Saint John's Night in Porto (São João): programme, fireworks and hammers

Updated on October 18, 2026

São João (Saint John) is Porto's big festival: on the night of 23 to 24 June the whole city takes to the streets to eat grilled sardines, dance and tap each other on the head with plastic hammers. The high point is the fireworks launched at midnight over the Douro, visible from the Ribeira and from Gaia. 24 June is a public holiday in Porto. In 2026 the city invested €800,000 in the programme and announced a fireworks show of about 12 minutes. The 2027 programme was not yet published in October 2026: check the City of Porto's agenda a few weeks beforehand.

Highlights

The midnight fireworks

Launched over the Douro at midnight, they lasted about 12 minutes in 2026. The best viewpoints are the Ribeira quays, the Dom Luís I bridge and the Gaia waterfront, but they fill up from late afternoon.

The Ribeira

The riverside district hosts a concert before the fireworks (in 2026, Karetus from 10:30pm to midnight). It is the most spectacular and the most crowded spot of the night.

The Avenida dos Aliados stages

Free concerts all evening on the grand avenue; in 2026 Tony Carreira performed there from 12:20am to 2am. See also our page on the Avenida dos Aliados.

Hammers and leek flowers

Tradition has people gently tapping each other on the head with a plastic hammer or a leek flower (alho-porro). Hammers are sold in the street; stay at the edge of the crowd if you would rather avoid the blows.

Sardines, caldo verde and bifanas

Open-air grills are the menu of the night. Restaurants are full: book well ahead.

Practical info

Tips

Come by metro: many streets in the centre are closed to traffic (see getting around Porto). Arrive before 9pm if you want a spot near the river. Keep your belongings in a bag closed in front of you, as crowds attract pickpockets (see scams and safety in Porto). Book accommodation very early, as prices rise (see where to stay in Porto). Information checked in October 2026 in the Portuguese press; the official programme is published by the City of Porto a few weeks before the festival.

How to get there

The centre is reachable on foot. Metro: São Bento station for the Ribeira, Trindade station for the Aliados. From Gaia, walk across the Dom Luís I bridge. Expect streets closed to traffic and a packed metro after midnight.