At 250 years old and counting, Feira das Mercês (Mercês Fair) is one of the oldest fairs in the Lisbon region.

It features ethnographic Lisbon region countryside entertainment, crafts stands, and stage performances.

Because of its age, Sintra's country fair has always been a big event in the region, both economically and socially. The fair has many traditions associated with it, including gastronomic customs.

While the fair is not a historical reenactment event, it does aim to highlight the ethnography of the region, while showcasing innovation as well. Therefore, participants are asked to dress in the region's traditional attire.

LEFFEST brings together the best from the world of cinema, focusing on the interconnection of diverse cultural proposals, from cinema to literature, music and fine arts.

More than just a film show, LEFFEST features a diversified programme covering the best established and emerging live film productions in various artistic events, master classes, debates and lectures. 

In this festival, viewers can have an active voice, to confront ideas and to participate in the life experiences and reflections of filmmakers, thinkers and artists.

The magic of Christmas arrives at Sintra in December, enchanting kids and adults alike and providing all visitors with unforgettable moments of sharing and enchantment.

Fairies, goblins, fantastic beings and Santa Claus himself transform Parque da Liberdade (Liberty Park) into a true Christmas Wonderland, where visitors have every reason to be moved by the Christmas spirit.

The entire park is decorated, with ongoing games, sports, workshops, concerts, various dining venues and handicrafts throughout the days of the event.

The Sintra Music Festival had its origin in 1957, under the name “Jornadas Musicais de Sintra” (Sintra Musical Days), an initiative organized by the City Council and with the essential participation of Olga Maria Nicolis di Robilant Alvares Pereira de Melo, Marquess of Cadaval, who devoted herself to music and to stimulating artistic and cultural activities.

The Marquess Olga Cadaval, name by which she became known, helped put Sintra in the international music scene, bringing renowned international artists to the festival.

In 1988, three festival cycles were created with separate programmes and calendars: the musical cycle, the "Ballet Nights" in Seteais and the historical recreation cycle with the "Nights of Queluz” show, which took place between 1988 and 1993 in the gardens of the National Palace of Queluz.

The Sintra Festival, already in its 57 edition, is a historic milestone of the Sintra musical tradition which, under the sign of its usual sophistication, becomes more intense and international while maintaining the programme’s quality, always with the participation of the most renowned Portuguese and international performers.

Cortéx is a film festival with a diversified programme, also serving as a meeting place for Portuguese film professionals.

Organized by the Espaço Reflexo cultural and theatre association, the festival’s competition is open to Portuguese and international short features, and it also serves a platform for new filmmakers by giving them the opportunity to showcase their films to a greater audience.

The Mini Cortéx festival is geared towards children, in order to engage and stimulate the little ones through cinema. The children's section aims to favour a cinema that enables the construction of the imaginary and that produces an identification in the experience of emotions.

PERIFERIAS – International Festival of Performing Arts presents a multidisciplinary programme, having as its central axis theatre, also featuring dance, performance, puppets, music, street entertainment, street shows, book fair, exhibitions, peripheral conversations, fringe (a space for short stories) and workshops.

The festival aims to foster solidarity and union in the Portuguese-speaking world.

The best bodyboarders in the world head to Grande Praia for another stage of the World Bodyboarding, the Sintra Portugal Pro.

Competitions are in the men’s and women’s categories, being the only European stage in the world bodyboard circuit.

Grande Beach is an international reference for surfing and bodyboarding due to the quality of its waves.