Held at the tip of Cape Cod in Provincetown during late June each year, the annual Portuguese Festival celebrates the vibrant culture and heritage of the Portuguese people that have made Provincetown what it is today. Read on below for more information on the Provincetown Portuguese Festival!
The Provincetown Portuguese Festival is a four-day event hosted annually throughout the town. The festival takes place on the fourth weekend of each June over the course of Thursday through Sunday.
During the Portuguese Festival, people from around the world are invited to come to Provincetown in celebration of the town’s Portuguese cultural and seafaring heritage. You and your guests can enjoy live Portuguese folk music, food, games, traditional Portuguese dancing, parades, and more, with many of the events and activities within the festival being offered for free. The event is open to attendees of all ages, with kid-friendly activities included as well.
Highlights of the event include the Portuguese Festival Parade, held on the Saturday of the festival, and the Blessing of the Fleet, held on the final day of the festival (Sunday). The Blessing of the Fleet caps off the festival, with a procession leading through town to the Bishop and a fleet of extravagantly decorated boats, each of which pass by the Bishop for the traditional New England blessing for a safe and prosperous year. The tradition dates back to the days of early European settlers, including many Portuguese sailors, who would receive the blessing before setting sail.
Learn more about the Portuguese Festival and other incredible events you can experience on Cape Cod when you contact our office and ask about reserving your stay in one of our fabulous vacation rentals today!