Which arraial has the most room for kids?

Alfama's is the biggest and the most packed. The Arraial da Misericórdia sits on the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, an open terrace above Bairro Alto with more space to move and a view over the city.

Can we see the Marchas Populares the same night?

Yes. The neighborhood marchas parade down Avenida da Liberdade on Santo António's eve, and families often walk on to an arraial afterward. We cover the parade on its own page.

Festas de Lisboa and Santos Populares with Kids, 1 of 7

UpcomingFestival

Festas de Lisboa: Santo António Street Parties, Sardines and Manjericos

When: Dates to be announced
Ages: All ages
Price: Free, food and drink extra

Festas de Lisboa: Santo António Street Parties, Sardines and Manjericos photo 3

Festas de Lisboa: Santo António Street Parties, Sardines and Manjericos photo 4

Festas de Lisboa: Santo António Street Parties, Sardines and Manjericos photo 5

FestivalSanta Maria Maior

Where

Santa Maria Maior, Alfama

Ages

All ages

Setting

Outdoors

What you need to know

Several neighborhoods, not one venue: Alfama, Mouraria and Graça each run their own arraial, so you can pick a less crowded one
Santo António's night is the peak, when Alfama's lanes are shoulder to shoulder and the parties run very late
Steep, cobbled streets in Alfama and Mouraria, so a baby carrier beats a stroller

About

Lisbon's old neighborhoods turn their squares and stairways into arraiais: street parties under paper garlands, with grills smoking sardines and music for dancing late. Kids take in the bunting and the crowds, and many families bring home a manjerico, a pot of basil with a paper flower and a short verse. It suits kids who handle noise, crowds and late nights, less so toddlers who need an early bedtime.