If you’re looking for a culturalgetaway close to the city, get ready to head to Santo Tirso. Just about half an hour away from Porto, memory as a creative force is the central theme of the 2026 edition of the Santo Tirso International Guitar Festival (FIGST).
Over the course of five days, from October 14 to 18, FIGST offers a journey between tradition and contemporary art, bringing together leading guitarists from six different countries (the United Kingdom, Portugal, Sweden, Russia, Uruguay, and Brazil) in a program that goes far beyond concerts.
The program for the International Guitar Festival
The opening of the 29th edition is scheduled for October 14 at 9:30 p.m., featuring the British Mela Guitar Quartet, the 2023 winner of the International Ensemble Competition hosted by the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America (GFA). The following day, the Al Jus Duo —composed of Davide Amaral and António Justiça—embodies the spirit of the festival by presenting contemporary Portuguese music, with a tribute to composer Bernardo Sassetti.
On October 16, two distinct performances share the program: Duo Nura, featuring Leonor Biu and Filipe Neves Curral, blends popular, classical, and folk music inspired by Iberian and South American traditions; and the Swedish guitarist Johannes Möller, winner of the European Guitar Award (2009) and the top prize at the GFA’s International Concert Artist Competition (2010), brings his renowned technical virtuosity and a fusion of sounds from various parts of the world.
Beyond the Stages
The program also includes educational activities for schools and families, a Media Arts showcase, the photography exhibition “Magnetic Resonance: The Guitarist Back to His True Self,” the film “Stories of the Rio Ave, ” roundtable discussions, lectures, and masterclasses— all of which reinforce the festival’s connection to the local community.
Useful Information
📍Where: Fábrica de Santo Thyrso, in Santo Tirso
🚗 How to get there: About a 30- to 40-minute drive from Porto (via the A3). If you’d rather not drive, you can take the Porto Urban Trains (Guimarães Line—Santo Tirso stop).
📅When: October 14–18
🎟️Tickets: more information on the officialwebsite
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