The cultural scene in Lisbon offers a formidable number of venues and groups performing in a wide variety of sites, such as outdoor parks and national monuments.
Our "What's On in Lisbon" guide online publishes cultural listings. Event tickets are available for purchase from the Agência de Bilhetes para Espectáculos Públicos (ABEP); there is a kiosk in the southeast corner of Praça dos Restauradores, and from Ticket Line on telephone number: 707 234 234.
April - Indie Lisboa Film Festival - A fantastic melting pot for directors, producers and journalists with over 200 screenings of short and feature films.
May - Every two years, the Parque da Bela Vista receives one of the biggest music festivals in the world, Rock-in-Rio. It began in Rio de Janeiro in 1985, with some of the best names in the music industry performing there live. Rock-in-Rio was first held in Lisbon in 2004. The event was a huge success with artists such as Paul McCartney, Sting and Britney Spears, and now returns to the city in 2010. This organisation aims to promote "a better world" by educating and creating an awareness for the protection of the environment.
12 - 13 June - Saint Anthony’s - This is really the biggest party of the year in Lisbon, outstripping even New Year’s Eve because of its community involvement. It starts on the evening of the 12th of June and continues until the next day. Whole areas of the city, most famously the ancient and typical Alfama and Bica neighbourhoods become outdoor party spaces, with coloured lights and decorations, food (typically roasted sardines) and drink (typically red wine) being sold from innumerable stalls, and omnipresent music, often live. The atmosphere is exciting while being charming and friendly, with whole families taking to the streets.
July - Super Bock Super Rock - Sponsored by Portuguese beer brand Super Bock, Super Rock is a major rock festival in Lisbon's music calendar and takes place in the Parque do Tejo, in Lisbon's Parque das Nações.
July, August - Estoril Music Festival - Estoril’s Music Festival was first held in 1975 and cools down the hot summer season with five weeks of quality music.
July to September - BaixAnima Street Festival - A bizarre mixture of music, dance, theatre, circus and sport in downtown Baixa make Lisbon’s summer BaixAnima festival truly unique.
September - Lisbon Half Marathon - Lisbon hosts half marathons twice a year, in spring and in autumn. It is a fast race (the world’s best time over the distance has been realised here several times), the terrain being relatively flat, it is also the world’s largest over the distance, attracting more than 30,000 participants.
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