In May, the cultural agenda of Greater Porto takes on a new vigor, in a kind of anticipation of the typical festive atmosphere of June, with the popular saints and more. For example, on the 23rd and 24th of this month, Vila Nova de Gaia hosts the FIMI – International Festival of the Iberian Mask.
Organized by the Municipality of Gaia and ADGTCP (Progestur) and supported by Turismo do Porto e Norte, FIMI 2025 promises a true celebration of ancestral traditions with a programme packed with activities, including an academic debate, an exhibition and a grand parade.
Program of the International Festival of the Iberian Mask
This festival is of particular importance due to its central role in the traditions of intangible culture , so it will bring together caretos, masqueraders and musical groups from Portugal and Spain.
For those interested in attending, here is the program:
May 23rd – Friday
- 16h, at the Corpus Christi Space – Debate on the theme “The regeneration of Traditions”
- 6:30 p.m., in the same space – opening of the exhibition “Golden Grain of Life”, by Radoslava Manova
May 24th – Saturday
- 16h30, starting at the Luís I bridge, International Iberian Mask Parade
Traffic restrictions
According to the municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia, the International Iberian Mask Parade will be attended by more than 500 participants, so some traffic restrictions are planned.
It should be noted that this particular initiative will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday (May 24), leaving from the Luís I bridge, passing through Beira-Rio to the Cais de Gaia and ending next to the Corpus Christi Space.
In this context, the following traffic disruptions are expected in the municipality of Gaia:
- Rua Rodrigues de Freitas, between Alameda da Serra do Pilar and Avenida da República, from 3.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.
- Rua do Pilar, between Calçada da Serra and Rua da Fervença, from 15h30 to 17h30
- Rua de Guedes Amorim, between Rua General Torres and Rua do Pilar, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Rua da Fervença, between Rua do Pilar and Rua General Torres, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Rua General Torres, between Rua da Fervença and Largo Luís I, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Rua Cabo Simão, between Calçada da Serra and Rua General Torres, and between Rua Casino da Ponte and Rua General Torres, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The main traffic restrictions can be consulted on this platform.