The Algarve Tourism Board is trying to break the region’s seasonality by extending its summer events programme throughout September. With the goal of keeping tourists and local residents busy after the summer season, the planned activities include sports, music, crafts and food events, as well as a few themed parties.
The programme kicked off yesterday (September 5) with the Loulé World Cup 2013, one of the world’s largest trampoline and tumbling competitions, which will be gathering top gymnasts at the city’s municipal sports centre until September 7.
Starting today, September 6, the third edition of the Festival Adentro music festival will enliven Faro’s historic centre, with several world music concerts taking place in the region’s capital. The D. Afonso III square will be welcoming three Portuguese bands (Trio Alcatifa, Fad’Nu and Pás de Probléme) and one Spanish group (The Burnt Old Man) until Saturday, September 7. Whilst the concerts are scheduled for 10.30pm, the festival also includes a fair starting at 9.30pm, with several stands at the Mercado da Traça market selling handicrafts, regional products and second-hand items.
Moving further west, food will be the main theme of the Festas do Pescador, which will take place in Albufeira between September 6-8. Alongside music and folklore performances, the stars of the event will be traditional fish and shellfish dishes, such as xerém, which will be available for tastings from 6pm at the Praça dos Pescadores square. Entrance is free.
In the meantime, Monchique will be hosting the handicrafts and food fair Artechique at Largo dos Chorões square. Until September 8, visitors will have the opportunity to get to know the gastronomy and crafts of this picturesque Algarve town. Organised by Monchique’s parish council, the event will showcase some of the town’s most traditional creations and products, including wicker baskets, traditional lace, medronho firewater and honey. Also on the food front, the first edition of the Mediterranean Diet Fair will be held in Tavira until Sunday, September 8. The event aims to promote the Mediterranean diet in the running for the title of UNESCO’s World Intangible Heritage, and will include a farmers’ market, walks, lectures, food workshops, blind tastings, music events and exhibits, amongst many other activities.
Celebrating a small and rural corner of the Algarve, the Festas de Alcoutim are a regular event in the region’s calendar, and this year will be no exception. Taking place between September 13-15, Alcoutim’s quay and Praça da República square will receive most of the planned entertainment.
According to the Tourism Board, the events will be part of the leaflet “Algarve com Eventos”, whose goal is to promote the initiatives of local town halls and other Algarve entities in an easy-to-read, pocket-size leaflet. The document is also available for download at www.visitalgarve.pt.
