Public Holidays in Portugal in 2025 and how the Portuguese celebrate them

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All Public Holidays in Portugal in 2025

Just like in the UK, there are also a number of holidays in Portugal. Most of them will sound familiar to you, but there are also a number of holidays that are not celebrated in the UK. Below I have made a list of public holidays in 2025 that are of course also celebrated in the Algarve. You can also read a short description for each holiday about how the holiday is celebrated by the Portuguese:

Overview of public holidays in Portugal 2025

See below the list of all public holidays in Portugal in 2025:

Wednesday, January 1: New Year’s Day (Dia de Ano Novo)
Friday, April 18: Good Friday (Sexta-feira Santa)
Sunday, April 20: Easter (Domingo de Páscoa)
Friday, April 25: Independence Day (Dia da Liberdade)
Tuesday, May 1: Labor Day (Dia do Trabalhador)
Thursday, June 19: Corpus Christi (Corpo de Deus)
Tuesday, June 10: National Day of Portugal (Dia de Portugal)
Friday, August 15: Assumption of Our Lady (Assunção de Nossa Senhora)
Sunday, October 5: Republican Day (Dia da República)
Saturday, November 1: All Saints’ Day (Dia de Todos os Santos)
Monday, December 1: Day of the Restoration of Independence (Restauração da Independência)
Monday, December 8: Immaculate Conception (Imaculada Conceição)
Thursday, December 25: Christmas (Natal)
Wednesday, December 31: New Year’s Eve (Véspera de Ano Novo)

Below you will find an explanation for each holiday, whether shops and government agencies are open and how the Portuguese celebrate this holiday.

Explanation of public holidays Portugal 2025

Wednesday, January 1 : New Year’s Day (Dia de Ano Novo)

On New Year’s Day, the Portuguese celebrate the beginning of the new year. It is a day to recover from the holidays and spend time with family and friends. Many people exchange gifts and traditional meals are served.

This is a public holiday, so most Portuguese people will have the day off and offices and many shops will be closed. Also, few restaurants will be open.

Friday April 18 : Good Friday (Sexta-feira Santa)

Good Friday is an important day for Catholics in Portugal, who celebrate it as a commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus. There are processions through the streets with statues of Jesus and other saints, and some people even fast to remember the important message of the day.

Good Friday is an official holiday, so most Portuguese people will have the day off and many shops will be closed.

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Sunday April 20 : Easter (Domingo de Páscoa)

Easter Sunday is the most important day of Easter for Catholics. It marks the resurrection of Jesus after his death and the end of the Good Friday mourning. Many church services are held and there are also many festive activities, such as eating special Easter pastries and giving gifts to children.

Easter is a public holiday, so many shops will be closed. Most restaurants will be open and may have an Easter special.

Friday April 25 : Independence Day (Dia da Liberdade)

The Dia da Liberdade (Day of Freedom) on April 25 is a national holiday in Portugal commemorating the Carnation Revolution. On this day, various celebrations and events take place throughout the country, such as military parades, concerts, cultural activities and political rallies. People come together to celebrate the freedom and democracy gained through the revolution, and to honour the sacrifices made for a more just and democratic Portugal.

This is an official holiday, so most Portuguese people will have the day off and many shops will be closed.

Background information about the Dia da Liberdade

The Portuguese Revolution of 25 April 1974, also known as the Carnation Revolution, was a political and social upheaval that overthrew the dictatorial Estado Novo regime, in power since 1933. The revolution led to the establishment of a democratic regime and the new constitution on 25 April 1976, with a strong socialist orientation. The revolution was led by the military Movimento das Forças Armadas (MFA), composed mainly of captains who had participated in the Colonial War.

After the revolution, the government of the country was transferred to the National Salvation Council. On 15 May 1974, General António de Spínola was appointed President of the Republic and Adelino da Palma Carlos Prime Minister. A period of great unrest followed, known as the PREC (Revolutionary Process in Course), marked by demonstrations, occupations, provisional governments and nationalisations. After political stabilisation, on 25 April 1976, the new democratic constitution was introduced and the first legislative elections of the new republic were held. Since then, 25 April has been celebrated in Portugal as “Freedom Day”

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Tuesday, May 1 : Labor Day

Dia do Trabalhador , or Labour Day, is celebrated every year on 1 May in Portugal, as it is in many other countries around the world. The day was created to commemorate the labour movement and the fight for better working conditions, including the eight-hour workday. Although the celebration of Labour Day is international, Portugal has its own history of labour movements and strikes dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, the celebration of Labour Day was only officially permitted after the Carnation Revolution in 1974, when Portugal became a democratic country.

Nowadays, in Portugal, the Dia do Trabalhador is seen as a day to reflect on workers’ rights and the progress that has been made over the years. On this day, various events are held throughout the country, such as parades, demonstrations and rallies organized by trade unions, political parties and social movements. It is also a day of relaxation and fun, where people gather with family and friends to enjoy open-air concerts, picnics and other festivities. Since it is a national holiday, many businesses and public services are closed, leaving most people free to participate in the celebrations.

Thursday 19 June : Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi)

Corpus Christi , or Corpus Christi Day, is a feast day in honor of the Body of Christ and is celebrated by Catholics in Portugal. Processions are held with statues of saints and other religious symbols, and some parishes also hold special services and other festive activities.

This is an official holiday, so most Portuguese people will have the day off and many shops will be closed. If you still want to do something fun on this holiday, take a look at the activities page .

