The Festa da Cereja is an annual celebration held in the picturesque village of Alcongosta, in the municipality of Fundão, dedicated to the region's renowned cherries. This traditional festival transforms the village into a vibrant showcase of local gastronomy, where the cherry takes center stage in an array of culinary creations including liqueurs, jams, desserts, and savory dishes.
The festival typically takes place over a weekend in early to mid-June, coinciding with the peak of cherry season in the region. Fundão is celebrated throughout Portugal for producing some of the country's finest cherries, and this festival serves as both a celebration of the harvest and a tribute to the agricultural heritage of the Beira Baixa region.
Visitors can experience authentic local gastronomy through various food stalls and participating restaurants, sample traditional cherry-based products, and enjoy the stunning mountain scenery of the Serra da Gardunha. The event combines culinary excellence with cultural tradition, featuring local artisans, producers, and the warm hospitality that characterizes this historic region of central Portugal.
The Festa da Cereja represents more than just a food festival—it embodies the deep connection between Portuguese communities and their agricultural traditions, celebrating the seasonal bounty that has sustained these mountain villages for generations while promoting the exceptional quality of Fundão's cherry production to visitors from across Portugal and beyond.