The 15th edition of the music and dance festival returns to the Largo de São Carlos between July 6 and 27.

Festival ao Largo, the music and dance festival known for livening up Lisbon’s summer nights with dazzling performances, is back on São Carlos Square between July 6 and 27 with an even broader schedule.

Sponsored by Millenium BCP and the Lisbon Marriott Hotel, this year’s event includes 14 live performances that kick off on July 6 (Thursday) with the Companhia Nacional de Bailado. Over three nights, the national ballet company will present two contemporary pieces that “symbolically mark the end of the current season of the company”.

The first show is “Symphony of Sorrows”, choreographed by Miguel Ramalho, followed by “Cantata”, a performance that reflects Italian popular and musical traditions by Italian Mauro Bigonzetti. It will be “a kind of community party”, guarantees the organisation.

Also confirmed are performances by the “LaBoratório Ópera 1 ‒ An experience in São Carlos” educational project (July 11), a concert featuring classic themes from baroque music to the best-known cinematic compositions, and “Lisbon- Kabul: Music Itineraries of Wonder” (July 12), a project comprising young Afghan musicians.

On July 14 and 15, the Portuguese Symphony Orchestra and the National São Carlos Theatre Choir will perform in a concert dedicated to North American composer George Gershwin.

The programme also features two premieres: a fado by Portuguese guitar soloist Miguel Amaral and a song by composer Nuno Côrte-Real.

The event closes with the “Território VI” programme, an initiative that has significantly contributed to the beginning of young dancers’ careers.

The event is free of admission, and the complete schedule can be consulted here.