Halloween falls on Saturday, 31 October this year, and Portugal has plenty planned for the weekend. From costume parties and electronic music in Lisbon to pumpkin-carving workshops in Porto and family entertainment in the Algarve, events are taking place across the country, with some continuing into Sunday, 1 November. Here is a selection of places worth considering if you have yet to make plans.
With Halloween falling on a Saturday in 2026, the celebrations extend well beyond a single evening. Restaurants, cultural venues and leisure centres have put together programmes for different ages, while Lisbon and Porto offer plenty of options for those looking for a night out.
For families, some of the most interesting activities are taking place during the day, with creative workshops, themed attractions and special events at established venues. Many require advance booking, although several free activities are also available.
Halloween in Lisbon: parties, dancing and a haunted reptile house
Lisbon is an obvious destination for anyone looking for Halloween nightlife. Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré remain popular areas for an evening of bars and clubs, particularly on a Saturday, when the streets are already busy with weekend visitors.
On Saturday, 31 October, Pátio da Galé, on Lisbon’s Praça do Comércio, will host Bloom Presents Monkey Project 1, an electronic music event running from 4pm until 4am the following morning. The event is expected to draw electronic music fans and Halloween partygoers to one of the most distinctive venues in central Lisbon. Tickets are available through the 3cket platform.
For a different kind of Halloween experience, LU.CA – Teatro Luís de Camões is hosting Baile Fantástico 2 on 31 October and 1 November. The event brings together music, dancing and costumes in a setting designed for younger audiences and families.
Lisbon Zoo 3 is also joining the celebrations. On both Saturday and Sunday, from 10am to 6pm, its reptile house will become a Halloween-themed environment, complete with giant cobwebs, games, challenges and guided visits.
Rather than relying entirely on imaginary monsters, the programme introduces visitors to real animals that often feature in frightening stories, including reptiles, amphibians and arachnids. The activities are included in the zoo’s regular admission ticket, making this an option for families who want to combine Halloween entertainment with a full day out.
Porto: pumpkin carving and creative workshops for children
In Porto, two of the most appealing daytime activities are taking place at familiar cultural venues.
On Saturday, Mercado do Bolhão will host a Jack-o’-lantern 4 workshop from 11am to 1pm. Families will be invited to design and carve their own pumpkins, turning them into Halloween characters before taking their creations home.
The workshop is intended for children aged five and over, accompanied by an adult. Participation is free, with places subject to the available capacity. The activity is part of the market’s regular Sábados em Família programme, which brings creative workshops into one of Porto’s best-known public spaces.
Another free activity is scheduled at the Biblioteca Municipal Almeida Garrett, in the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal. Its workshop, Cadáveres Muito Esquisitos 5, invites families to invent and create unusual creatures inspired by surreal stories.
Sessions take place on 31 October from 10am to noon and again from 3pm to 5pm. The workshop is suitable for families with children over three, and admission is free subject to capacity.
For adults, the city’s bars and music venues are also hosting Halloween-themed evenings. As with Lisbon, those planning a night out should check the individual venue’s programme, admission rules and ticket availability rather than assume that every event welcomes walk-in visitors.
Halloween in the Algarve: lakeside dinners, costumes and family attractions
The Algarve has one of the most varied Halloween programmes this year, particularly around Quinta do Lago and Portimão.
At Quinta do Lago 6, celebrations begin before the weekend. On Friday, 30 October, KOKO is hosting its Spooktacular Costume Parade, with face painting, a magic show and an afternoon parade for children in their Halloween outfits. The main parade is scheduled for 2.45pm.
That evening, Casa do Lago is organising a Haunted Dinner overlooking the lake, with a buffet, live music and entertainment for younger guests. The event runs from 6pm until 11pm.
On Saturday, the resort’s mini-golf course will take on a Halloween theme. Spooky Mini Golf runs throughout the day, with additional children’s activities, including face painting and balloon modelling, scheduled between 3.30pm and 5.30pm.
For families looking for a full day of indoor entertainment, Portimão Arena is hosting FunDay Halloween 7 on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November.
The venue will be filled with inflatable attractions, trampolines, obstacle courses, slides and play areas for different ages. Younger children have their own dedicated space, while older visitors can try some of the larger attractions.
FunDay runs from 10am to 7pm on both days. Standard admission costs €19 in advance or €21 at the venue, while Gold tickets, which include access to additional activities, cost €23 in advance or €26 on the day. Children aged two and over require a ticket, while up to two accompanying adults per child can enter free of charge.
The indoor setting also makes FunDay a practical choice if the weather proves unsuitable for outdoor celebrations.
Other Halloween plans around Portugal
Beyond Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve, Halloween events are taking place in several other parts of the country.
Coimbra’s university community traditionally gives the city an active nightlife scene, and Halloween-themed student gatherings are among the options for those looking to go out on Friday or Saturday evening. Individual organisers should be consulted for confirmed locations, ticket prices and age restrictions.
In Madeira, Funchal’s hotels, bars and entertainment venues also offer Halloween-themed programmes, including costume parties and activities for children.
Visitors planning to spend Halloween on the islands should check local event listings before travelling, as programmes and availability may change closer to the date.
What to know before heading out
Most Halloween events take place on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October, although several family activities continue into Sunday, 1 November.
Free workshops in Porto are particularly attractive for families, but admission depends on capacity, so arriving early may be worthwhile. Ticketed parties, dinners and special attractions are better booked ahead, especially with Halloween falling on a Saturday.
It is also worth checking whether a venue has a minimum age requirement. Some Halloween programmes are designed specifically for younger children, while late-night parties may be restricted to adults.
For those interested in the Portuguese customs associated with the same weekend, our separate feature on Halloween and All Saints’ Day in Portugal explores the traditions that continue alongside modern Halloween celebrations.
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- https://www.zoo.pt/pt/visitar/agenda/halloween/ ↩︎
- https://mercadobolhao.pt/eventos/1016-sabados-em-familia-oficina-de-jack-o-lanterns/ ↩︎
- https://www.agenda-porto.pt/evento/cadaveres-muito-esquisitos-oficina-criativa/ ↩︎
- https://www.quintadolago.com/en/blog/halloween-quinta-do-lago/ ↩︎
- https://www.vivaportimao.pt/a-nao-perder/evento?idEvento=3163 ↩︎
