Fri, 16 Oct · 18:00
Castro Fair 2026
Castro Fair 2026 The tradition returns on October 16, 17, and 18! The Castro Fair, one of the most iconic traditional fairs in southern Portugal and one of the main occasions for people to gather and socialize in Castro Verde, is back on October 16, 17, and 18. For three days, the town welcomes thousands of visitors to a celebration blending tradition, commerce, culture, and entertainment. Alongside the fair’s own vibrant atmosphere, the Castro Verde City Council has prepared a cultural program showcasing various expressions of Alentejo culture, featuring music, exhibitions, traditional singing, folklore, the viola campaniça, and street entertainment. The program kicks off on Friday, October 16, starting at 6:00 p.m., with the opening, at the Municipal Forum, of the painting exhibition “Retrospectivas” by Eduardo Palminha. At the same time, on Rua da Seara Nova, the photography exhibition “O Cante na Rua” by Adalrich Malzbender—dedicated to Alentejo folk singing—will open, and the Local Products and Handicrafts Market will also open on Rua Fialho de Almeida. The first night will feature music at Praça da República, with Lena d’Água taking the stage at 10:00 p.m. and 90’s Noventamente at 11:30 p.m. On Saturday, the 17th, the Fair begins with the Bird Fair, starting at 10:00 a.m. at the Exhibition Pavilion in Largo da Feira, organized by the Castro Verde Ornithological Club. At 10:30 a.m., the streets of the Fair will host a Street Parade of Bands, featuring the Banda Filarmónica Sociedade Recreativa 1.º de Janeiro and the Banda Filarmónica de Serpa, followed throughout the day by various moments of entertainment, music, and tradition. Of particular note is the 7th Gathering of Castro Verde Natives in the Diaspora, which takes place starting at 12:30 p.m. at the Castro Verde High School and brings together, for a, military personnel residing outside the municipality for a moment of reunion, sharing, and fellowship. In the afternoon, Praça da República will host a performance by the “Amendoeiras em Flor” Ethnographic Group from Castro Marim (3:00 p.m.) and the Parade and Performance by Choral Groups (4:00 p.m.), featuring groups from the Casa do Povo de Santo Aleixo da Restauração, “O Sobreiro” from Baixa da Banheira, and “Os Ganhões” from Castro Verde. In the evening, starting at 9:30 p.m., the Municipal Forum will host the 34th edition of the Gathering of “Despique” and “Baldão” Singers and “Viola Campaniça” Players, organized by Cortiçol. At Praça da República, the evening will also feature a concert by Miguel Gameiro & Pólo Norte at 10:00 p.m. The last day of the Fair, Sunday, October 18, begins at 10:00 a.m., at the Children’s Park, with the Alentejo Rafeiro Dog Show, organized by the Alentejo Rafeiro Breeders’ Association, in partnership with the Campo Branco Farmers’ Association. Also on Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., the Rotunda do Minério will host the Classic Car Exhibition at the Castro Fair, organized by the Castro Verde Historic and Sports Cars Section of the AMBB. The event will feature a 1909 Unic Type A1 car owned by Jacinto Faleiro. Over the course of three days, the Castro Fair once again establishes itself as a gathering place and a celebration of traditions, bringing together commerce, culture, and entertainment in one of the most memorable events on the Castro Verde calendar.
