Thanksgiving might not be a Portuguese tradition, but Portugal has its own way of honouring the harvest season through local festivals in September and October. These events showcase our country’s rich agricultural heritage, with local produce, wine, and traditions taking centre stage. However, as more Americans visit and live in Portugal, Thanksgiving celebrations have started to pop up in various regions, mostly organised by the American expatriate community.
So, if you’re an expat or traveller craving turkey and pie in Portugal, here’s how to find Ação de Graças festivities near you, and some tips for celebrating it yourself.
The Internet is Your Friend
Google, Facebook, and Instagram will be invaluable for finding Thanksgiving events in Portugal. Local expat groups on social media are especially active in sharing details about dinners, potlucks, and gatherings. If you’re not on social media, don’t worry: word of mouth and a bit of proactive research can go a long way.
Many international communities host Thanksgiving dinners, and some restaurants and hotels embrace the tradition with special menus featuring turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. Events tend to be more common in cosmopolitan areas like Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve, which are hubs for expats and travellers alike.
Venues that are Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner
Below is a short list of some of the events I found online. Make sure to reserve a spot early, as these events often sell out quickly!
Algarve
- Vila Vita Parc (Porches)
- Tribulum (Almancil)
- Ceiceira Tasting Lounge (Monchique)
Lisbon
Porto
Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner Yourself
If you’re planning to bring the spirit of Thanksgiving to your home, here are some practical tips:
Turkey: Whole turkeys are traditionally reserved for Christmas in Portugal, so you’ll need to pre-order from your local butcher. Turkey is peru in Portuguese.
Cranberries: Fresh cranberries (arandos) are difficult to come by, and your best bet is to try an international shop and get frozen ones. Closer to Christmas time, you may see fresh ones in Aldi, but that’s too late, of course!
Pumpkins: These are easy to find in Portugal but are primarily used for soups and jams. If you want pumpkin pie, you’ll likely need to make it from scratch, as ready-made versions aren’t commonly sold. Pumpkin is abóbora. Finding pumpkin filling will be difficult. However, I read someone’s post online about them finding America’s Finest Solid Pack in Apolónia. Looks like that could be a new trend around the end of November over here.
Apple Pie: very easy to find here, though it may be a little different to the American version. Portuguese Apple pies (tarte de maçã) are typically not covered and very creamy.
Stuffing: All ingredients to make stuffing you can get here. Perhaps sage is the hardest thing to find, but not impossible. It’s called Salva or Salvia here. Again, international shops or if there is a Normal shop near you.
Corn: very easy to get here. Corn is milho, and corn on the cob is maçaroca de milho.
Yams: very easy to get here. Yam is inhame and sweet potato is batata-doce.
And last but certainly not least – green beans: feijão verde🫛
Here’s my personal Thanksgiving-in-Portugal tip if Green Bean Casserole is on your menu: stock up on green beans!
In the last few years, in particular 2025, in Tavira, I couldn’t find them anywhere in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. I checked supermarket after supermarket because, of course, my American husband and I were celebrating Thanksgiving at home and the green beans had apparently decided not to cooperate! 😂
Let me know in the comments if I forgot to mention anything!
Final Thoughts
Thanksgiving in Portugal might take some effort to organise, but whether you join a local event or host your own, you can recreate the spirit of the holiday while soaking up Portugal’s warm hospitality and unique culture. Embrace the mix of traditions, and make it a holiday to remember! If you’re attending an event here, please share some Thanksgiving photos and your Portuguese experiences with me!
Holiday Related Posts
- Christmas in Portugal
- New Years in Portugal
- Carnaval in Portugal
- Easter in Portugal
- Portuguese Culture