Carnival parade in Lavra

Hello everyone, today I came to see the carnival parade in the area where I live. Today was a wonderful day and as you already know I am delighted with children. I think carnival is much more fun with children 😀

Portugal has strong Carnival traditions. By the way, there are records that inform that it was the Portuguese who took the popular festival to Brazil.

Many people recognize Carnival as a Brazilian party, but the reality is that Carnival traditions are diverse and present in countries around the world.

From north to south, on the mainland and on the islands, Portugal brings together many parties and costumes at this time of year. Although it is somewhat different from the Carnivals we are used to in Brazil, here you can find some of the most Brazilian Carnivals in Europe.

Furthermore, some traditions are older than Christianity and are still alive today. It is definitely worth giving a chance to a different Carnival in Portugal.

How is Carnival in Portugal?
In Portugal, the Carnival season is synonymous with partying, just like in Brazil. Floats, parades through the streets, people in costume and lots of music are also common in some Portuguese cities

Carnival in Portugal is also called Entrudo, as the ancient traditions of celebrating the arrival of spring in the northern hemisphere were known. By the way, Carnival here is during the winter, but the low temperatures do not interfere with the revelry of the Portuguese.

Depending on the region of Portugal, you will experience different Carnival traditions. Even so, you will always be able to find some festivity that plays a Brazilian song from time to time.

Several bars and even city halls organize Carnival parties very similar to those in Brazil. Portugal also has its carnival marches, which animate dancers, as well as Brazilian Carnival hits and electronic music.

How did Carnival come about in Portugal?
The origin of Carnival in Portugal is not unique, but there were several influences that shaped it to what it is today. Since ancient times, in the north of Portugal, Celtic peoples have marked the end of winter with fertility parties. Over the centuries, the pagan traditions of the Romans in Portugal, of revelry, pranks, feasting and dancing, became so popular that it was impossible to fight them.

When the Pope accepted Carnival and the Catholic Church adopted Carnival into the Christian calendar in the 15th century, festivals became increasingly common across Europe. Carnival officially became the time to eat meat and let loose before the Lenten fast until Easter.

With the blessing of the Church, from the 18th and 19th centuries onwards, the upper classes in Portugal also began to hold their private balls. Then, the Portuguese set up their first Carnival parades in the streets, complete with a float and everything!

Where to spend Carnival in Portugal?
There is no shortage of options for places to spend Carnival in Portugal, whether to discover local traditions or to quench your nostalgia for Brazil. I'll tell you the shows that I like the most here in Portugal 😀

• Torres Vedras
  The most famous Carnival in Portugal is in Torres Vedras, about 50 km from the center of Lisbon. Revelers and masked people join the procession, without forgetting the traditional parades of "matrafonas" (men dressed as women), "cabeÇudos" (resembling the giant puppets of Olinda) and "kings of carnival".

It is known as the most Portuguese Carnival in Portugal, and it is also the biggest. The Carnival of Torres Vedras receives about half a million visitors during six days of festivities, and has been taking place since 1930. The parade is animated with popular Portuguese music and at the end there is a beautiful fireworks show.

• Podence
  The most different of all Carnival traditions in Portugal is the Caretos de Podence. The region of Tras-Dos-Montes, inspired by the customs of the Celts who lived in the northeast of Portugal in antiquity, keeps alive the tradition that, since 2019, is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

• Loule
  Located in the Algarve, the city of Loulé in Portugal is very famous for its Carnival festivities. It has street blocks, floats, lots of animation and also Brazilian music. People take to the streets dressed up and full of energy, enjoying the outdoors in one of the hottest regions of Portugal.

• Ovar
  With several carnival attractions, the city of Ovar is ideal for all ages. There is a children's carnival, a senior carnival, a masquerade ball and a samba school parade. That is, there is no lack of fun

• Alcobaça
  If you are looking for a Carnival more similar to the ones in Brazil, Alcobaça is where you can find yourself. It is reputed to be the most Brazilian Carnival in Portugal, with a very lively tent in front of the famous Monastery of AlcobaÇa.

• Funchal
  Now, if you prefer samba and want to see the carioca-style parades, it might be a good idea to visit Madeira Island. The island's capital, Funchal, takes Carnival seriously and even has samba schools!

• Nazareth
  Famous for its waves and surf, the city of Nazaré also keeps alive the tradition of carnival parties. Street dances and parades with floats attract many visitors and have mobilized the local population for generations.

• Figueira da Foz
  Another street carnival with a lot of Brazilian influence in Portugal is in Figueira da Foz, near Coimbra. The city has 3 samba schools that parade and entertain the public.

Carnival festivities in Portugal
Carnival parties in Portugal can be outdoors or in clubs or closed tents. If you suffer from the cold, the ideal is to protect yourself at a private party, but much of the beauty of Carnival is outdoors.
So it's worth it to pack well and go out to see the shows, and warm up dancing!

Street carnival in Portugal
There is also a street Carnival in Portugal, with a parade, flag bearers and drums. And many people take to the streets to watch the processions.

Most people get in the mood and go out to celebrate Carnival with costumes and masks. It is also common for local public schools to organize a parade of children with costumes made by themselves.

A great way to keep the tradition alive from an early age!

Carnival songs
Music is the soul of Carnival, and Portugal has its own marchinhas and pimba songs to dance and laugh with friends. Even so, nowadays it is impossible to spend Carnival in Portugal without listening to Brazilian music.

Samba hits, pagode, axé, and even college sertanejo are very successful here. And it's wonderful to see Brazilian music being valued in another country! Whatever your personal taste.

In addition to these musical styles, it is also common for Carnival parties indoors to have DJs playing electronic music, as if it were a normal ballad. At the end of the day, the important thing is to have fun.

Differences between Carnival in Brazil and Portugal

• Climate
  While Carnival people in Brazil enjoy the summer sun, here in Portugal it's winter and it can be very cold. But that's not enough to stop anyone's Carnival.

• Scale
  Everyone knows that Brazil takes Carnival very seriously. It is part of our cultural identity and in some cities, such as Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Recife, it moves millions of reais in the economy every year.

In Portugal, not all Portuguese celebrate Carnival, and the holiday can easily go unnoticed in some cities. And even if there are big parties here, they don't compare to the size of those in Brazil. On the other hand, they tend to be safer than the Brazilian ones.

• Duration
  Another big difference is that in Brazil we can find Carnival parties all week long (and who knows, if we go to Bahia, the whole month). Meanwhile, in most celebrations in Portugal, the days are respected: a maximum of four.

• Liking
  Many Carnival parties in Brazil these days are singles' paradise, but people in Portugal don't have the same custom of kissing and hooking up (even before the pandemic).

Incidentally, very heated displays of affection in public are not common in Portugal. Carnival here is much more familiar, and love relationships usually take a lot longer to develop.

Is it worth spending Carnival in Portugal?
Of course, it's always worth getting to know the traditions and festivals of other countries. But the important thing is to go prepared to see something different. Carnival in Brazil is only in Brazil. In Portugal it's different, and comparing doesn't make sense.

They are different festivals, each with its own beauty and magic. Go and enjoy Carnival in Portugal with an open mind. It's worth allowing yourself to get to know the Portuguese culture, and it's still a lot of fun!

I hope you liked it, see you soon friends 😀