Carnaval

Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday

Traditionally, Carnaval celebrated one last hurrah with a huge party before the long Lenten season of repentance that precedes Easter, Christianity's most important holiday. Nowadays, Carnaval in Portugal takes on a more secular aspect, with less attention paid to religion. Festivities begin several days before, with a party for senior citizens and a children's parade. Celebrations culminate in a grand parade with costumed revelers and floats along Avenida Primeiro de Maio, the wide avenue that connects the railway station to the city hall. Young and old dress up, some preferring to make a political statement, others honouring the latest Marvel superhero or Disney princess, or dressing as fruits and vegetables.

• family

Address

Avenida 1º de Maio, Praça 25 de Abril, and Avenida da Independência Nacional

Hours

Moveable feast based on the date of Easter; Feb or early Mar

Website

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