Here is the list of annual celebrations and events hosted in Lisbon.
February / March
Carnival – This is the biggest festival of the year, signalling the end of winter and the beginning of Lent.
March
Lisbon half-marathon – This 20km marathon begins at Ponte Vasco da Gama and follows through until Parque das Nações.
Lisbon Fashion Week – Top designers and bloggers fly in from all over the world for this high-end event.
March / April
Peixe em Lisboa – This festival of fish hosts masterclasses by top chefs as well as fish tasting.
April
IndieLisboa – Independent film festival, screens hundreds of films from all over the world.
Dias da Musica – Festival of classical music, one whole weekend of performances.
May
Rock in Rio – Some of the world’s top names in the music industry perform over five days in this bi-annual festival. Previous performers included Sting and Britney Spears. All kinds of music from electronic dance to World Music.
Book Fair – For book and antique lovers, you can find rare first editions as well as typical books at a discounted price.
June
Super Bock Super Rock – A large rock festival hosting some of the largest names in the industry- in the past including Metallica, Marilyn Manson Lenny Kravitz.
Arraial Pride – The large Gay March and street party celebrates same-sex love and pride! It has changed locations many times, but in recent times has been hosted in Avenida da Liberdade.
Alkantara Festival – This art festival takes place bi-annually, and is hosted anywhere from streets to parks and theatres. Portuguese and international artists take part in all different forms of media.
Santos Populares – In honor of Saint Anthony and other saints large street parties are thrown, with lots of dancing, eating and celebrating.
June / July
Handicrafts Fair – This fair promotes the nation’s culture and tradition, featuring artists from all over the country as well as live folk music.
July
Almada Theatre Festival – This festival takes place in multiple locations throughout the city, and screens movies from many international theatre companies.
Sintra Music Festival – This highly regarded festival is for ballet and classical music, hosted in many public gardens and parks as well as the Olga Cadaval Cultural Centre.
August
Jazz em Augusto – The open-air amphitheatre at The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation hosts many jazz musicians throughout the month.
September
ExperimentaDesign – This festival exhibits everything in the fields of design, architecture and design culture. Take part here in their conferences, screenings, workshops and exhibitions, situated all over the city.
Queer Lisboa – This gay / lesbian film festival screens in several theatres across the city.
October
DocLisboa – This festival exhibits documentaries of all subject matters and styles from all over the world.
French Cinema Festival – This festival is organised by the French-Portuguese institute and showcases the latest films from France.
November
São Martinho – Saint’s Day in Lisbon! This event is celebrated with traditional wine tasting and eating hot chestnuts.
December
Christmas – The celebrations for this holiday begin at the beginning of December, signalled by the erecting of the tallest Christmas tree in Europe.