Óbidos festival celebrates ‘ginja’ liqueur with live music and tastings

One of Portugal’s most iconic liqueurs will take centre stage later this month as the village of Amoreira, near the popular medieval town of Óbidos, hosts the 11th edition of Festival da Ginja.

The free event, running from June 26 to 28, promises three days of live music, food, crafts and, of course, tastings of the region’s famous cherry liqueur.

Held in the parish of Amoreira, a short drive from Óbidos, the festival celebrates the centuries-old tradition of ginja production in the Oeste region.

Visitors will have the opportunity to sample different varieties of the sweet, ruby-red liqueur, browse craft stalls and enjoy regional specialities at a series of traditional food stands, known locally as tasquinhas.

Ginja, made by infusing sour cherries in alcohol and sugar, is one of Portugal’s most iconic drinks and is particularly associated with Óbidos. It is often served in small edible chocolate cups, adding to its appeal among both locals and tourists.

Festivities begin on Thursday, June 26, at 7pm with the official opening ceremony and the traditional “Ginja de Honra” welcome toast.

Live entertainment starts at 8.30pm with a performance by Pé d’Areia, followed by Cauda da Tesoura at 10pm. The festival site will remain open until 2am.

On Friday, gates open at 3pm. Performances by children from Jardim de Infância Amoreira, Bandinha Oeste Brass and Cavaquinhos das Gaeiras will lead up to the evening’s headline concert by Fernando Ribeiro at 10pm.

The final day, Saturday, June 28, also begins at 3pm and includes a guided visit to the Ginja Vila das Rainhas distillery, offering visitors a closer look at how the renowned liqueur is produced.

Entertainment continues throughout the afternoon with performances by Rancho Esperança na Juventude and Brass Dass before Rodrigo Sobreiro closes the festival with a concert at 9pm.

Alongside the musical programme, organisers have scheduled a gastronomy competition showcasing local ingredients and culinary traditions.

With free entry and a family-friendly atmosphere, the Festival da Ginja has become one of the highlights of Amoreira’s summer calendar and offers visitors a chance to discover one of Portugal’s most distinctive flavours.

Inês Lopes

Newspaper editor at The Portugal Resident