Santa Maria Festivities

António Zambujo, Átoa, and Alcoolémia Bring the Festas de Santa Maria to Life

From August 13 to 16, Ourique will once again celebrate the Festas de Santa Maria, one of its most cherished popular and religious traditions. Over the course of four days, concerts, dances, bull runs, religious ceremonies, children’s activities, and street entertainment bring together the town’s residents, visitors from neighboring municipalities, and those returning home for the festivities. Admission is free.

The festivities begin on Thursday, the 13th, with the “As Vozes de um Sonho” event, from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., at Praça d. Dinis. The event raises funds for the Ourique Children’s Choir.

On Friday, August 14, António Zambujo will perform at 10:30 p.m. A native of Beja, he is one of Portugal’s most internationally renowned singers, with a career that blends fado and Alentejo folk music with Brazilian music. At midnight, the band Alcoolémia—founded in 1992 in Amora and known for songs like “Não Sei Se Mereço”—takes the stage. DJ Rena will close out the night.

On Saturday, the 15th, Los Invictus will perform at 10:00 p.m., followed by Átoa at 11:30 p.m. The band from Évora has been active for over ten years. Paredão Baile Funk and DJ Dagô round out the night’s lineup.

Something for everyone

The religious celebration takes place on Saturday, August 15, at 6:00 p.m., at the Church of Santa Maria, with Mass followed by a procession in honor of Our Lady of the Assumption. The program also includes a bull run through the town’s streets, a moped parade, exhibitions, street markets, children’s activities, dances, choral groups, DJs, and street entertainment by Charanga das Fresquinhas.

On Sunday, the Rossio do Poço will host the Alentejo-style bullfight, the town’s sardine feast, and a dance featuring Ricardo Glória. The traditional açorda will bring the festivities to a close at 2:00 a.m.

The Ourique Festival

The Festas de Santa Maria are one of Ourique’s most cherished popular and religious traditions. It recalls the days when residents handmade the flowers that decorated the streets, the fireworks and the philharmonic bands at dawn, the village fairs, and the young men who faced off against the cows in the wooden arena set up behind City Hall. It is this history that returns to the streets of Ourique every August.

See the full program in the image below.