VRSA bets on a cultural summer with David Carreira, Átoa, Sara Correia and José Cid

The municipality of Vila Real de Santo António (VRSA) brings summer back to life with a rich and diverse agenda, which runs through the months of July, August and September, featuring several concerts.

From music to the arts, from sports to traditions, the “Verão VRSA 2025” Agenda invites residents and visitors to experience the municipality with intensity, culture and authenticity.

Concerts, themed parties, exhibitions, open-air cinema, pilgrimages and sporting events are part of the program, with a programme designed for all ages and spread across the three parishes of the municipality.

Summer nights once again transform VRSA's historic center into a true open-air stage.

During the month of August, the entertainment includes Flamenco Night – Noche de los Lunares (August 8), the energetic Blue Night (August 14), which will feature a concert by Átoa, the revivalist Sixties Party (August 22) and the already traditional Bye Bye Summer Party (August 28), which closes the season with a tribute show to Ivete Sangalo.

Monte Gordo also joins the celebration, with another edition of the Festa Anos 80 – Rua 80 (August 23), and with the vibrant Noite Branca, scheduled for August 16, which will feature the show «I Love Reggaeton», dedicated to the greatest hits of the Latin genre.

The music will be performed across various stages and genres, with a highlight being the Lusitano Summer Fest, between July 25th and 27th, at the Francisco Gomes Socorro Playing Field, with names such as Sara Correia, Fábio Lagarto, Íris, Banda DFB, As Vozes – Tribute to Portuguese Music and the Sérgio Peres Orchestra.

Free entry cycles return to the Jardim da Avenida da República:

Sounds in the Garden, at 10:30 pm: • August 9 – Branko ( warm-up and close party with DJ set with Micáh) • August 30th – MXGPU ( warm-up and close party with DJ set with DANZ)

Guadiana Jazz, at 7:30 pm: • August 3 – Fish Memory

• August 24 – Carlos Bica Quartet 11:11

Now in Cacela Velha, the 14th edition of Clássica em Cacela has the baroque cello as its theme and offers two intimate concerts in the Church of Cacela Velha, always at 9:30 pm:

• July 31 – Ensemble Tons Parlantes • August 7 – Ensemble Ayres Extemporae

Wednesday nights are reserved for Cinema na Rua, between July 23 and August 27, with outdoor screenings in Monte Gordo, Cacela Velha and VRSA.

The cultural offering extends to dance and theater shows, such as: • “Little Red Riding Hood” (July 19 and 20), by the Academy of Contemporary Ballet

• «Essence of Seville: Soul, Flamenco and Tradition», by the Academia de Baile Garcia Diaz (July 26, 9:30 pm, CCAA)

In September, GNR (September 20) and a tribute show to Carlos Paredes (September 26) will take the stage as part of the Sons de Dentro series. These events will also feature comedy by André do Karaté, with the stand-up show "Acesso Restrito" (Restricted Access) (September 27) at the António Aleixo Cultural Center.

VRSA's summer program also celebrates territory and collective memory.

Highlights include the artistic installation “Conversas no Poial”, at CIIPC, in Santa Rita, and the exhibition “The Algarve in Segismundo Pinto’s Ex-Libris”, which opens on August 2nd.

The 10th Lower Guadiana History Conference, on September 12th and 13th, reinforces the municipality's role in preserving and promoting its cultural heritage.

Tradition and religiosity mark the rhythm of many towns in the municipality, with festivals that combine devotion, musical entertainment and pyromusical displays:

• August 14-17 Festivities of Our Lady of the Assumption (Cacela Velha) – Clemente (August 14)

• August 25-29 Festivities of Saint John of Degola (Manta Rota) – Emanuel (August 29)

• September 4-7 Festivities of Our Lady of the Incarnation (Vila Real de Santo António) – José Cid (7 September)

• September 10-14 Festivities of Our Lady of Sorrows (Monte Gordo) – David Carreira (September 14)

Sports activities are also present, with events such as the 26th Monte Gordo Bay Race (August 10) and the São João da Degola March (August 24).

The summer also includes tennis and paddle tennis tournaments, the Ultimate Frisbee Championship (September 13th and 14th) and health promotion activities such as Mexe-te ao Luar and Manhãs em Movimento.

Fairs and markets maintain the summer spirit and the vibrancy of local commerce. Traditional craft shows, book fairs, flea markets, and events like the Autumn Market on September 28th take place in various locations throughout the municipality, notably Monte Gordo, Manta Rota, and the historic center of VRSA.

Please note that the “Summer Agenda” is an initiative of the Vila Real de Santo António City Council , organized in conjunction with the Parish Councils, associations and local entities.

All events are free to enter.