Alfama crowned queen of Lisbon’s Popular Marches

Alfama has reclaimed the title of Lisbon’s champion Popular March after an eight-year wait, emerging victorious in one of the city’s most beloved annual traditions at the heart of the Festas de Lisboa celebrations.

According to Sol, the historic neighbourhood won this year’s competition with the theme Os Santos Devem Estar Loucos (“The Saints Must Be Crazy”), a performance exploring the contrast between longstanding local traditions and the changes that have transformed the district in recent years.

The victory marks Alfama’s first triumph since 2018 and comes during a year in which thousands of residents and visitors once again packed Lisbon’s streets to celebrate the city’s Popular Saints festivities, centred on the feast of Santo António, Lisbon’s patron saint.

Organised by the Empresa de Gestão de Equipamentos e Animação Cultural (EGEAC), the competition is one of the highlights of the June festivities, bringing together neighbourhood groups from across the Portuguese capital in a colourful display of music, dance, costumes and community pride.

Alfama’s march, sponsored by Portuguese singer Aurea and tailor Paulo Battista, impressed judges with its blend of tradition, storytelling and artistic execution.

Alcântara (last year’s joint winner with Bairro Alto) finished in second place, while Madragoa secured third. Graça and Bairro Alto completed the top five.

Beyond the overall rankings, Alfama also collected several additional distinctions. The neighbourhood shared the award for Best Choreography with Madragoa, won Best Musicality and Best Parade on Avenida da Liberdade, and was recognised for one of the competition’s best original compositions.

The march’s song and performance resonated strongly with judges by reflecting both the enduring character of Alfama and the challenges facing one of Lisbon’s oldest districts as tourism and demographic changes continue to reshape the city.

The Popular Marches are widely regarded as the cultural centrepiece of Lisbon’s Santo António celebrations. Their origins date back to the early 20th century, when neighbourhood associations began organising festive processions celebrating local identity and community spirit.

Today, participation in the marches remains a matter of enormous pride for Lisbon’s traditional bairros, with preparations often taking months and involving hundreds of volunteers, performers, costume makers and musicians.

This year’s 20 competing marches had already performed at the Meo Arena in late May under the theme “Somos Lisboa. Somos Europa” (“We Are Lisbon. We Are Europe”) before taking part in the iconic parade through Avenida da Liberdade on the eve of Santo António.

For many Lisboetas, the marches represent far more than a competition. They are a celebration of neighbourhood identity and a living expression of traditions that have been passed down through generations.

The annual festivities also provide an important cultural attraction for visitors, drawing thousands of tourists eager to experience the atmosphere of decorated streets, grilled sardines, outdoor concerts and late-night celebrations that transform the capital throughout June.

According to Sol, the Festas de Lisboa programme includes more than 40 events across the city this month, ranging from concerts and open-air cinema screenings to exhibitions and multicultural festivals.

The celebrations will conclude on June 26 with a concert in the gardens of Belém Tower featuring Matias Damásio, Rita Guerra, Ivandro and Héber Marques, bringing the curtain down on another month dedicated to one of Lisbon’s most treasured traditions.

1st Alfama

2nd Alcântara

3rd Madragoa

4th: Graça

5th: Bairro Alto

6th: Beato and Bica (tied)

8th: Carnide and Olivais (tied)

10th: Mouraria

11th: Alto do Pina

12th: Marvila and Penha de França (tied)

14th: Benfica

15th: São Vicente