Rock, jazz or techno, Lisbon Portugal is the holiday hotspot for music festivals this summer

If unpredictable weather, flaky ticketing and high prices are putting you off your festival game in the UK, the time is right to look further afield. Lisbon has a fun-packed summer of festivals lined up this year, covering the gamut of music tastes, from electro pop to jazz and hard rock – and all come with a wellingtons-not-required guarantee. Here’s your guide to music festivals in Portugal 2024…

Rock in Rio Lisboa, June 15 – 16, 22- 23

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Rock in Rio Lisboa 2024 is taking over Lisbon’s Tejo Park for the first time with a lively four-day festival from June 15-23. We’re promised the park will transform into a ‘city of rock’, with over 12 hours of daily performances across different stages. The line-up includes Ed Sheeran, Scorpions, Jonas Brothers, Doja Cat, Ne-Yo, Camila Cabello, and Calum Scott. There are also family-friendly activities such as a snowboarding track and a dedicated Kids Space. Tickets start at €84 per day, rockinriolisboa.

Lisb-on  June 28 -30

If disco is more your scene, why not head to this electronic festival that celebrates disco, house, and techno? Held at Jardim Keil do Amaral in the city’s beloved green park, Monsanto, the event attracts an international audience and is renowned for its commitment to sustainability and cultural diversity. Daily tickets from €60, seetickets.com.

Evil Live, June 29 – 30

The Evil Live Festival, taking place in Lisbon’s Altice Arena on June 29 – 30, is the place to be for metal, thrash and punk acts. Headlining this year are Megadeth, Avenged Sevenfold, Machine Head, and Kerry King of Slayer fame, a line up sure to appeal to both classic and contemporary metal fans. Tickets cost from €65 per day, evillive.rocks.

Sumol Summer Fest 5-6 July

Sumol Summer Fest ignites São João Beach on Lisbon’s Costa da Caparica from July 5-6, blending  rap, hip hop, and international pop with skate, art, and dance, this year’s line-up features Morad, Teto, Offset, Wiu, Yendry, Lon3r Johny, and King Bigs. Day tickets are available from €45, sumolsummerfest. 

Festival Jardins Do Marquês, July 4 -10

Culture and cuisine are the big attractions of Festival Jardins do Marquês. This refined musical experience takes place over seven nights in July and is set against the picturesque backdrop of the Palácio do Marquês de Pombal’s gardens in Oeiras. Attendees get to enjoy a unique gastronomic experience, alongside a high-quality line-up of national and international artists, across two stages. Day tickets start from €25, jardinsdomarques.pt.

CoolJazz, July 9-13

Located among the heritage sites of Cascais on Lisbon’s coast, CoolJazz offers a unique blend of music, nature, and wellness. Headliners include Air, Chaka Khan, Diana Krall and Jamie Cullum. Tickets from €30 per night, cooljazz.pt. 

Super Bock Super Rock, July 18-20

A multi-genre attraction that offers both the biggest international acts and stars from Portugal’s unique musical scene. This year’s roster boasts Italian rockers Måneskin, hip hop star 21 Savage, and former Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morrello. The festival takes place near the beach at Meco in Sesimbra, with direct transport available from the city. Day tickets from €72, superbocksuperrock.pt.

NOS Alive, July 11-13 

NOS Alive returns to Lisbon’s Passeio Marítimo de Algés for its 16th edition, with a three-day fest featuring Dua Lipa, Pearl Jam, Arcade Fire, Jessie Ware, Gloria Groove, Tyla, and Sofi Tukker. Tickets start from €79 per day, nosalive.com.

Meo Kalorama, August 29-31 

Meo Kalorama in Lisbon rounds off the summer festival season in Parque da Bela Vista, one of the city’s largest urban parks. The shindig spans three nights and boasts more than 50 acts, with headliners including Yard Act, English Teacher, Ezra Collective, Massive Attack, Death Cab For Cutie and The Smile. Tickets cost from €145 for a three-day pass, meokalorama.pt.

For more information, check out www.visitlisboa.com.