The greatest night of the year is just around the corner: the St. John's festivities in Porto!

If you are lucky enough to be in Porto during the Saint John festival you should know this festivity’s most important traditions, rituals, and gastronomy. In this article, you will find everything you need to know to enjoy this incredible event!

The highlight of these festivities is the night of the 23rd to 24th June. On this night, the streets start buzzing with people and a feeling of joy. The tradition is to barbecue sardines with loud music and lots of entertainment. Another gastronomical tradition is to eat "caldo verde" (a shredded green cabbage soup) and finish the meal with a glass of good Port wine! During the night of St. John is common to see people releasing big balloons, painting the sky with hundreds of lights.

One tradition that characterizes the St. John festival is the "soft squeaky plastic hammers", used for hitting passers-by on the head, and it started by university students during the “Queima das Fitas” celebrations.

The St. John's Festivities in Porto have been celebrated in Porto for about 700 years and are part of the city’s identity. The origin of St. John's dates to the 14th century and at the beginning, it was a pagan fest, where the people worshipped the Sun god and celebrated the abundant crops. Then it was made into a Christian celebration, in honor of St. John Baptist. When it was a pagan festival one of the traditions was to hang a leek on the wall of the house for good luck, nowadays, people walk with a leek flower and touch people's faces. Another plant that is very common during this season is the potted basil, known as the "herb of the lovers". At the time of the parties, the boyfriends offer the girlfriends a potted basil. In addition to the plant, the vase also has a paper carnation and a small flag with a popular verse alluding to love. Offering a basil is almost like making a vow or a request. The correct way to feel the fragrance of the potted basil is to pass the hand gently on the plant and then smell the hand.

At midnight there's an incredible firework display on the Douro River. Watch a beautiful symphony of bright colors that make the delight of everyone, on board a cruise with privileged views of the city or a cruise with dinner included. And if you want to take the party with you to the river, boarding our exclusive party boat could be an excellent option. 

After the fireworks, the crowd walks along the river from Ribeira to Foz do Douro or the Matosinhos beach, where they wait to see the sunrise. 

Here's the program for the 2024 St John's festivities

• Fun spaces, from June 7 to 30, in Alameda das Fontainhas, Jardim António Calém and Avenida D. Carlos I 

• St. John's Community Waterfall - from June 12 to 30, at Bolhão Market; take part in workshops - from May 31 to June 2, during the Children's Festival, on June 4 and 5, at Oficina Brâmica, and on June 7 and 8, at Bolhão Market 

• Free concerts in various parishes: 

  Foz (Esplanada do Castelo) - Zé Amaro, June 14 

  Miragaia (Largo da Praia) - Jorge Guerreiro, June 14 

  Massarelos (Largo António Calém) - Bandalusa, on June 14, and Iniciadores, on June 22; Cais das Pedras - Zézé Fernandes, on June 15

  Paranhos (Casa de Salgueiros parking lot) - Bandaneia, on June 15, and Quim Barreiros, on June 21

  Bonfim - Diapasão, on June 15, Os Solitários, on June 22, and Delta 7 + Duo Impakto, on June 23 

  Ramalde (Sarah Afonso Garden) - Novo Século, on June 15, and Siga a Farra, on June 21

  Campanhã (Praça da Corujeira) - Krystal Band, on June 15th, and Minhotos Marotos and Marcus Levy, on June 23rd  

• Arruada de Ranchos - June 15, from 3pm, in the city center 

• "Flores de Manjerico" installation - from June 19 to 22, in Praça do General Humberto Delgado 

• Rusgas and Arruadas - on June 22, from 9pm, in the historic part of the city and in Praça do General Humberto Delgado; followed by a concert by fado singer Lenita Gentil

• Free concerts on three stages on the 23rd: 

  Largo do Amor de Perdição (Cordoaria) - Fernando Correia Marques, at 10pm, and Augusto Canário, after midnight 

  Palácio de Cristal Gardens - Ana Moura, at 10pm, and Orquestra Bamba Social, after midnight 

  Casa da Música - José Pinhal Post-Mortem Experience, at 10pm, and DJ sets by Hipster Pimba and Pop'lar, after midnight, near the Boavista traffic circle 

• Fireworks - June 23, at midnight, lasting 16 minutes 

• Concert by the Portuguese Symphonic Band - June 24, at 4pm, in the Acoustic Shell of the Crystal Palace Gardens. Free admission 

Don’t forget to bring your plastic hammer and make the most of the night.

Join St. John and other festivals celebrations in Porto.