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Tuesday, June 10 : National Day of Portugal (Dia de Portugal)

Portuguese National Day celebrates Portugal’s independence and the foundation of the Republic in 1910. There are often public parades and other festive activities, such as music concerts and fireworks displays. It is also customary to fly the national flag and display other symbols of national pride.

Also, this holiday commemorates Luís de Camões , a renowned poet and national hero in Portugal, known for his contribution to the literary world in the 16th century. Camões is held in high regard for his epic work, The Lusiads (Os Lusíadas), in which he recorded the heroic deeds of Portuguese explorers and the glorious achievements of the nation. 2022 also marks the 450th anniversary of the publication of The Lusiads.

Since Camões’ exact date of birth is unknown, he is remembered on the day of his death. Camões embodies Portuguese patriotism, and his name is inextricably linked to various folk tales, myths and legends that have emerged over time.

This is an official holiday, so most Portuguese people will have the day off and many shops will be closed.

Friday 15 August : Assumption of Our Lady (Assunção de Nossa Senhora)

In the height of the holiday season, Portugal celebrates the Assumption of Mary, known locally as ‘Assunção de Nossa Senhora’, on August 15. This Catholic national holiday commemorates the passing of Mary and her assumption, body and spirit, into heaven. Many Portuguese celebrate by spending time with family and taking part in colorful processions in honor of the Virgin Mary.

Visitors should be aware that many shops, banks and public services are closed. But don’t worry! Tourist attractions , beaches and most restaurants remain open. It is advisable to book in advance for dinner, as local families often dine extensively.

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In coastal towns like Albufeira or Lagos you can enjoy festive markets, live music and sometimes even fireworks. It is a perfect opportunity to experience Portuguese culture up close and be part of the local festivities!

This is an official holiday, so most Portuguese people will have the day off and many shops will be closed.

Sunday October 5 : Republican Day (Dia da República)

Republic Day celebrates the foundation of the Portuguese Republic in 1910 and is celebrated with political rallies and other forms of public demonstration. There are also often music concerts and other festive activities. This is an official holiday and so most Portuguese have the day off and many shops will be closed.

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Saturday November 1 : All Saints Day (Dia de Todos os Santos)

All Saints Day is a holiday in honor of all saints and is celebrated by Catholics in Portugal. There are often processions and other religious ceremonies, and some people visit the graves of deceased relatives to pay their respects. This is an official holiday, so most Portuguese people will have the day off and many shops will be closed.

Monday, December 1 : Day of the Restoration of Independence (Restauração da Independência)

Restoration of Independence Day celebrates the restoration of independence from Portugal in 1640 after 60 years of Spanish rule.

It was on this day that a group of rebels planned and launched a coup d’état that proved to be a success, returning independence to the Portuguese people, who were ruled by King D. João IV. The forty conspirators invaded the Royal Palace in Lisbon, killed the representative of Spain in Portugal, Miguel de Vasconcelos, and proclaimed the Duke of Bragança king, thus starting the dynasty of the same name.

There are often political rallies and other forms of public demonstrations on this day to celebrate freedom.

This is an official holiday, so most Portuguese people will have the day off and many shops will be closed.

Monday December 8 : Immaculate Conception (Imaculada Conceição)

The Immaculate Conception celebrates the immaculate conception of Mary and is celebrated by Catholics in Portugal. There are often processions and other religious ceremonies in honor of this day, and some people visit Marian shrines to show their devotion. The Immaculate Conception is an important day for many Catholics in Portugal and is celebrated with much celebration and honor. This is a public holiday, so most Portuguese people will have the day off and many shops will be closed.

Thursday December 25 : Christmas (Natal)

Christmas is an important holiday for Catholics and others in Portugal, celebrating the birth of Jesus. There are many traditions associated with Christmas in Portugal, such as setting up a Christmas tree, giving gifts and eating special Christmas meals. It is also customary to go to church for a special service on Christmas Day. This is an official holiday, so most Portuguese people will have the day off and many shops will be closed.

Wednesday, December 31 : New Year’s Eve (Véspera de Ano Novo)

On New Year’s Eve , December 31st, the Portuguese also celebrate the end of the year and the beginning of a new year. It is customary to spend the last evening of the year with family and friends and celebrate with a special dinner or party. Some people also go to public fireworks displays in, for example, Albufeira, Portimão or Lagos or set off fireworks themselves to ring in the new year. It is also customary to say “Feliz Ano Novo” (Happy New Year) to others.

New Year’s Eve in Portugal is not an official holiday, but many shops and offices close early.

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Non-public holidays in Portugal 2025

The following ‘holidays’ in Portugal are not official holidays:

Carnival – This is not a public holiday, but Carnival is celebrated on a grand scale in places like Loulé.
Christmas Eve – In Portugal, Christmas Eve is not an official holiday, but many shops and offices close early.

There are also a number of days in the year that are not public holidays in Portugal, but are in the Netherlands. These are:

Pentecost – This is not a public holiday and the Portuguese are therefore not necessarily free from work.
Ascension Day – In the UK and also in Portugal it is not recognized as an official holiday with a day off.
Boxing Day – Christmas in Portugal is celebrated on the 24th and 25th.

Other ‘holidays’ that are celebrated in Portugal but are not official holidays:

Father’s Day (March 19) – Portugal celebrates Father’s Day on March 19. Just like in the UK, this is not an official holiday.
Mother’s Day (1st Sunday in May) – A notable thing about Mother’s Day in Portugal is that it is always celebrated on the first Sunday in May, rather than on a fixed date as is the case with Father’s Day.