As the summer crowds fade and cooler days return, towns across the Algarve are preparing for one of the region’s most cherished seasonal traditions – their autumn fairs.
These events have brought communities together for centuries. Today, they remain crowd-pullers, known for their daring rides, bustling stalls, and the irresistible scent of roasted chestnuts drifting through the air.
Faro’s Feira de Santa Iria kicks off the season on Thursday (October 16), transforming the Largo de São Francisco into a lively melting pot of tradition until October 26. Its origins date back to the 16th century, making it one of the Algarve’s most historic fairs. The fair runs from 2pm to midnight, closing an hour later on Friday and Saturday.
From there, the festivities move west to Silves, which hosts the Feira de Todos os Santos (All Saints Fair) from October 30 to November 2 at Sítio do Encalhe. The event continues the spirit of the season, offering a blend of rides, crafts, food, and family-friendly fun from 2pm to midnight each day.
One of the Algarve’s biggest and best-loved autumn fairs is Portimão’s Feira de São Martinho, held near the Portimão Arena from November 7 to 16. Named after Saint Martin, the fair coincides with St. Martin’s Day (November 11) – a date that marks the end of the harvest and the first tasting of the year’s new wine.
One of the Algarve’s biggest autumn fairs is held in Portimão. The Feira de São Martinho gets its name from Saint Martin and coincides with Saint Martin’s Day (November 11), which marks the end of the harvest season. In Portugal, the day is celebrated with roasted chestnuts (castanhas assadas), new wine (água-pé), and autumn fairs.
As the typical Portuguese saying goes:
É dia de São Martinho;
comem-se castanhas, prova-se o vinho.
(It is St. Martin’s Day,
Chestnuts are eaten, wine is tasted)
The legend behind the day tells of a Roman soldier, Saint Martin of Tours, who cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar during a storm – after which the clouds parted and the sun began to shine. The Portuguese call it “Verão de São Martinho” – St. Martin’s Summer – a brief spell of warmth that often graces mid-November.
Rounding off the season is Lagos’ Feira Franca, typically held in the second half of November. Though the 2025 dates have yet to be confirmed, the event is a local favourite.
