February will mark the return of the Algarve’s iconic Almond Blossom Festival (Festival das Amendoeiras em Flor) to Alta Mora, a picturesque village in Castro Marim.
The event has become a highly anticipated winter tradition that shines the spotlight on the beauty of the Algarve’s almond blossom-covered landscapes.
Over three days (February 6-8), residents and visitors will be invited to explore these landscapes at the peak of the almond blossom season.
Hiking remains at the heart of the festival, with four marked walking routes of six, nine, 12 and 20 kilometres, designed for different levels of participants. Online registration is required.
The festival’s blends tradition, ethnography, folk and world music, according to organisers. The 2026 line-up includes performances by Coletivo Capela, Malino, Eiró, Nuno Carpinteiro and Rubén Díez, Mar de Fora, DJ Catadiscos and Cantadeira, alongside street entertainment from groups such as Sofia Pimentão, Malatitsch, Serrabecos, Al-Fanfare and Bando dos Quatro.
Traditional and popular music will also be featured, with performances by Grupo Chulada da Ponte Velha, Recanto and Bela Banda, as well as Portuguese guitar players Filipe Santos and Filipe Silva and accordionist Silvino Campos. The ethnographic programme includes performances by the Azinhal Folk Group and the Voices of Almodôvar choral and ethnographic ensemble.
The local community will once again play a vital role in the event, leading a series of puppet theatre performances of A Lenda das Amendoeiras em Flor (The Legend of the Almond Trees in Bloom), dance shows, a photography exhibition created by local residents. There will also be activities designed especially for children.
One of the highlights of the event promises to be the unveiling of a giant torta de amêndoa, one of the Algarve’s most traditional cake rolls, created in collaboration with the Hotel and Tourism School of Vila Real de Santo António.
The festival will also feature a street market, an artisan village, bread and basket-making workshops and almond tree planting activities, involving more than 50 artisans.
Admission is free for children up to the age of 10. Tickets cost €2.50 for ages 11 to 14 and €4 for adults, available on site and online.
Organised by the Associação Recreativa, Cultural e Desportiva dos Amigos da Alta Mora, the festival is supported by the municipal council of Castro Marim, the Odeleite parish council and the Algarve tourism board (RTA), with additional funding from European programmes under Algarve 2030.
