Dates & Holiday Status

In 2026, Carnival (Terça‑feira de Carnaval / Fat Tuesday) falls on 17 February.

Carnival in Portugal is not an official national holiday, but a optional one — many employers and municipalities give the day off or tolerance point, especially around big festivities.

Schools often schedule a short Carnival break around the same dates, though these don’t always match the parade dates exactly.

Where to Celebrate

Portugal may not give a bank holiday for Mardi Gras, but it definitely throws some of the season’s most distinctive celebrations:

Carnival in Porto (12–18 Feb 2026)
Porto’s carnival features samba‑inspired street parades, gigs like Samba in Porto at Bolhão Market, family workshops and a festive parade in Senhora da Hora around 15 Feb.

What to watch for: Samba music, creative costumes and the unique blend of Portuguese and Brazilian‑style carnival styles make Porto’s celebration fun for families and nightlife lovers alike.

Madeira Carnival

In Funchal, the Carnival is one of Portugal’s most famous, usually running over many days with grand parades and costumed floats — a great sun‑soaked alternative in winter.

Carnival of Ovar

In the Aveiro region, this popular street carnival extends for weeks before Mardi Gras, with multiple parades and samba‑inspired groups that rival bigger festivities elsewhere.

Caretos de Podence

In rural northern Portugal (Trás‑os‑Montes), the Caretos tradition is an ancient and quirky take on Carnival, with masked figures celebrating local folk roots.

What to look out for: each region throws its own style of Carnival — from samba parades in coastal cities to age‑old rural rituals. Parade schedules usually begin a couple of weeks before Mardi Gras and peak on the weekend and Monday/Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

What Happens After Mardi Gras — Lent & Holy Week

Once Carnival ends with Ash Wednesday, both countries enter Lent, a period of reflection leading up to Easter.

In Portugal, lent leads to the similarly celebrated Easter period with festivals and church processions in many towns.