There are four moving holidays in Portugal. Interestingly, even though they are moving they are always celebrated on the same day of the week every year. For the regular bank holidays in Portugal click the link.
Carnaval Tuesday 🎭
You may know this day as Pancake Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras. Click the link to learn more about Carnaval in Portugal. Carnival takes place 47 days before Easter. So Carnaval can take place from February 4 to March 9.
In connection with this day, other celebrations that become moving are Ash Wednesday and Lent in Portugal.
Good Friday ✝️
In connection with Easter Sunday, Palm Sunday, Holy Week in Portugal and Good Friday become moving holidays. Learn more about Easter in Portugal by clicking the link. Good Friday occurs every year between the 22nd of March and the 25th of April. These dates coincide with the first full moon after the spring (in the Northern Hemisphere) and autumn (in the Southern Hemisphere) equinoxes.
Easter Sunday ✝️
Easter Sunday, by definition, is the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs after the vernal equinox and can fall between the 22nd of March and the 25th of April. Learn more about Easter in Portugal by clicking the link.
Corpus Christi Thursday 🐑
The last holiday in our moving holidays in Portugal’s list is Corpus Christi (The body of god). The date occurs on the second Thursday following Pentecost Sunday and is therefore celebrated annually between May 21 and June 24.
While Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after Easter, Corpus Christi is celebrated 60 days after Easter.
There is another celebration that is celebrated 40 days after easter sunday called Ascension Day or Dia da Espiga. This day falls between the 1st of May and the 4th of June. Although it’s not a bank holiday, many places in Portugal will mark this day with town celebrations such as in Salir, Loulé for instance.
For the regular bank holidays in Portugal click the link.