Your must-have guide to live music, DJ parties and festivals during July and August
We love to party in Portugal, and although Carvoeiro might look like a sleepy seaside resort during the day, you’ll be spoiled for choice for things to do when the sun goes down.
There’s live music every night on the main square in front of the beach with the Arte Viva Duo on Mondays and DJ João Sousa on Tuesdays; Ricardo Sousa is on rotation with a new, not yet confirmed artist on Wednesdays; DJ Mike or Alexandre Ramos on Thursdays; Jorge Rodrigues on Fridays; DJ Alexandre Ramos or Mike on Saturday nights and Ricardo Sousa on Sundays. These performances are sponsored by the restaurants on the main square and will take place for most of the summer period with a brief break between August 11t and 15, when the Sons do Atlântico World Music Festival will take place with a spectacular fireworks show on the 15th to mark the end of the festival.
During Summer, Tivoli Carvoeiro’s Sky Bar will host a fantastic programme of weekly themed parties and Sunsets, with live music performances and exclusive signature cocktails.
Kicking off the festivities, July 20 welcomes the ‘70s, ‘80s & ‘90s Weekend, while the 27th and 28th will be a Fado & Chill Out Weekend; August 1 and 2 will see the New York House Weekend while The Best of Brazil Weekend will take place on August 10 and 11. The next weekend (17 & 18) hosts the Classic Ibiza Lounge Weekend, followed by the London Funk Time Weekend on 24 and 25, while the weekend of August 31 and September 1 will see the Paris Chic Weekend.
Many bars host live music evenings, with Brady’s Irish Bar playing live music six days a week (Tuesday to Sunday) and the Round-Up Saloon alternating between live music and karaoke on a nightly basis. Relative newcomers Kula Bar have the South Kick Acoustic duo every Tuesday night. Manoel’s Jazz Club Carvoeiro, in Monte Carvoeiro, has live music with Tuniko Goulart every Thursday from 10pm. The Jailhouse has live music every night and an open mic session in the beer garden on Sundays from 4pm, while the five-star Monte Santo Resort has DJ Sunset sessions on Fridays with Kevin Sky. Restaurant Taste has a live singer every Thursday night and Pimenta Preta has ambient music every Wednesday with Carlos Pontes.
Sons do Atlântico (Photo by CMLagoa)
Slightly further afield you’ll find the very popular beach bar and live music venue, Club Nau on Praia Grande beach in Ferragudo. The Magic Sundays are host to a variety of cover bands who perform to a packed house every Sunday, all year, however, in the summer it’s a non-stop party venue with live music every night from the middle of July when their fabulous summer festival takes place. On the July 15, the free festival opens with Ben and the Pirates, 5EX Band and DJ Alex, followed by The Presidents, Os Compotas and The Flashback Brothers on the 16th and closing with Daddy Jack, Le Plante Mutante and Zé Black. Check their Facebook page for full listings as they have music on practically every night in July and August. The artists are on rotation and include DJ Just, Mad Cats, Martin the Flying Dutchman, Jig Saw Gig, The Links, Stereo Jumble, Nicole Silver Band and BB Kween.
Rei das Praias will be hosting regular sunset/DJ parties throughout the summer on Fridays from 8pm until late, with special themed nights like Rose Caneiros Sunset, dress code pink, on July 13, a vintage Hendricks party on August 3, White Party on the 10th and the green, Mojito party on the 17th to mention a few.
Just over the bridge into Portimão Marina, you’ll find NoSoloÁgua. It’s an absolute haven for club music lovers and beach festival fans. They have live music on in the pool bar and too many parties to mention in the beach bar. Check out their Facebook page to keep up to date with their jam-packed schedule.
NoSoloÁgua
The Lota Cool Market, in Portimão, takes place between the July 18 and 22. This is a five-day event packed with entertainment, art, design, gourmet and street food just at the entrance to Portimão’s riverbank, from the old bridge.
Lota Cool Market (Photo by Município de Portimão)
The Portimão Sardine Festival from August 1-5 is the most famous sardine festival in the Algarve. The once vibrant fishing port used to make its living from these tasty and nutritious fish and celebrates them with a traditional festival of music and entertainment and lots of char-grilled sardines of course.
Portimão Sardine Festival (Photo by Município de Portimão)
Between August 17 and 18, visit the Summer Sound Portimão. This Electro-Music Festival at NosoloÁgua is a day and night event over two days featuring a selection of international DJs, in collaboration with MTV Summer Sessions.
There are also plenty of events for the little ones. Kids of all ages love a pirate, and there are two chances to get into costume and interact with some pirates in the seaside resorts of Senhora da Rocha, between July 20 and 24, and in Alvor between August 24 and 28. Bring your eyepatch along and practice your ‘Ahoy, matey’ call during Pirate Week.
And last, but certainly not least, the Silves Medieval Fair, which usually takes place in mid-August. Probably the biggest and most popular summer festival in the region, this event should definitely be on your list of things to do in the Algarve. The old Moorish capital of the region turns off its lights, hits the switch on all things neon, dresses in medieval garb and celebrates the town’s rich history in a lively and fun fair.
The choice of venues and acts is getting better and better every year, and with a variety ranging from acoustic guitar to full-on electronic music beach festivals, the Algarve is the place to be this summer!
Text: Mia Wallace
