on april 25 1974, portugal woke up to the sound of a song on the radio. a signal.
soldiers took to the streets, but not to fight the people.
they came to end 48 years of dictatorship, almost without a single shot fired.
it became known as the carnation revolution, after people placed red carnations in the soldiers' rifles instead of bullets.
before, there was no freedom of speech, no right to vote, political prisoners, a colonial war that was draining the country. people lived under fear for decades.
april 25th changed all of that. it brought democracy, freedom of expression, the right to organise, to dream out loud. it opened portugal to the world and to itself.
the values it stands for are simple but hard-won: freedom, democracy, and the belief that people (ordinary people) can change things.
52 years on, it's still celebrated every year. not just as history, but as a reminder.
this weeked, take part in one of the celebrations.
🗓 what’s on this week
thu 23
🛍️ 9am mercado da baixa street market at rua alexandre braga
🎺 6pm last dance: art market and exhibition at studio sparks
🤝 7pm porto future tech - casual networking at a fábrica da picaria
🌱 7pm vegan geeks meet at o macrobiótico
🍺 8pm crafting & craft beer night at letraria downtown
🎤 9pm a lemonade stand up (donation) at nope bar
🎶 9:30pm jazz concert at espaço porta-jazz
🎶 9:30pm gorjão concert at casa da música café
fri 24
🛍️ 9am mercado da baixa at rua alexandre braga
🌿 3pm ecofeminist afternoon at parque urbano da pasteleira
🎨 4pm estufia: dj sets + art shop opening + exhibition (3€) at temporada
🎉 6pm 2nd anniversary of base — free workshops + open party at base
⚽ 7pm porto foosball meet up at yummy kebab
🎶 9:30pm jam session hosted by jopecoe at espaço porta-jazz
🎤 10pm popular celebrations of porto — carlão and coral de letras concerts + fireworks at avenida dos aliados
🍺 10pm free international pubcrawl w/ local guides at baixa bar, porto
🎉 10:30pm new in porto club: meet new people in a new city (3€) at look sharp
sat 25 (freedom day - bank holiday)
🥾 9am hiking in gondomar (midões railway line and the mills of jancido) at campanha train station, porto
🏄 10am morning energy boost — power sculpt + ocean dip + live dj (30€) at edifício transparente
🛍️ 10am 9nuts at o berdinho rural market at centro comercial bombarda
🛍️ 10am ohana market at time out market
🛍️ 10am mercado do molhe at pérgola da foz
🚶 10:15am porto 10000 steps walk from francelos train station
🛍️ 11am mercado da mulherada: women’s market at the alchemist
🎨 12:30pm painting expedition into clair obscur (donation) at portal
💃 2:30pm desfile da liberdade batucada radical: freedom parade at largo soares dos reis
🎨 3pm art picnic in the park: draw, paint & hang out at parque da cidade
🎵 3pm labuta concert at avenida dos aliados
🎶 4pm vintage meetup at casa kala
🎵 4:15pm galandum galundaina concert at avenida dos aliados
🎵 6pm 3rd edition vinyl listening session (5€) at outsite mouco
🎵 7pm abril febril: emmy curl concert at concha acústica, palácio de cristal
sun 26
🛍️ 9am mercado da alegria at jardim do passeio alegre
🛼 10am skate club at praça guilherme pinto
🛍️ 11am mercado da mulherada — day 2 at the alchemist
🌿 2pm horta aberta — open garden at espaço musas
🎨 2-5pm local art market at svet space
🎵 3pm music circle: creative meetup at in the name of folk studio
🍽️ 5pm bio and slow food pop-up at funq wine
🧗 6pm bouldering meetup at são rock
mon 27
✍️ 10am monday morning writers at espaço agra, porto
🗣️ 6:30pm let's speak italian at mercado bom sucesso
tue 28
🤝 6pm learn about volunteering in porto at novo imperador cafe
🎲 6:30pm boardgames and beer at letraria downtown
♟️ 7pm social chess games at nope bar, porto
🍸 7:30pm blindfolded date experience (30€, 10% off with PORTO10)
wed 29
💻 6pm ministry of testing porto 5.0 meetup at uphold
🍽️ 6:30pm foodie book club - third edition (5€) at atelier.968
🎤 7pm 90’s theme karaoke at fino golf club
🍽️ 7:30pm meaningful meal: insightful dinner with new friends (20€) at look sharp
🔦 local spotlight
if you’re into one-of-a-kind vintage furniture, atelier tartaruga is worth a look.
each piece is unique, with its own story and character. you can browse their collection online or send them a message to arrange a visit in person.
até já,
sara
if you’re enjoying it and want to support thismustbeporto,
you can buy me a coffee or share it with a friend. it helps a lot 💙
