Perhaps the last cold month of the year in Lisbon, February brings with it a variety of activities and events that you should not miss out on. From concerts and exhibitions to workshops and book clubs, let’s take a look at what’s on in Lisbon this February so that you take advantage of what the capital has to offer this month.
Candlelight: The Best of ABBA
Candlelight Concerts has events in over 100 cities with 3 million attendees all over the world, offering a one-of-a-kind experience in a candlelit setting. This month’s Candlelight with the Best of ABBA is happening at the Altis Grand Hotel in Lisbon, illuminated by candles.
A string quartet will play Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, Waterloo, and all your other ABBA favorites. The concert is 60 minutes long and is the perfect evening for a date night or a night out with friends.
Treasures from Kings Exhibition
The exhibition “O Tesouro dos Reis” at the Terra Sancta Museum at Calouste Gulbenkian is available until February 26. This exhibition showcases contributions spanning five centuries, featuring donations from European Catholic monarchs to churches in the region, taking visitors from Jerusalem to Portugal for the first time.
At the heart of the exhibition are notable gifts such as the church lamp sent to Jerusalem by Portugal’s King D. João V and the intricately designed baldachin donated by Charles VII, King of Naples, housing a precious monstrance or crucifix.
The exhibition also highlights the connection between Calouste Gulbenkian and the Holy Land, featuring a 15th-century Armenian illuminated manuscript gifted by the collector to the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Visit from Wednesday to Monday, with weekday hours from 10 am to 6 pm and extended weekend hours from 10 am to 9 pm.
Torres Vedras Carnaval
Many are unaware, but Carnaval is a big deal in some areas of Portugal, particularly in Torres Vedras, around 50 kilometers from Lisbon. The Torres Vedras Carnaval is arguably the most famous in the whole country, offering days of festivities and parties for a unique experience. These include a masked ball, parade, and DJ parties until 4 am.
The Carnaval in Torres Vedras has been celebrated since the early 1900s, although it only became larger and more available to those in Lisbon in the 1930s. In 1985, a new period of the Torres Vedras carnival began, with an official organizing commission that chose an annual theme.
This year, from February 9 to 14, the theme is “Carnaval of the Future”. An interesting aspect of the Torres Vedras Carnaval is the “matrafonas”, where all the men dress up as women, a tradition from the 1920s. Unlike drag, the tradition is that men dress ridiculously and without style, not trying to “pass” as women. On Monday, there will be a “Matrafonas” contest.
February’s Queer Book Club at Fable
Head to the Fable, a delightful English bookshop in Lisbon, known for its delicious baked goods and matchas. This month, Fable is hosting a Queer Book Club session, geared towards members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies.
The discussion will be led by the book club host, Maria Eilersen, and you are welcome to share your thoughts on the book or just listen. The book of the month is “Girlcrush”, a dark feminist comedy written by bestselling author Florence Given.
In this debut novel, Eartha embarks on a contemporary and captivating journey as she openly embraces her bisexuality, becoming a viral sensation on Wonder Land, a social media app where users project their idealized selves online.
Ceviche & Pisco Sour Workshop
Foodies and aspiring mixologists rejoice! CHOCLO Ceviche, a delicious Peruvian restaurant in Lisbon is hosting a Ceviche & Pisco Sour workshop. The workshop is led by acclaimed chef Matías de Araujo.
In the three hours, you will get to dive into the world of Peruvian cuisine, learn how to marinate seafood and make incredible ceviche, as well as discover the flavors of Pisco Sours.
Tea Ceremony, Sharing & Singing – Special to welcome in the Lunar New Year
Experience the ancient art of Cha Dao, ‘The Way of Tea,‘ a practice followed by monks and sages for centuries as a means to reach a meditative state. According to this experience, tea considered a compassionate plant teacher, enhances our bond with nature, simplicity, and beauty. This is a unique Lunar New Year Edition of Cha Dao, where you’ll engage in the dance of the elements through the tea leaves, and savor the captivating vocals of Mieka.
Real Fado at Pavilhão Chines
Real Fado celebrates the traditional Lisbon song of Fado, listed as UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. The name pays homage to its birthplace, “Príncipe Real,” Lisbon’s coolest neighborhood, blending splendid views, romantic gardens, and a charming urban fabric with the trendiest shops and restaurants in the capital.
There are three events in February, each featuring a different but equally incredible fadista. Hosted at Pavilhão Chines, a unique Principe Real bar that first opened in 1986 and features five different rooms.
