The Provincetown Portuguese Festival & Blessing of the Fleet

Provincetown welcomes people from around the world who come to celebrate Portuguese culture and our proud seafaring heritage at the annual Provincetown Portuguese Festival & Blessing of the Fleet.

The Festival is four days of live music, dancing, parades, incredible food, games and more. With over 30 events and activities with many of them free, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Festival Weekend is capped off with The Blessing of The Fleet. After a procession through town, boats decked out in their finest parade past the Bishop and receive their Blessing for a safe & prosperous year.

We invite you to join us June 21- June 24 and Share The Heritage!

2018 Festival & Blessing

People come from around the world come to celebrate Portuguese heritage and culture at the annual Provincetown Portuguese Festival & Blessing of the Fleet.

The annual Festival is four days of live music, dancing, parades, incredible food, games and more. With over 30 mostly free activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Festival Weekend is capped off with The Blessing of The Fleet where boats decked out in their finest line up to receive the blessing for a safe & prosperous year. We invite you to join us June 21 - June 24 and share the heritage!

We Hope You'll Join Us For The Festival

Thursday, June 21, 2018

5:00pm - 10:00pm
Seamen’s Bank Compartilhe Na Nossa Mesa or “Share Our Table”. A showcase of Provincetown’s best restaurants held under the Seamen’s Bank Tent at the Bas Relief near Portuguese Square. Live music by the New Beach Band. Reservations are required.

8:00pm - 10:00pm
Dancing to the music of the under the Seamen’s Bank Tent at the Bas Relief near Portuguese Square. Tickets at the door are $5.


Friday, June 22, 2018

12:00pm - 2:00pm
Capt. Ken Silva Fishing Derby for Kids at MacMillan Pier. A Free event!

12:00pm - 3:00pm
Portuguese Soup Tasting the Seamen’s Bank Tent at the Bas Relief near Portuguese Square. It features soup from fine restaurants in Provincetown, Truro & Wellfleet! Entertainment at the Bas Relief by the Dory Bar Blues Band. Tickets at the door.

12:00pm - 5:00pm
Face Painting in Portuguese Square. A Free event!

2:00pm - 4:00pm
Portuguese Writers & Poets read at the Harbor Lounge. Harbor Lounge is located at 359 Commercial street across from the Public Library. A free event!

2:30pm - 4:00pm
The Great Lobster Crate Race for kids of all ages at MacMillan Pier. A free event!

3:00pm - 6:00pm
Music & Dancing on stage in Portuguese Square. A free event!

5:00pm - 8:00pm
The Lobster Pot restaurant & Cape Tip Seafood presents the Lobster Bake in Seamen’s Bank Tent at the Bas Relief near Portuguese Square. Feast on lobsters and more plus a cash bar for oysters, clams and shrimp. Beer & Wine available too. No Reservations required. Tickets At The Door. Brought to you by The Lobster Pot and Cape Tip Seafoods.

6:30pm - 7:30pm
Music for all ages on stage in Portuguese Square. A free event!

8:00pm - 10:00pm
Music for all ages with on stage in Portuguese Square. A free event!

9:00pm - 1:00am
Homecoming Get Together with the Old Jug Band at Bubala's By The Sea. A Free event!

Saturday, June 23, 2018

10:00am - 12:00pm
Motta Family Kids Games & Cookout at Motta Field. A great place for the whole family to enjoy fun and food. A free event!

10:30am - 2:00pm
Live Entertainment and Portuguese Dancers in Portuguese Square. Free!

11:30am - 7:30pm
Lions Club Portuguese Food Court in Seamen’s Bank Tent at the Bas Relief near Portuguese Square. A feast of Portuguese food and more plus beer, wine and music. Food & Beverages are priced individually. No cover charge!

2:00pm - 4:00pm
Entertainment for kids of all ages by the Toe Jam Puppet Band. A favorite with the little ones! It’s on stage in Portuguese Square. A free event!

3:00pm - 5:00pm
Portuguese Festival Parade on Commercial Street. A highlight of the Festival with a fantastic group of Dancers, Musicians, Floats and more will start at the Harbor Hotel and travel through town to Franklin Street. Come early to get a good spot!

4:30pm - 5:30pm
Entertainment in Portuguese Square continues A Free event!

6:30pm - 7:30pm
Comedy by the Portuguese Kids in the Lions Club Portuguese Food Court under the Seamen’s Bank Tent at the Bas Relief near Portuguese Square. A free event!

7:30pm - 9:30pm
An early evening FADO concert at the Provincetown Town Hall. Courtesy of the Provincetown Banner, enjoy amazing performances of traditional Portuguese folk music! Contributions at the door are appreciated! Town Hall is a handicapped accessible building.

9:00pm - 12:30am
Cap off a great day with live SAMBA music under the stars! Join the fun and dance the night away in Portuguese Square. A free event!

Saturday, June 23, 2018

10:30am - 11:30am
Fishermen’s Mass at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Provincetown. Celebrated by Bishop Edgar M. daCunha S.D.V

11:30am - 12:30pm
Portuguese Dancers perform authentic routines wearing fabulous costumes in Lopes Square while you wait for the Procession. A free event!

12:00pm - 1:00pm
After Mass at St. Peter the Apostle Church a Procession leaves as a group for the short walk to MacMillan Pier for the 70th annual Blessing of the Fleet. They are bearing banners that honor the fishing fleet past & present.

12:00pm - 4:00pm
TASCA Portuguese Cafe on MacMillan Pier. Sample the taste of Portugal with a host of delicacies including a Beer & Wine cash bar!

1:00pm - 3:00pm
Follow up the Blessing with Portuguese Music and Dancers! They are performing out on MacMillan Pier. A free event!

1:00pm
71st Blessing Of The Fleet. Honoring a tradition in Provincetown, boats decked out in their finest parade before Bishop Edgar Da Cunha S.D.V. to receive their blessing. The fleet will be judged for their decorations too. A free event!

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Enjoy a Traditional Band Concert in front of Town Hall featuring St. Anthony’s Band from Cambridge, its a free event!

4:00pm - 7:00pm
Get Together and celebrate the last day of the Festival at the Governor Bradford. Ed Sheridan and friends will be performing live. A free event!

Planning for 2019? We'll see you for the 2019 Festival June 20 - 23!
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The Festival wouldn't be possible without the 100's of volunteers who it all happen. Want to join our team or contribute? Give us a call or contact us today!

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