Music Festivals in Lisbon in 2022

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and one of the warmest and most beautiful cosmopolitan cities in Europe. It’s close to several major capital cities, including London, Paris, and Madrid, making it a perfect holiday destination and an ideal spot for a relaxing weekend break. In addition to its wealth of award-winning cultural sites and historic buildings and monuments, Lisbon has some of the most notable events people of all ages will love.

Being the Portuguese capital city, it’s not surprising that some of the best music festivals in Portugal take place in Lisbon. Many of them even receive international recognition, attracting tons of visitors from around the world. The festivals make Lisbon a busy place so you'll want to know where to go and how to get to the fun. We've compiled a terrific guide for you to read, called How to Get Around Lisbon.

As the temperature rises in June, Lisbon welcomes everyone to one of the largest music festivals in Portugal, Rock in Rio. Even one of the most revered indie, rock, and alternative music festivals in Europe, NOS Alive, will happen in the summer month. They feature local artists and some of the biggest names in the music industry. So if you want to see your favorite artists perform live on stage and enjoy out-of-this-world experiences, plan your trip around music festivals in Portugal. It’s a concert season you don’t want to miss, no matter your favorite music genre.

Every event here is a celebration of music, talents, culture, and tradition that reinforce the identity of Lisbon Portugal, and its people. Festival time is a wonderful time to see Lisbon! But before you lose yourself to the music, make sure to store your bags in secure luggage storage in Lisbon. That way, you can maximize the experience and enjoy the music festival without worry and luggage free.

The best music festivals in Lisbon in 2022

Neopop Festival

Before Neopop Festival takes over Viana do Castelo in August, it will first bring electrifying music to Lisbon on June 9th. The event will take place in Carlos Lopes Pavilion, located in the historic downtown of Lisbon, Portugal.

The legendary British Dax J will lead the celebration along with Kobosil, one of techno’s fastest rising DJs and a resident DJ of Berghain, and Shlømo, a French performer and producer known for his varied musical output. They are also joined by Cravo b2b Vil and Brusca b2b to bring the spirit of the Capital of Techno to Lisbon.

Be sure to bring your high levels of energy, as you’ll expect some heavy basses and punchy beats in a large venue. It’s a great way to kick off your summer in the city and celebrate with many talented artists.

The Neopop Festival is one of the largest electronic music festivals in Portugal. Each year, it receives hundreds of people of all ages and nationalities and features some of the most influential international and local artists of electronic music. It’s typically a four-day event in Viana do Castelo that delights techno fans worldwide.

Rock in Rio

Rock in Rio is a four-day thrilling event that will transform Lisbon, Portugal into a real city of rock. Over two consecutive summer weekends, from June 18th to 19th and 25th to 26th, this celebrated Brazilian festival will rock the world of the Portuguese capital. It boasts an incredible lineup of global superstars and local geniuses from an array of genres. The host of one of the year’s biggest entertainment and music festivals is the Bela Vista Park, a large open area of about 85,000 square miles.

Brace yourself for over twelve hours of amazing shows each day on the different stages. Watch the live performances of your favorite world-renowned bands, DJs, VJs, and professional musicians who will set the stage on fire. These include the Black Eyed Peas, Muse, Duran Duran, Post Malone, The National, Xutos e Pontapés, and many more. Since the 2020 and 2021 editions have been postponed, Rock in Rio Lisboa is undoubtedly one of the highly-anticipated events of the year.

Besides the concert, the event remains family-friendly throughout. The festival offers entertainment activities, a Kids Space for your little ones, and other carnivalesque attractions. Since it’s held in a massive green space, you can also enjoy a relaxing time in the garden areas and the summer breeze.

VOA Heavy Rock Festival

Formerly known as Vagos Open Air and VOA fest, VOA Heavy Rock Festival is a celebration of hard rock and heavy metal music. It’s the eleventh edition of VOA, bringing together music lovers in the National Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, from June 30th to July 1st. It is one of the biggest and most prominent festivals dedicated to the country’s metalheads, featuring Portuguese bands and many international headliners.

Taking the stage in this three-day event are established names and renowned heavy metal bands and artists from the country and around the world. These include Megadeth, Bring Me The Horizon, Gojira, Kreator, Kvelertak, Sabaton, Alien Weaponry, and more. Expect unforgettable performances from these great international bands in the country’s capital city.

This heavy rock music festival has been around for a decade. It has undergone venue and name changes over the years but never failed to exceed audience expectations every time. It has consistently showcased established bands and fan favorites worldwide.

Sumol Summer Fest

If you’re looking for a coastal music festival in Portugal, check out the Sumol Summer Fest in the coastal town of Ericeira. It’s an annual seaside celebration that will give you an entertaining sun-soaked weekend filled with live music, different stage shows, programs, and dance classes.

From July 1-2, festival-goers can enjoy a unique blend of the skate culture and surf elements with an incredible lineup of music stars, rappers, dancers, and hip-hop musicians, including Trippie Redd, Piruka, Burna Boy, Cintia, Alcool Club, and more. It’s the twelfth edition of Sumol Summer Fest, which has been rescheduled this year due to the global pandemic. Thankfully, tickets from 2020 and 2021 can be redeemed.

