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What not to miss this weekend in Matosinhos

Discover the suggestions for making the most of your weekend in Matosinhos. Take advantage of the long Easter weekend to take part in Moontosinhos, with Joel Cleto, visit the Chocolate Festival and the various exhibitions on display in Matosinhos. See here all the programme



Chocolate Party - Fair

Chocolate lover? Then this message is for you! The Chocolate Festival is back to Matosinhos.

There are more than 25 exhibitors! From chocolates to bonbons, chocolate bars to brigadeiros, not forgetting the hot chocolate which tastes so good on colder days, there is something for everyone.

The Chocolate Festival takes place in a large air-conditioned tent located in front of the PSP of Matosinhos, next to the Town Hall, thus ensuring all the necessary conditions for visitors and exhibitors to have the best possible experience.

Organized by the Matosinhos City Hall in partnership with ANDARTE - National Association for the Development of Handicrafts, the event promises a lot of entertainment through workshops and showcookings.

When: March 31st to April 16th

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 12h00 to 23h00

Friday from 12h00 to 24h00

Saturday from 11h00 to 24h00

Sunday from 11h00 to 23h00

Where: Front PSP Matosinhos


Presentation of Candidature Candidature for Matosinhos, European City of Sport 2025

"Matosinhos wants to be the European City of Sport in 2025. The presentation ceremony will take place tomorrow, April 6th, the World Day of Physical Activity, at the Leixões Cruise Terminal, at 11h00, with free admission.

Before that, at 10 a.m., there will be a display of about two dozen sports activities on the Matosinhos waterfront that will extend to the beach and the ocean, ranging from free surf lessons, beach tennis, fitness classes, skateboarding, among many others, all these activities being free and open to the population and all age groups.

The awarding of the title - European City of Sport - is carried out by the Association of European Capitals and Cities of Sport and presented nationally to the Portuguese Association of European Cities of Sport.

With about 1,000 events planned for the year 2025, with the estimated participation of about 200 thousand people, ranging from the organization of major international competitions, to beach sports tournaments, from surfing events, sailing, inclusive events, to fitness classes on the waterfront, Matosinhos intends to involve the population of the entire region and receive people from all over Europe making 2025 a year of a true Sea of Sport. "

Free and open participation to the population.

When and where: 6th April

10h00 - Matosinhos Marginal

11h00 - Cruise ship terminal


"Nasoni and the Bishops' Estate" - Moontosinhos, with Joel Cleto

This cycle of nocturnal visits to the History, Heritage and Legends of Matosinhos emerged in 2013 and takes place every month on full moon nights.

Led by historian Joel Cleto, the visits to various sites and monuments follow a theme and take place all over the municipality, with the participation of hundreds of people who follow the route, questioning and interacting with the team of historians and archaeologists of the municipality.

2023 marks the 250th anniversary of the death of Nicolau Nasoni, the architect responsible for 18th century works in Matosinhos such as the Church of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos, Quinta do Chantre, in Leça do Balio, or the portal of Quinta dos Bispos , in Santa Cruz do Bispo.

To mark the date, the Municipality of Matosinhos prepared a special edition of “Moontosinhos” dedicated to Nasoni.

Visits are planned to the historic centers of Matosinhos, Leça da Palmeira, Santa Cruz do Bispo, S. Mamede de Infesta and Porto, in partnership with the Irmandade/Torre dos Clérigos.

The first visit, scheduled for April 6th, between 21:30 and 24:00, is dedicated to Nasoni and Quinta dos Bispos, in Santa Cruz do Bispo, and includes the ascent to Monte S. Brás. The meeting point will be Largo da Viscondessa.

The next visits of “Moontosinhos” will take place on the following dates, between 21:30 and 24:00:

May 5 – Nasoni and Quinta da Conceição

3rd June – Nasoni and the Church of Matosinhos

July 3 – Nasoni in S. Mamede de Infesta

August 1st – Special Moontosinhos at Clérigos Church and Tower

The meeting point for each visit will be announced in due course. Follow all the activity of “Moontosinhos” at https://www.facebook.com/moontosinhos or, for more information, send an email to the address gmah@cm-matosinhos.pt

When: April 6, between 9:30 pm and midnight

Where: Largo da Viscondessa, in Santa Cruz do Bispo


Street Basket Make It Happen - Sports

On World Physical Activity Day, celebrated on April 6th, at 2:30 pm, at Parque Infantil Florbela Espanca, in Leça da Palmeira, the Streetbasket Tournament “Making it Happen” will take place, with the participation of 8 teams and 15 games. Organized by the Technical Professional Sports course at Escola Secundária João Gonçalves Zarco, with the support of the Matosinhos Chamber, Matosinhos Sport, Matosinhos-Liça Parish Council and the ABP- Associação de Basket do Porto.

