Carnival gets its own school break in Portugal: in 2027, state schools close February 8-10. Kids parade through their neighborhoods in costume the Friday before, and Chapitô's circus students lead one around the castle hill. The float parades are a short trip out of town. Go in the afternoon; the nights turn into adult street parties. Here's what we checked, from satirical floats in Torres Vedras to samba in Sesimbra.
Chapitô, the circus school on the slope below São Jorge Castle, has taken its carnival into the streets of Lisbon for more than two decades. Students in clown makeup and costumes juggle, drum and dance through the old town's lanes, joined by local schools, associations and neighbors.
Families can watch from the curb or come in costume and join in. Each year has its own theme.
A street carnival with roots in the 16th century, known across Portugal for its satire. Kids watch the satirical floats, wave at the Carnival Kings, and meet giant-headed cabeçudos, Zés-Pereiras drum bands and the matrafonas, local men dressed as women. Day and night parades fill the town with music.
It suits kids who like noise and costumes; with hundreds of thousands of revelers, it is not for crowd-shy kids.
Loures, a town just north of Lisbon, throws a big, old-school carnival. The main draw is the parade: floats and troupes in feathers and sequins moving through the town center to a live band.
It closes with a satirical funeral for the Carnival King, a reading of his will and fireworks, a late night that suits older kids best.
Sesimbra, a fishing town on the Setúbal peninsula, throws a carnival built around Brazilian-style samba schools. Costumed groups and drum sections parade along the seafront, and kids can watch from the curb or come in their own costumes.
It suits families who like music and crowds. Toddlers who dislike loud drums may do better at the quieter kids' events in the program.
Sesimbra is a working fishing town on a south-facing bay of the Setúbal peninsula. Its two town beaches, Praia do Ouro and Praia da Califórnia, usually have calm water and gently sloping sand, and Praia do Ouro adds a playground and a sports field.
Above town, the medieval castle has walls to walk along and wide sea views. The Fortress of Santiago on the seafront houses a maritime museum.
Carnival gets its own school break in Portugal: in 2027, state schools close February 8-10. Kids parade through their neighborhoods in costume the Friday before, and Chapitô's circus students lead one around the castle hill. The float parades are a short trip out of town. Go in the afternoon; the nights turn into adult street parties. Here's what we checked, from satirical floats in Torres Vedras to samba in Sesimbra.
Chapitô, the circus school on the slope below São Jorge Castle, has taken its carnival into the streets of Lisbon for more than two decades. Students in clown makeup and costumes juggle, drum and dance through the old town's lanes, joined by local schools, associations and neighbors.
Families can watch from the curb or come in costume and join in. Each year has its own theme.
A street carnival with roots in the 16th century, known across Portugal for its satire. Kids watch the satirical floats, wave at the Carnival Kings, and meet giant-headed cabeçudos, Zés-Pereiras drum bands and the matrafonas, local men dressed as women. Day and night parades fill the town with music.
It suits kids who like noise and costumes; with hundreds of thousands of revelers, it is not for crowd-shy kids.
Loures, a town just north of Lisbon, throws a big, old-school carnival. The main draw is the parade: floats and troupes in feathers and sequins moving through the town center to a live band.
It closes with a satirical funeral for the Carnival King, a reading of his will and fireworks, a late night that suits older kids best.
Sesimbra, a fishing town on the Setúbal peninsula, throws a carnival built around Brazilian-style samba schools. Costumed groups and drum sections parade along the seafront, and kids can watch from the curb or come in their own costumes.
It suits families who like music and crowds. Toddlers who dislike loud drums may do better at the quieter kids' events in the program.
Sesimbra is a working fishing town on a south-facing bay of the Setúbal peninsula. Its two town beaches, Praia do Ouro and Praia da Califórnia, usually have calm water and gently sloping sand, and Praia do Ouro adds a playground and a sports field.
Above town, the medieval castle has walls to walk along and wide sea views. The Fortress of Santiago on the seafront houses a maritime museum.
