For those who love cinema, Vila do Conde (32km from Porto) is the ideal destination. This small village by the sea is the home of Curtas Vila do Conde – International Cinema Festival. After 24 editions always with big audiences, this has become a cultural event for everyone.
In 2016 more then 20 thousand people went to the festival, 86 screenings took place, 9 concert/performance-films were presented. During 9 days, 241 films, coming from 46 countries, were screened.
Since 1993 that Curtas Vila do Conde has gradually emerged and is strengthening further his position as a promoter of the contemporaneous cinema and its trends. A role that has gave it an important place among the European cinema festivals and the recognition by its peers.
In 2017, filmmakers, screenwriters, spectators, actors, producers, press and programmers get together again in Vila do Conde, between 8 and 16 July for the 25th edition of the festival. 

23rd June’s evening is the most expected one of the year in Porto. The streets are crowded, everybody is happy and in a good mood celebrating St. John. It is a popular party where tradition is carefully followed. In churches and chapels, altars in honor of the saint are proudly decorated can be admired by everybody. In the streets, the traditional and typical ‘cascatas são joaninas’, representing the most iconic characters of the city and their lives, cannot go unnoticed by anyone passing by. Scenes in a small scale showing in a perfect way Porto’s places and old customs with the help of little ceramic figures and a lot of imagination of the authors. It is almost like traveling back in time. Douro River welcomes the traditional ‘rabelos’ boats race. From Foz until D. Luís I bridge, you can watch the competition that attracts hundreds of people to the riverbanks of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.
Open air balls and snacks stands are all over the streets, alleys and squares. The traditional ‘manjericos’, specie of basil, are everywhere and it is mandatory to buy one to have at home. The leek and the plastic hammer, used to gently beat the head of anyone passing by you, cannot be left out of this party. On the table the cabbage soup with corn bread, grilled sardines with grilled peppers salad and St. John cake are a required presence.
At midnight, the riverbanks become crowed with thousands of people to watch the firework show. A colorful and emotional unique event full of light. Side by side with hundreds of St. John balloons, made from colored paper, that are launched on the air by locals and visitors, just like says tradition.

 Between 9 and 11 June, the City Park hosts the 5th edition of NOS Primavera Sound. In a few years, this festival has become a brand image of Porto. During 3 days, both stages of the event, the grass in the park and the city itself, are full of joy, color and life. With open arms, everybody gets together to welcome who arrives, first timers and regulars. In 2015 over 40 nationalities were at the City Park for the festival and visit Porto during their free time. This 2 for 1 is the perfect example of the multiculturalism and dynamic that Porto has being showing in the past years.
With a high quality program, NOS Primavera Sound has known how to match international names with aspiring Portuguese artists. An eclectic offer that has wan the approval of those who visit us. Good music in the perfect scenery, the sea so close and all that green area surrounding us.

Serralves Museum and Gardens are the venue of one of the most important annual cultural events in Porto. Serralves em Festa has already earned a very important role in the cultural tour of those who live and visit the city.
40 hours non-stop, over 200 artistic events with free entrance make Serralves em Festa an unique event in the cultural local and national scene. With a diverse program, it presents you with a cultural offer where performing arts interact with visual arts. Music, contemporaneous dance, performance, theatre, cinema, photography, exhibitions, guided tours and much more have an ensured presence.
Call to participate, both local and national communities accept the challenge and during almost 2 days the museum and the park are full of people. But the big celebration is not limited to the walls of Serralves, coming outside to the city streets, where it presents projects in association with Porto City Hall.
Downtown becomes an extension of this arts feast, boosting the public space and allowing a closer approximation to the locals artists and creators who were invited to be a part.
Considered by many as the biggest meeting point of those who think and program performing arts in Portugal, Serralves em Festa will have its 14th edition in 2017.