When: April 6, 2:30 pm

Where: Florbela Espanca Children's Park


Balio Cup 2023 - Sports

From 6 to 8 April, the Leça do Balio Sports Complex will host another edition of the Balio Cup, an Easter football tournament, which will feature 20 emblems according to various levels of training.

The event is organized by Desportivo de Leça do Balio, with the support of the Municipality of Matosinhos, Matosinhos Sport and União das Freguesias de Custóias, Leça do Balio and Guifões.

When: April 6th to 8th

Where: Leça do Balio Sports Complex

Lavra Foot Cup - Sports

On the 7th and 8th of April, at Complexo Desportivo Municipal de Lavra, the Lavra Foot Cup Youth Football Tournament will take place.

Registration open: 918260230 / coordinatorgeral.udlavrense@sapo.pt

Organization of the U.D. Lavrense, with the support of Matosinhos City Council and Matosinhos Sport

When: April 7th and 8th

Where: Lavra Municipal Sports Complex


Family Orchestra - Music

Orquestra de Famílias started a new project out of doors, in the União de Freguesias de São Mamede Infesta and Senhora da Hora, and is recruiting young and old with a desire to sing, play, build rhythm with their bodies, write lyrics and improvise.

At Orquestra de Famílias, the invitation is made to all those who feel music in their own way and want to share that happiness in artistic creation sessions, in a relaxed atmosphere.

From the 25th, the São Mamede Civic Center (Rua do Centro 2, 4465-166) will be the stage for these meetings. Access is free and families of all ages are expected. Entries can be made via the email ofm@ojm.pt

Sessions at the São Mamede Civic Center will take place on April 22, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm; May 14th, from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm; and May 27th from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Guided by Sara Vilar, Ana Conceição and Beatriz Rôla, the Orquestra de Famílias is a project of the educational program of the Orquestra Jazz de Matosinhos, created in 2018, with the support of the Municipality of Matosinhos.

When: March 25th to April 22nd

Where: São Mamede Civic Center (Rua do Centro 2, 4465-166)


The struggle of Matosinhos fishermen during fascism - Documentary Exhibition

This is a documental exhibition, with an organization shared by the Municipality of Matosinhos and the Directorate of the Regional Organization of Porto of the Portuguese Communist Party, seeking to make known and honor generations of fishermen who, in Matosinhos, fought for their rights and for better living conditions, while facing the repression of the fascist dictatorship that haunted the country for almost half a century.

Particular emphasis is given to the 71-day strike, between the 10th of April and the 20th of June 1959, from which the fishermen were victorious, as well as several other days of struggle carried out by the class, until the revolution of the 25th of April. from 1974.

When: April 1st to May 14th

Where: Florbela Espanca Municipal Library Gallery


[From the Archive] Matosinhos Not Built – Exhibition

It is the first exhibition entirely produced by Casa da Arquitectura and dedicated to the collections that are in the care of the Archive.

This exhibition focuses on projects that were partially built, built and demolished or never built by names such as Eduardo Souto de Moura, Fernanda Seixas, Francisco Melo, Jorge Gigante, José Almeida, José Gigante, Manuel Correia Fernandes, Pedro Mendo, Pedro Ramalho, Teresa Fonseca.

When: Until April, at ticket office hours

Where: House of Architecture


Architecture for everyone - Free guided tours

From next Sunday, Casa da Arquitetura promotes guided visits to Casa da Arquitectura. The initiative is free and will take place every Sunday at 11am.

When: Sundays at 11am

Where: House of Architecture


"Sneakers - Portuguese Brands from the New State to the Turn of the Millennium" - Exhibition

“Sneakers: Portuguese Brands from the New State to the Turn of the Millennium” is the exhibition that opened on February 11, 2023, at Casa do Design, in Matosinhos.

At a time when sneakers gain a global dimension as one of the icons of contemporary culture, Casa do Design inaugurates this exhibition curated by Pedro Carvalho de Almeida, to show part of the legacy of the national sports footwear industry.

Starting from a unique collection of more than 500 sneaker models representing a universe of 100 brands designed and manufactured in Portugal, this exhibition explores the cultural, social, political and economic significance that the brands represent. A brief historical context is proposed, an in-depth reading of the Sanjo and Cortebel brands, but above all the revelation of a surprising collection of other brands characterized by small series, models for different sports practices and the respective packaging.

The result of a co-production between the Municipality of Matosinhos / esad—idea, Research in Design and Art and the Institute for Research in Design Media and Culture (ID+), the exhibition simultaneously proposes a historical retrospective and a space for critical reflection, seeking to know how the memory of nationally made sneakers can be rescued, understood and preserved, and how the productive resources we have access to, material and immaterial, can be better used and creatively leveraged.