Beach and music lovers will undoubtedly be delighted to attend the event. It has all the perfect ingredients for an ideal summer holiday in a venue known to surfers who are looking for the best waves in the country. And you don’t have to worry about accommodation because you can stay at the camping site and maximize your overall experience.

NOS Alive

Formerly known as Optimus Alive, NOS Alive is one of the country’s leading mega-festivals, bringing together huge international stars in one location. This year, this Portuguese indie and alternative music festival will take place in Passeio Marítimo de Algés, a popular stage for festivals just eight minutes from downtown Lisbon and about fifteen minutes from the beach.

One of the biggest draws of this year’s event is its best lineup, consisting of some of the biggest names in the international music scene. More than sixty bands will take the stage over four summer days, from July 6th to 9th, with The Strokes, The War on Drugs, Modest Mouse, Fontaines DC, Parov Stelar, and more performing on the first day. You’ll also see breathtaking performances from Stormzy, Metallica, Royal Blood, and Alt-J.

It’s easy to see why many consider NOS Alive as a Portuguese favorite, consistently delivering fantastic shows since 2007. It combines all-time greats with many newfound talents in one of the most vibrant cities in Europe. Many also love that NOS Alive is highly inclusive music festival, providing special access platforms for visitors with special needs and an area for expectant mothers.

Super Bock Super Rock

First held over 25 years ago, Super Block Super Rock is one of the most well-known music festivals in Portugal. It has been entertaining rock music lovers since 1994 and is among the primary music summer events in the country with an incredible line-up worth the trip for every music lover, no matter the genre. This year, it will take over Praia do Meco, a long, sandy beach about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Lisbon, from July 14th to 16th.

Guests can expect the best of new talents and international music with many references to hip-hop, rock, rap, electronic, and punk music. It boasts a fantastic line-up filled with big names in the music world who will perform on various stages. These include Leon Bridges, A$AP Rocky, Jungle DJ Set, Flume, David & Michael, Working Men’s Club, Boy Pablo, and Los Bitchos, who will kick off the event on the first day. On the second and third days of the event, you can anticipate great performances from artists and DJs, such as Kathy Peluso, Goldlink, Cosmo’s Midnight, Ganso, Foals, and a lot more.

You can get to the venue by bus, but a taxi from the city center would take only around 30 minutes. If you’re looking for a place to stay, you can get the Festicket to obtain a ticket to the festival plus accommodation and other extras. You may upgrade to a day ticket with a park and tent, offering a private camping space next to your car on your ticket day, or camp next to your vehicle in a secured area.

Kalorama

Taking place in Parque da Bela Vista in Lisbon, Portugal, from September 1st to 3rd, is the first edition of the Kalorama festival. It’s perfect for electronic, indie, pop, and rock music fans, promising guests phenomenal performances from outstanding artists.

The headliners at the festival are Arctic Monkeys, Kraftwerk, Chet Faker, The Chemical Brothers, and Moderat. You will also see the electronic music supergroup – Moderat – on their return on stage, James Blake, Rodrigo Leao, and many more artists.

Kalorama guarantees a brand new experience for festival-goers that’s entirely unique and unrepeatable. Besides unparalleled music, it also orbits around art and sustainability, promoting new standards for festivals. It will be held in one of the city’s biggest urban parks and among the most privileged spots in Lisbon. Besides its immense green area, it is also close to the airport, public transport, and the city center.

Somersby Out Jazz

Do you love jazz music and the great outdoors? If so, you shouldn’t miss the Somersby Out Jazz Festival in Lisbon. It is an open-air music festival featuring that country’s best DJs, national artists, and bands playing soul, funk, jazz, and hip-hop. From May 15th to September 25th, your Sunday afternoons will be filled with the soothing and soulful sound of jazz in fun and inviting environments.

The afternoon concert series will be held in different gardens and parks throughout Lisbon. These include the Parque dos Poetas in May, Parque Urbano do Jamor in June, Parque Urbano de Miraflores in July, Jardins da Quinta Real de Caxias in August, and Jardins do Palacio Marques de Pombal in September. So if ever you’re in the area on one of the Sunday afternoons of these months, bring your friends and check out the festival.

The entrance is free, and it starts from 5 pm until sunset. It’s a perfect way to end your weekend break and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in Lisbon with live music without spending a dime.

Planning to stay some more days in Lisbon?

There’s no denying that this vibrant city knows how to party, as evidenced by numerous colorful celebrations and music festivals visitors can enjoy year-round. Music lover or not, attending a festival should certainly be on your to-do list when visiting Lisbon for a truly unforgettable experience, especially in summer. Even if you are here for a short time (see our guide to 3 days in Lisbon) you will be amazed by this destination.

And if you plan to spend more days in the city, don’t miss the opportunity to explore its best museums, old churches, and ancient ruins dating back hundreds of years ago. Then immerse yourself in its rich food scene by trying its best street food that reflects the country’s cultural identity.