Traditions

Join the Practice Portuguese team at their headquarters for a festive “White Elephant” gift exchange. Will they steal “presentes” from each other like savages, or play fair like good little Portuguese citizens?

Discover the heartwarming tradition of the Presépio Gigante in Vila Real de Santo António, Portugal.

The team celebrates Dia de São Martinho with roasted chestnuts and jeropiga.

Spring is here, so it’s time to learn about the Portuguese tradition of “Os Maios”!

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to celebrate Easter in Portugal? Portugal is a country with deep Catholic roots, so is a big celebration here. In fact, it’s probably the second biggest holiday after Christmas. Páscoa marks the remembrance of the death and rebirth of .

The Fonseca family is a Portuguese family that celebrates Easter according to the traditional customs. Susana has been cleaning frantically to prepare her house for this special occasion, but not everything will go according to plan.

For many people, Christmas is the most anticipated time of year. Learn more about how this festive time is celebrated in Portugal.

It’s almost that time of the year again! Whether you’re experiencing Christmas in Portugal firsthand or celebrating from afar, we want to share a number of our favourite resources to help you learn and communicate about the holiday season.

Learn about the legend and traditions behind the holiday of São Martinho.

Easter is widely celebrated in Portugal as a time for the family to get together and enjoy an abundance of delicious food. Learn more about the history of the holiday and how it is observed today.

Feliz Ano Novo! Find out how the Portuguese like to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

There’s a story behind Bolo Rei, a colourful cake that is always present at Christmas Eve dinner. Discover the meaning behind each component of this festive treat!

Christmas dinner is a sumptuous meal that brings the whole family to the table for socialization and celebration. Learn more about the treats and traditions of Christmas Eve in Portugal.

Portugal has several traditional folk dances, each expressing the soul of the people from different regions throughout the country.

This holiday season, a Practice Portuguese TV reporter takes to the streets to hear directly from Portuguese natives about their family Christmas traditions… until a particularly talkative woman steals the show!

In a special TV report about Christmas, Fernando, Sara and Bruno take the spotlight, after Fernando is invited to talk about his family’s holiday traditions.

What could be better than a holiday episode in January? (Just about anything!)

Listen to find out what happened to Rui that delayed this episode… and be extra prepared for when the holidays come around again in about 355 days!

We also discuss some quirky traditions and superstitions that Portuguese natives take part in during the New Year. Feliz janeiro!

Christmas in Portugal — the habits, the traditions, and the typical dishes. Discover everything in a two-speed text. Slow so you can understand, fast so you can practice!

Rui and Avó Odete drive around and talk about the best of Portugal, Christmas, and TAP strikes. She also reveals her grandmother’s secret use for soaps!

Rui and his mom have a question: where on the planet is the New Year celebrated first? Does anyone know?

Half Jesus, half chocolate! Portugal and its Easter traditions, in a video with subtitles so you can practice at your own pace.