Avante Festival 2025 – Portugal

Background & History

Festa do Avante!, organized by the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) since 1976, is Portugal’s largest and oldest political-cultural festival. Initially held at FIL in Lisbon, it has been hosted at Quinta da Atalaia, Amora, Seixal, since 1990, on a scenic bayfront.

The 49th edition, set for September 5–7, 2025, spans 40 hectares, offering a vibrant mix of music, theater, cinema, sports, gastronomy, and political debates. Built by volunteers, the festival blurs the line between organizers and attendees, creating a unique communal atmosphere. It celebrates freedom, democracy, and the values of the 1974 April Revolution, drawing thousands with its diverse program and inclusive ethos.

Festival Highlights

• Over 60 concerts across genres like jazz, fado, hip-hop, rock, and reggae, featuring artists like A Garota Não, Capicua, and Fermin Muguruza.
• CineAvante: Screenings of Portuguese fiction, documentaries, and animations, including a tribute to Vasco Granja’s centenary with films like The Pink Panther.
• Avanteatro: Theater performances, including O Mercado das Madrugadas and O meu Nome É Rachel Corrie, addressing social issues.
• Sports: Amateur events like rallies, athletics, and traditional games.
• Gastronomy: Over 70 stalls offering Portuguese regional dishes (e.g., Alentejo migas, Setúbal caldeirada) and international cuisine (e.g., Angolan moamba, Indian chamuças).
• Children’s Area: Dedicated space with music, theater, cinema, and activities like inflatables and storytelling.
• Visual Arts: XXIV Bienal de Artes Plásticas, showcasing photography and paintings tied to the 1974 Revolution.
• Debates: Dozens of discussions on politics, environment, and social issues, fostering dialogue.
• Book and Record Fair: Features poetry, essays, and author talks.
• Science Space: Interactive exhibits and experiments celebrating 50 years of Portuguese science.

Program Details

The 2025 lineup, announced via festadoavante.pcp.pt, includes:

• Music: A Garota Não with guests, Capicua with Gisela João, Stereossauro with Carlão and Ana Lua Caiano, Linda Martini, Paulo de Carvalho, Fogo Fogo, and international acts like Dead Fish (Brazil), Skaparapid (Spain), and Selma Uamusse (Mozambique). A concert sinfónico marks 80 years since the end of WWII.
• CineAvante: Films like Hanami (Denise Fernandes), On Falling (Laura Carreira), and animations like Neighbours (Norman McLaren) and Professor Baltazar. The Monstrinha program offers 15 children’s animations.
• Avanteatro: Five plays, including Rádio Clandestina (Os Possessos) and Caminho do Burro (Historioscópio) for kids.
• Debates: Focus on freedom, democracy, and global issues like Palestine solidarity, with a Rave Avante! event.
• Exhibitions: Political and cultural displays, including the Bienal de Artes Plásticas (open for artist submissions until July 2025).
• Youth City: Run by the Communist Youth (JCP), featuring music, debates, and activities for younger attendees.
• Regional Pavilions: Showcases Portugal’s regions with crafts, food, and cultural displays. Full program details are updated on festadoavante.pcp.pt.

Date & Duration

• Dates: September 5–7, 2025
• Duration: 3 days
• Programme announcement: Available on festadoavante.pcp.pt
• Ticket sales: Available now via Ticketline, PCP Work Centers, or usual channels until September 4, 2025

Venues

• Quinta da Atalaia: Main festival grounds, hosting all events across five themed zones (Central Space, Youth City, Children’s Area, Regional Pavilions, Science Space).
• Address: Avenida Baía Natural do Seixal, 2845 Amora, Seixal, Portugal
• Contact: +351 21 222 4000, geral@festadoavante.pcp.pt

Main Location Address

• Quinta da Atalaia, Avenida Baía Natural do Seixal, 2845 Amora, Seixal, Portugal

Contact Information

• General: geral@festadoavante.pcp.pt, +351 21 222 4000
• Website: festadoavante.pcp.pt
• Social media: Instagram (festadoavante), TikTok (tiktok.com/@festadoavante), Facebook (facebook.com/festadoavante)
• Ticketline: ticketline.sapo.pt for online purchases
• PCP Work Centers: See festadoavante.pcp.pt for locations

Ticket Information

• General 3-Day Pass (EP – Solidarity Ticket): $36.72 (€34, until September 4, 2025)
• On-site price (Sep 5–7): $51.30 (€47.50)
• Children (14 and under, with an adult holding an EP): Free
• Purchase via: Ticketline (ticketline.sapo.pt), PCP Work Centers, or usual channels
• Notes: EP requires wristband exchange at entry. Additional fees may apply. Purchase before September 4 to save $14.58 (€13.50).

Cultural Experience

Festa do Avante! transforms Quinta da Atalaia into a “city of three days,” blending music, art, and politics with a view of the Tagus River. Performances by artists like Gisela João and international acts like Fermin Muguruza create a festive atmosphere, while debates and exhibitions engage attendees on social issues. Gastronomy stalls offer diverse flavors, from Portuguese sardinha assada to Latin American empanadas. The festival’s militant construction, led by PCP volunteers, fosters a sense of community, with no VIP areas, ensuring inclusivity for all.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair-accessible paths, toilets, and stages across the 40-hectare site.
• Free entry for children under 14 (with adult EP holder).
• Family-friendly spaces with fraldários, picnic areas, and shaded zones.
• Contact geral@festadoavante.pcp.pt for specific accessibility needs.

Getting There

• Quinta da Atalaia:
  • Train: Fertagus line to Fogueteiro station (10-minute walk)
  • Bus: TST lines 105, 107 from Lisbon (Cais do Sodré) to Amora
  • Car: Parking available; A2 highway to Seixal exit
  • Ferry: From Lisbon (Terreiro do Paço) to Seixal, then a 10-minute taxi
• Airport: Lisbon Portela (20 km), taxi or train (Fertagus via Roma-Areeiro)
• Check cp.pt or tst.pt for schedules.

Sustainability Initiatives

The festival promotes eco-friendly practices with public transport encouragement, waste recycling stations, and energy-efficient setups. Debates include environmental topics, aligning with the festival’s anti-imperialist ethos.

Accommodation Options

Near Quinta da Atalaia:

• Mid-range: Novotel Setúbal (EN 10, Km 18, 2910-509 Setúbal), from $80/night
• Budget: Hotel Ibis Setúbal (Rua do Alto da Guerra, 2910-011 Setúbal), from $50/night
• Boutique: Casa do Rio Hotel (Rua 31 de Janeiro 26, 2845-126 Amora), from $100/night
• Camping: On-site camping available, contact geral@festadoavante.pcp.pt. Book via booking.com or visitsetubal.com.