In recent years, Portugal has become a tourism hotspot not only for its popular sights and beaches but also due to its attractive festival scene. Portuguese music festivals offer incredible line-ups for affordable prices and warm summer nights.
Having come back to life last year after two summers in a row without festivals due to Covid-19, Portugal has a wide range of festivals worth traveling for.
Let’s take a look at 7 upcoming music festivals in Portugal for 2023 so you can get those tickets purchased and flights booked! Keep in mind that there will still be more artists announced in the coming months for the following festivals.
1. NOS Alive 2023
NOS Alive takes place this year from July 6 to 8 in Alges, a 10-minute train ride from Lisbon.
NOS Alive’s first edition happened in 2007 (when it was named Optimus Alive). The festival is known to have the most well-known line-up in Portugal. In 2009, the British magazine NME named NOS Alive one of the top 12 European festivals.
The 2023 edition of NOS Alive welcomes Lizzo, Sam Smith, Arctic Monkeys, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Queens of the Stone Age, The Black Keys, and more.
Estas são as primeiras confirmações para a 15ª edição do #NOSAlive ⚡️ Encontro-te novamente no Passeio Marítimo de Algés nos dias 6, 7 e 8 de julho com o Melhor Cartaz. Sempre!
🎫 Garante já o teu bilhete em https://t.co/1N2ip0SJZH#NOSAlive23 pic.twitter.com/sHnqMECLv5
— NOS Alive (@NOS_Alive) December 22, 2022
2. Super Bock Super Rock 2023
This year, Super Bock Super Rock is taking place on July 14, 15, and 16. Located in Meco, Sesimbra, Super Bock Super Rock is sponsored by the iconic Portuguese beer brand Super Bock. Therefore, expect to see this Portuguese staple everywhere!
First founded in 1995 with a focus on rock, it now welcomes artists of a variety of music genres. The festival has four different stages: the main Palco Super Bock, Palco EDP, Palco LG by Radio SBSR, and Palco Somersby. This festival gives a platform to artists of all sizes, including upcoming Portuguese performers.
This year The 1975, Franz Ferdinand, James Murphy DJ Set, Black Country, and more will be performing.
4. Boom Festival 2023
Although Boom Festival usually only happens every two years, due to the pandemic, it’s happening again in 2023 after last year’s success. This festival is a unique one of trance music that is also focused on sustainability.This year, Boom is happening between the 20 to 27 of July.
Located in Herdade do Jambujal, Aguas de Moura, the festival is committed to the following mantras: Oneness, Music, Peace, Arts, Environment, Culture, and Love.
A 100% independent festival, each edition of the festival has a theme, with this year’s theme being “radical love”.
The theme seeks to fight “polarisation – the us vs them dynamics” and to enter “into a positive interaction that unites differences and finds similarities. Based on empathy, compassion, solidarity, we need a culture based on the capacity of alterity — in two words: Radical Love”.
Leonardo Da Vinci once said that “art is never finished, only abandoned”. This is not the case at @boomlandofficial. Some of the installations built for the festival stay at home. Here’s a “now & then” of some of our installations. #BoomFestival #Boomland pic.twitter.com/LqnxF8FdxB
— BoomFestivalOfficial (@boomfestivalHQ) January 6, 2023
5. Neopop 2023
Neopop festival is happening on August 10, 11, and 12 this year. An electronic music festival in Viana do Castelo in the region of Braga, this one is for the techno lovers.
Neopop festival is located within a 16th-century fort wall and an industrial harbor site with shipping containers. This year’s line up has not yet been announced. However, for the past decade, incredible artists have been performing at Neopop.
Last year, the festival welcomed Paula Temple, Nina Kraviz, Dax J, DJ Nobu, and more.
6. NOS Primavera Sound 2023
NOS Primavera Sound in Porto will take place between June 7 to 10, 2023. This festival is one of the largest in Europe, with editions in Barcelona and Madrid, as well. Last year, it also expanded to Los Angeles, Santiago de Chile, Buenos Aires, and Sao Paulo.
The festival presents all music genres, including indie, rock, and pop, as well as electronic music. This year’s lineup includes Kendrick Lamar, Rosalia, Halsey, FKA Twigs, Central Cee, Pusha T, Maggie Rogers, and more.
7. Vodafone Paredes de Coura 2023
Last but not least is one of the oldest music festivals in Portugal. Vodafone Paredes de Coura is happening between August 16 to 19, 2023. Fun fact – this festival has made the list of the top 5 music festivals in Europe by Rolling Stone.
Located in Praia Fluvial do Taboão in Caminho do Agrelo, Paredes De Coura is known for its alternative music scene. This year’s performers include Wilco, Fever Ray, Loyle Carner, Jessie Ware, Kokoroko, and more.
