tradition
Santos Populares
By Silva E. OlhãoLisboa
The June festivals honouring Saints Anthony, John, and Peter, marked by grilled sardines, music, and street celebrations.
The Santos Populares are Portugal's most exuberant popular festivals, celebrated throughout June in honour of three saints: Santo António (June 13, Lisbon), São João (June 24, Porto), and São Pedro (June 29). Streets are lined with makeshift grills where thousands of sardines are charred to perfection.
Caldo verde, bifanas, and grilled chouriço round out the festival menus, washed down with wine and sangria. The Santos Populares represent the most authentic expression of Portuguese popular food culture.
