Porto, a defining city

The number of events, both domestic and international, hosted by the city of Porto is manifold, ranging from sports, entertainment and design to entrepreneurship and culture.

PORTO, European Capital of Design

For the first time awarded in Portugal, Porto is the European Capital of Design hosting ED Awards 10th edition, themed "Celebrating Creative Excellence". 

After cities such as Athens, Stockholm, Zurich, Rotterdam, Istanbul or Vienna, among others, the best in communication Design will be honoured in Porto, at Rivoli Theatre.

The brand Porto. was awarded double gold in "Branding Implementation" and "Best of Show", in 2015, in Istanbul. The brand was awarded the highest distinction level - double Gold, among 1000 applications from more than 35 countries such as Iceland, Greece and Russia.

In 2016, Demetrios Fakinos, initiator and manager of European Design Awards, announced Porto as the city of choice to host the 2017 edition of ED Awards over cities like Milan and Athens.

The ED-Awards are unique in their field, acknowledging the best of graphic design, illustration and digital design in the European continent.

In addition to the award ceremony, that will bring the best of design to Porto, the city will also organise conferences, exhibitions, workshops and studio walks to foster the debate on the role of design in society.

PORTO, community of entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship hand in hand with innovation makes Porto a very interesting city!

The municipality is challenging the city's entrepreneurial community to develop activities that contribute to a more active and dynamic ecosystem. Each activity will be funded up to 10 thousand euros. This initiative aims at improving the conditions for startups to scaleup, create more jobs and enhance Porto's competitiveness.

The Start & Scale week, which will run in 2017, from May 27 to June 3, is an opportunity for networking. Cities can have a unique role, facilitating companies' growth, and the creation of a thriving ecosystem that enables mentorship and support to startups and scaleups.

The Scaleup Porto. aims to become a catalyst for the creation of an innovation ecosystem and a network of individuals and organizations that share the vision of a scaleup program.

The ScaleUp Porto Manifesto is also a contribution of the city to the ScaleUp For Europe movement, highlighting the importance of involving cities in the ecosystem growth process.

PORTO, city of sports events

Porto Extreme XL Lagares kicks off 27 May, starting at 10 am, at Ribeira do Porto and this year, 225 pilots will take part in the race.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Portuguese race that scores for the World Enduro Championship begins in the particularly challenging itinerary of Ribeira do Porto, which is regarded by many as the most difficult route of the entire series.

The 13th edition of the Porto Extreme XL Lagares, is held under the São João Festivities of the municipality of Porto, and has become a major popular and tourist attraction.

Pilots like Alfredo Gomez Cantero (KTM Racing), Mario Roman, Sherco official pilot and Lars Enockl, winner of Red Bull Sea to Sky 2016, attending the race for the first time, will be present on the circuit.

PORTO, a "Blues" city!

Porto Blues Fest, set in the beautiful gardens of Palácio de Cristal in the city of Porto, is on a fast-track to becoming one of the most electrifying blues concert ever.

The first edition of the blues festival will be held in May, 26 and 27. This is a tribute concert to the King of the Blues, BB King, aka BB (Blues Boy) by Shirley king Blues Band "The daughter of the Blues", featuring Rui Veloso, on 27 May at 10 pm.

Portuguese musician Rui Veloso, known as BB King's Portuguese son and the only musician to have shared the stage with BB King, will also play at this concert in honour of the King of the Blues.

The blues festival, which encapsulates music festivals focused on blues, also features bands like Delta Blues Riders and Julian Burdock & Danny Del Toro.

Porto Blues Fest will include two workshops in its festival programme, 26 and 27 May at Palácio de Cristal Gardens. Julian Burdock and Danny del Toro, two musicians that are part of the project, will be in charge of the training.

On Sunday, it is Danny del Toro's turn to conduct a harmonica workshop at Palácio de Cristal. Each of the trainings is priced at 20 euros for the general public and 10 euros for participants who have purchased a ticket for the Porto Blues Fest.

PORTO of SÃO JOÃO

The feast of São João [St. John] is the midsummer festival held on the night of 23 June (St John's Eve), in the city of Porto.

On this day of 23 June, thousands of people gather at the city centre and more traditional neighbourhoods to pay a tribute to Saint John the Baptist, in a party that mixes sacred and profane traditions, from morning to night that ends with a beautiful firework.

Starting 25 May until 25 June, the feast of São João lights up the city. Porto dresses up to honour its patron saint, filling the streets with colour and scents, joy and high spirits.