalyptic warlords,” for “a carefully curated, eclectic musical program across genres.” You can dress up if you like. They’ll likely be wearing black, and definitely partying late. Entry is 5-8€.
Oct 30-31
TWO LATE-NIGHT HALLOWEEN PARTIES:
After two years without “a proper party,” one of Lisbon’s biggest go-tos for electronic goodness Brunch Eletronik Lisboa is back to invade the city center this weekend for what they are calling “the biggest Halloween party in town.” The line-up is indeed impressive, the costumes are optional but the masks are mandatory, and the 50€ tickets are going fast.
Oct 31
LATE-NIGHT HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY:
Meanwhile, “bear owned and operated” gay bar TR3S invites you to their 2021 Halloween Party. Come enjoy the “most spooky night of the year with spooky music and a special spooky shot” for those in costume, and, if your costume is voted “the spookiest,” win a two-night stay at a hotel in Caparica for two.
HALLOWEEN NIGHT WALKING TOUR:
And, finally, nothing quite says Halloween like walking into a giant forest on the outskirts of town at sundown.
Local tour kingpin Caminhando’s em noite de Halloween invites you to do just that, in “the green heart of the city,” aka Monsanto. The 11km tour starts at 20h, in the parking lot of a beautiful but creepy palace, and, if all goes well, ends there too, right before midnight. Tickets are 8€. Personal Accident Insurance is available.
Check out what other cultural treats Atlas has for you this weekend, through November, and onwards, and don’t forget to set your clocks back on Sunday.
Happy Holidays, Lisbon, and be safe out there.
