Agenda

The "Summer Bus" is a free transport service to the municipality's beaches during the bathing season, operating from 10 July to 31 August.

The route includes stops at the beaches of Marinhas, Esposende, Fão and Apúlia, with five daily journeys of approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, departing from and returning to São Miguel Sports Ground in Marinhas.

Departures are scheduled for 9:15 am, 10:45 am, 1:10 pm, 3:55 pm and 5:25 pm, with stops at Ofir Beach in Fão at 9:45 am, 11:15 am, 1:40 pm, 4:25 pm and 5:55 pm.

"Esposende Dances" returns with all its energy and creativity, showcasing performances entirely created and produced by local dance academies. The event celebrates the end of another academic year dedicated to culture and dance, involving hundreds of children and young people.

24 July – "ON AIR – The Frequency of Dance" | Ás do Saber Study Centre / Dance Academy

"ON AIR – The Frequency of Dance" transforms the stage into a live radio broadcast, where each dance group represents a different frequency. Throughout the performance, audiences tune into a variety of musical "stations", exploring different styles, rhythms and energies – from pop to hip-hop, from Latin to commercial dance, from the joy of the youngest dancers to the intensity of the more advanced groups.

Through dance, music and theatrical moments inspired by the world of radio, this special Dance FM broadcast demonstrates that while each frequency has its own identity, they all come together in one shared beat: a passion for dance.

Performers: Students of the Ás do Saber Dance Academy and guest performers

Artistic Direction: Hugo Fernandes and Ana Silva

25 July – "Voices" | Esposende Ballet Academy

"Voices" is a dance performance inspired by a simple question: What is a voice when there are no words? Drawing on the artistic diversity of the Esposende Ballet Academy, the performance takes the audience on a collective journey through silence, discovery and expression. From individual impulse to connection with others, each body searches for its own way of existing in the world.

Through the languages of Ballet, Hip-Hop, House Dance, Locking, Dancehall and Contemporary Dance, the performance creates a narrative in which different movement styles meet, interact and evolve. As each dancer discovers new forms of expression, every voice comes to realise that it belongs to something greater than itself.

In this context, "Voices" invites the audience to reflect on expression as a profoundly human act—not only what we say, but also what we reveal through movement, through connection and through choosing to be together.

Performers: Students of the Esposende Ballet Academy

Choreographers and Teachers: Bruno Faria, Paula Silva, Cláudia Regado, Érica Sousa, Francisca Costa, Pedro Silva and Sílvia Rocha

Artistic Direction: Bruno Faria, Paula Silva and Maria José Borges

26 July – "CITY ECHOES" | PraxiStudio

"City Echoes" is an urban dance performance that reflects the movement, rhythm and diversity of contemporary street dance. It is a vibrant showcase of energy, colour and infectious enthusiasm, transporting audiences into the rhythms and dance styles born in cities and clubs.

Choreography: Vasco Alves, Fausto Bellucci, Gonçalo Cabral, Tommy, Leonor Leocádio, Mafalda Roriz, Pedro Nuno Roriz, Guillermo Mees, Cristina Silva and Francisca Miranda

Artistic Direction: PraxiStudio

St James' Day, celebrated on 25 July, will once again be marked in Esposende through a joint initiative organised by the Municipality of Esposende, the Via Veteris Association, the Parish Council of Marinhas and the Marinhas Branch of the Portuguese Red Cross.

As in previous years, a pilgrim welcome point will be set up next to the Dom Luís Filipe Bridge (commonly known as Fão Bridge), where pilgrims will be offered refreshments and small souvenirs related to the Portuguese Coastal Way to Santiago de Compostela.

At 8:00 pm, the traditional social gathering will take place at the São Miguel Pilgrims' Hostel in Marinhas, featuring a light meal and queimada, a traditional Galician ceremonial drink. This event is open not only to pilgrims but also to the wider community.

These initiatives form part of the Action Plan for the Sustainability, Growth and Competitiveness of Tourism in Esposende 2023–2027 and are aligned with the Municipality's strategy to promote and raise awareness of the Portuguese Coastal Way.

As part of this strategy, an awareness campaign for pilgrims travelling through the municipality remains underway, highlighting safety issues, particularly the risks associated with walking outside the officially certified pilgrimage routes.

"Folklore in the Square" returns for its 5th edition at Largo Rodrigues Sampaio, in Esposende.

Every Tuesday evening, the folk dance groups of the Municipality of Esposende bring traditional dances, songs and customs to life with their usual colour and joy, promising to engage the audience and invite everyone to become part of the performance.

The National 3x3 Basketball Circuit is a competition and promotional initiative for street basketball, organised by the Portuguese Basketball Federation in partnership with the Municipality of Esposende, as part of the Esposende stage of the circuit.

3x3 basketball is a variation of the sport played by teams of three players on a half-court. It is characterised by fast-paced, intense and dynamic games. It is an official format recognised by FIBA and has been part of the Olympic Games programme since Tokyo 2020.

The main objectives of the circuit are to bring basketball closer to local communities through the street basketball concept, promote healthy lifestyles, encourage the creation and use of urban spaces dedicated to the sport, and foster participation among young people and families.

In addition, the circuit features men's and women's tournaments across different age groups, contributing to the sporting and social development of the communities hosting each stage of the competition.

Have you ever imagined exploring the past like a real archaeologist?

Bring your family and discover ancient remains, learn archaeological excavation techniques, and uncover hidden treasures from our heritage!

Esposende will once again host the International Folklore Festival, bringing to the mouth of the River Cávado some of the most distinguished folk groups from Croatia, Spain, Mexico, India, France, Poland and Portugal.

Representing the Municipality of Esposende will be the Forjães Association for the Promotion of Traditional Culture and the Rancho Folclórico Sargaceiro da Vila de Apúlia.

This celebration of the world's folk arts and traditions is organised in partnership between the Municipality of Esposende and the Forjães Association for the Promotion of Traditional Culture.

Before the main evening performance, the participating groups will parade through the streets and squares of the town during the afternoon, filling them with the colours, rhythms and traditions of their countries. Their vibrant presence promises to immerse both residents and visitors in the festive spirit and rich ethnographic heritage of the event.

Co-produced by: Municipality of Esposende and the Forjães Association for the Promotion of Traditional Culture.

As part of the Blue Flag Campaign 2026, another "Cigarette Butt Hunt" will take place – an environmental volunteering initiative that challenges participants to collect cigarette butts and other small items of litter, such as drinking straws and ice lolly sticks, left on the beach.