If you are in the Azores at this time, take part in one of these traditions and live Carnival like you have never lived before.
For more information, use our guide – your best travel companion.
The time of “Entrudo” in the Azores is made of traditions. The various islands celebrate Carnival with parades, marches, dances, caretos, water battles and with some typical cuisine to mix. Of these festivities, the traditional Carnival dances stand out on Terceira Island, São Miguel Island, the dances at the Coliseu Micaelense and the Battle of Limas and, on Graciosa Island, the Mandado dance and the chocolate dance.
“É Carnaval, ninguém leva a mal”
The Carnival Dances on Terceira Island
The Carnival in Terceira island is a cultural manifestation very appreciated, above all, for its difference in relation to the traditional Carnival festivities of other countries and places.
The marches, dances and balls are performed by hundreds of people from the island. The sword dances, the pandeiro dances, the bailinhos and comedies and expressions of popular theatre, mostly accompanied by music and comedy texts, has as its main objective and target the satire of public characters, policies and institutions that work in a way that does not please the population.
The performances take place in more than 30 theatres on the island.
Gala Dances at the Coliseum and the Battle of Limes of São Miguel Island
The Gala Dances appear, documented, since the 19th century, initially made in private houses and other spaces of culture and recreation by the upper class. This year, they take place on February 21 and 24 at the Coliseu Micaelense.
They appeared as an alternative to the most brutal celebrations made in the streets, such as the Battle of Limas in Ponta Delgada.
The Battle of Limes takes place in the centre of the city of Ponta Delgada and several teams follow in trucks and make a battle among themselves with limes (small wax containers with water inside) and plastic bags with water.
The children do their battles with guns and balloons.
Carnival in Graciosa Island
It is one of the most typical in the Azores and is celebrated with many dances and joy, with much influence of the Brazilian Carnival.
In several places on the island, the court music allies with the “baile mandado” which is danced at a slower pace and on wheels. There is still the tradition of the “chocolate dance”, in which gentlemen invite the ladies to dance and then have to offer them chocolate. These take place in sports club halls, people’s houses and fire stations and have free entrance.
Typical Carnival Gastronomy
Carnival is synonymous with excesses and as at this time “no one takes it badly” fried sweets give the true meaning to the time in question.
The malassadas, the coscorões, the golden slices and the roses of the Egpito are the favourite sweets of this time.