Lisbon might feel a little emptier than usual. Or at least the ratio of Portuguese-to-tourists has shifted substantially since so many Lisboetas have jumped in cars and on trains, planes, and autocarros to make their way out of the city. But, fear not, there’s still plenty to do in Lisbon in the hot and sticky month of August — and here is the best of it:
Art
The excellent Albrecht Dürer: St. Jerome Drawings from the Albertina Museum exhibition is coming to an end this month, which makes you lucky people the last ones able to see it. The show consists of “Saint Jerome in His Study” alongside four preliminary drawings, which are usually housed in Vienna. You only have until August 11!
Movies
August sees the bulk of CCB’s Summer Open Air Series, which screens brilliant movies outdoors. The shows take place at 21h30 every Saturday, with Tudo é Projeto, The Florida Project, My Father the Genius, Bambi, Paula Rego: Secrets and Stories, and The Wonders all screening this month. Bambi? Hell yer.
And, not to be outdone by CCB, Cinema no Verão is screening an open-air movie every Saturday in Jardim do Torel. Their lineup is like the classics of the classics, with the chance for you and your fam to catch Space Jam, Spaceballs, Jurassic Park, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on the big screen.
Music
Ribeira das Naus plays host to Somersby Out Jazz this August, where you can catch free, live music every Sunday. So come enjoy some jazz, soul, funk, hip-hop, rock, DJs, drinks, dancing, friends, and fresh air in one of Lisbon’s most beautiful gardens.
Jazz em Agosto is an 11-day jazz festival from the Gulbenkian. Taking place in Praça da Espanha, this year’s theme is “Resistance” and there are multiple shows most days from the 1st to the 11th of August. See the full lineup and details here.
Festivals (Outside of Lisbon)
For those of you who have time and resources to venture outside of Lisbon, August is one of the best months for festivals in Portugal. In fact, they’re often stacked one on top of the other so you have to make some pretty severe choices about where you want to go and who you want to see.
Meo Sudoeste 2019 runs from August 6 to 10 in Zambujeira do Mar, which is about a 2.5-hour drive from Lisbon. You can stay there and catch acts like Post Malone, 6lack, Jimmy P, Steve Aoki, Anitta, Years & Years, and more.
At almost exactly the same time, NEOPOP 2019 is taking place in Viana do Castelo. This electronic-music phenomenon runs from August 7 to 10 and has some huge names such as Underworld, Richie Hawtin, John Digweed, Jeff Mills, Laurent Garnier, 2Jack4U, and so many more.
Vodafone Paredes de Coura returns to Viana do Castelo for their 2019 edition from August 14 to 17. Acts include the National, New Order, Patti Smith, and more. Also, for those planning on driving around Portugal this summer, you can get a discount on parking and tolls when you’re with Via Verde — seems like a nice touch, but considering this festival’s out-of-the-way location, it could prove necessary!
And if you thought you’d had your fill of festivals at the start of the month, you were wrong! Festival Forte is an electronic festival held in Montemor-o-Novo from August 22 to 25 and will be bringing acts such as Murcof + Malo Lacroix (Live A/V), Anthony Linell aka Abdulla Rashim, Boston 168, Christinne, Dave Clarke, Forest Drive West, and more.
Top Picks for Lisbon Events in August
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