Porto’s iconic market celebrates its anniversary with a weekend of concerts, book launches, environmental initiatives, and family-friendly activities between September 18 and 19. The celebration culminates with a headline performance by David Bruno.
To mark the fourth anniversary of the building's reopening following its restoration, celebrated on September 15, Mercado do Bolhão presents an entirely free cultural program under the motto "Bolhão. No coração." ("Bolhão. In the heart.").
David Bruno’s concert closes the festivities on September 19 at 4:30 PM. The artist from Vila Nova de Gaia takes to the main staircase to present his latest album, Paradise Village, in a show featuring special guest appearances by Presto (Mind da Gap), Marlon (Os Azeitonas), and Helena Neto (Fatspoon).
Mercado do Bolhão has partnered with organizations such as Águas e Energia do Porto, Porto Ambiente, Porto Editora, Casa da Arquitectura, Coliseu do Porto, Futebol Clube do Porto, and Colorfoto to deliver a diverse program.
Additionally, the Bolhão Choir returns with its traditional anniversary performance, accompanied by four local choirs and a live band.
Among the main highlights are the launch of the book "Dicionário Ilustrado de Calão do Porto" (Illustrated Dictionary of Porto Slang), a visit from mascots Draco and Viena, and a photowalk throughout the market space.
Anniversary Program
September 14–18
40 Years of Blue Flag | 9:30 AM–5:30 PM: The Blue Flag Program celebrates 40 years dedicated to protecting, conserving, and regenerating marine and coastal ecosystems. The initiative highlights the program's criteria and the evolution of Porto’s beaches over the years, taking visitors on a journey through the city’s aquatic cultural heritage using trivia and historical photographs.
September 14–19
Drink Porto Water | 9:30 AM–5:30 PM: The "Beba Água do Porto" motorbike will be at the market promoting tap water consumption as a safe, healthy, tasty, and more economical alternative to bottled water.
September 18
Showcooking with Chef Ricardo Lanção | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM: In partnership with the National Association of Fish Canning Industries (ANICP), professor, researcher, and food heritage expert Ricardo Lanção presents a culinary demonstration in the Bolhão kitchen, preparing a rice paper cylinder with creamy tuna Russian salad and a mussel tartlet.
Vita: Water Pavilion Mascot | 3:00 PM–5:30 PM: The Water Pavilion mascot wanders through the market to take photos with the public.
Book Launch: "Dicionário Ilustrado de Calão do Porto" | 6:00 PM: Porto Editora presents the work of João Carlos Brito—teacher, writer, and Portuguese language enthusiast—which compiles and illustrates the most iconic words and expressions of the "Invicta" city (from tavern slang to coffee shop chat and football stadium chants). A dive into "tripeiro speech" for Porto natives to see themselves reflected and for visitors to discover.
September 18 & 19
Que cena! (What a Scene!) | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM: In this workshop, the Coliseu Educational Service invites young and old to combine their creativity with that of the +65 participants of the Alquimia project to transform fruits and vegetables into authentic stars.
Draco and Viena: The official mascots of Futebol Clube do Porto travel to Bolhão to celebrate the market's anniversary and take photos with visitors.
Organics: Giving Life to What’s Left Over | 10:00 AM–4:30 PM: Porto Ambiente playfully explains how to separate organic waste at home to turn it into 100% natural compost. Visitors can join the project on-site and take a bag of compost home.
September 19
Bolhão, Stories and Transformations | 10:00 AM–2:30 PM: Casa da Arquitectura invites visitors to participate in a collective artwork about the market’s history: first helping build a wooden structure, then leaving a drawing, quote, or memory celebrating the fourth anniversary of the rehabilitation of one of the city's most iconic buildings.
Photobooth with Instax Wide | 10:00 AM–2:30 PM: Colorfoto and Instax Wide offer printed photos on Instax paper to visitors, limited to available stock.
Fuji X Photowalk with Luís Barbosa | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM: A photography session around the market led by photographer Luís Barbosa (Portuguese Institute of Photography), sponsored by Colorfoto and Fujifilm. Free event with 12 spots available, requiring direct registration with Colorfoto.
Tuna da Faculdade de Letras | 1:30 PM–2:45 PM: Keeping with market anniversary traditions, the academic musical group (Tuna) from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Porto fills Bolhão with energy and academic spirit.
EcoPorto Goes to Bolhão | 2:00 PM–6:00 PM: Porto’s Center for City Circularity displays recovered objects (not for sale) alongside their backstories, and provides a technician for free repairs (subject to availability) of household appliances brought by the public.
Bolhão Choir | 3:00 PM–4:00 PM: The concert, themed "Bolhão, leaving and returning", brings together the voices of the Lira, Ar de Coro, Super Coro, and Coro Voluntarii choirs, along with local market vendors and a live band. A musical celebration connecting memories, tradition, and Northern identity in an energetic show.
Grand Concert: David Bruno and Guests | 4:30 PM–5:30 PM: The artist from Gaia joins guest performers to present his latest album Paradise Village, a Portuguese-style kitsch explosion combining sampling, instruments, and rhymes celebrating the "B-side" of Portugal.
