Poking fun at current topics is one of the cornerstones of Carnival, and Loulé will be no exception
Loulé is gearing up for the 2025 edition of its famous Carnival parades, which are among the most popular in Portugal.
This year, the Algarve’s water crisis takes centre stage in what is said to be Portugal’s oldest Carnival party, set to take place on March 2, 3, and 4 along Avenida José da Costa Mealha.
The event will feature 15 impressive floats, around 600 performers – including samba dancers and street entertainers – oversized puppets, and, of course, plenty of political and social satire.
Poking fun at current topics is one of the cornerstones of Carnival, and Loulé will be no exception, tackling a wide range of political issues from the upcoming Portuguese presidential elections and António Costa’s new role as president of the European Council to US president Donald Trump’s anti-immigration measures.
The parade will also feature floats focusing on more “local” issues, from the Algarve’s planned desalination plant to the proliferation of avocado plantations.
A familiar face at Loulé’s Carnival, Cristiano Ronaldo, is set to make yet another grand entrance this year, with his float depicting his extravagant lifestyle in Saudi Arabia following his record-breaking contract renewal.
The parades will run from 3pm to 6pm on all three days, with tickets priced at €2. Proceeds will be donated to local social causes and community organisations.
Beyond the parade, Loulé will host a variety of festivities, including sports activities and the grand Carnival Gala Ball, set to take place on Monday, March 3, at the town’s ballroom (Salão de Festas).
€50,000 raised during 2024 Carnival festivities
Last year’s Carnival festivities in Loulé raised nearly €50,000, which was distributed among four social solidarity institutions and 10 local community groups that participated in last year’s parade.
Every year, the municipal council chooses local organisations based on their social impact, geographical reach, and specific needs. Half of last year’s proceeds went to supporting the work of ASMAL – Associação de Saúde Mental do Algarve (Algarve Mental Health Association), UNIR – Associação dos Doentes Mentais, Famílias e Amigos do Algarve (Association for Mental Health Patients, Families, and Friends) and Associação Humanitária de Doentes de Parkinson e Alzheimer (Humanitarian Association for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Patients).
The remaining 50% was distributed among local cultural and sports groups, including Grupo Desportivo das Barreiras Brancas, EXISTIR, Clube Desportivo Algarvegym, Ginástica Clube de Loulé, Motoclube de Loulé, Grupo dos Amigos de Loulé, DOINA – Associação de Imigrantes Romenos e Moldavos do Algarve (Romanian and Moldovan Immigrants Association of the Algarve), TUALLLE – Tuna Universitária Afonsina de Loulé, Associação Artística Satori, and Associação Amigos das Tradições do Concelho de Loulé. According to the council, these groups played a vital role in bringing creativity and energy to the parade, contributing both through their costumed street performers and allegorical floats.