Between March and June, the role of the designer as a collector, the connections between design, industry and handicrafts, as well as the challenges and opportunities in sustainable development, are discussed.

Upcoming conversations:

April 22, Saturday, 3:30 pm–5:00 pm – Design and Crafts

May 27th, Saturday, 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm – Design and Industry

June 17th, Saturday, 3:30 pm–5:00 pm – Towards an Ecology of Design

When: Until August 27, 2023

Where: Casa do Design, Matosinhos - Paços do Concelho Building, Rua de Alfredo Cunha, Matosinhos


JOÃO CARLOS - Exhibition

The retrospective exhibition “João Carlos” was the last exhibition of 2022 to open at Casa do Design, in Matosinhos.

Dedicated to João Carlos Celestino Gomes, whose activity as an illustrator and designer developed from the twenties until his death in 1961, the exhibition is curated by designer Jorge Silva and displays a total of 111 pieces that include prints on panels and showcases, books, magazines and brochures.

When: Until April 9

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, between 9:00 am and 12:30 pm, and from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm; Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from 3 pm to 6 pm.

Where: Casa do Design, Matosinhos


“Matosinhos, Place and Memory” – Exhibition

The temporary exhibition of the Museum of Memory “Matosinhos Lugar e Memória” was inaugurated in August 2022, as part of the commemorations of the 1st anniversary of the Museum of Memory of Matosinhos. Using a selection of photographs by Gabriele Basilico, belonging to the Autarchy’s collection, the exhibition contrasts these same records today: the urban and industrial landscapes captured by Basilico in the project “Uma Cidade Assim” (1996), are now portrayed in the present tense. More than 25 years separate these photographic captures, and in this counterpoint it is possible to see and feel the city: its evolution, the response it has given to new civilizational challenges and the growing needs of its population.

Admission: €1.00 (includes visit to the permanent exhibition + temporary exhibition)

When: Until March 2023

Where: Matosinhos Memory Museum


“Wind Lines. Artistic Routes in Nature” - Works from the Serralves Foundation collection

The collective exhibition comprises a set of works by international artists associated with the land art or earthworks movement such as Richard Long, Hamish Fulton and Ana Mendieta who, from the late 1960s onwards, took nature as the starting point for their the creation of works conceived outside the ateliers. The exhibition establishes a dialogue between the works of these artists and works by some of the biggest names in Portuguese contemporary art, such as Alberto Carneiro, Fernando Lanhas, Lourdes Castro and Luísa Cunha. We found it in “Lines of Wind. Artistic paths in nature” a cross between painting and drawing, sculpture, photographic and audiovisual recording of actions and performance in the natural environment, thus establishing his artistic works in close relationship with the territory, anthropology, geology as well as ecology.

When: Until April 23, 2023

Where: Municipal Gallery of Matosinhos


“Antonio Carneiro. The poet with brushes” – Exhibition

In the year in which the 150th anniversary of the birth of the artist António Carneiro (1872-1930) is celebrated, the Municipality of Matosinhos remembers the painter widely represented in the municipal artistic collection with the inauguration of the retrospective exhibition “António Carneiro. The poet with brushes”.

The exhibition, the largest in the last 50 years of this poet and painter, takes place in Matosinhos, at the Quinta de Santiago Museum, and is open until February 26, 2023.

There are around 70 works, objects and documents, some of them unpublished or almost unknown, by the only Portuguese symbolist painter, which can be seen in this museum space in Leça da Palmeira from Tuesday to Friday, between 10am and 1pm and 3pm and 6pm , and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays between 3 pm and 6 pm.

António Carneiro (1872-1930) was born in Amarante on September 16, 1872, this year celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of this great plastic artist, considered one of the greatest Portuguese painters, between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.

A singular artist, with a dreamy and melancholic nature, «a painter greater than the country», in addition to being a landscaper, he was a portraitist, history painter, illustrator and poet.

Admission: 1€ (without ATM) – Free entry at opening and every Sunday

When: Until April 30, 2023

Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10am-1pm and 3pm-6pm; Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, 3 pm to 6 pm. As of April 1, the Museum opens with summer hours and the exhibition can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00.

Where: Museum of Quinta de Santiago


We count on you! – Tell tales

Give wings to your imagination and come fly through the magical world of books and enchanting stories! During the Story Time, the stories, almost always simple narratives and short stories, are told in such a way as to enthuse and awaken the imagination of the youngest.

When: Saturday at 11am or 3pm

Where: Florbela Espanca Municipal Library


ECO-MERCADO – Organic products fair

On Saturdays, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, in Jardim Basílio Teles, there is a fair of vegetables produced in organic farming, where you can find healthier and tastier food alternatives.

More information: here

When: Saturdays from 8 am to 1 pm

Where: Jardim Basilio Teles

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