Carnival festivities are happening all over Portugal for the next few weeks. This past Saturday Nazare had a parade from 10am-8pm. We went down to the beach in the afternoon and were able to see a 4-5 different groups. It seems like the same groups went around and around all day. They had huge trucks (one was the size of a semi) and they would have bands playing live music on top and a crowd of people all dressed in the same costume following. The one float even had beer taps in the side and when the float stopped all the ladies in that group would crowd around and get drinks (they had cups strung on necklaces).
While the floats were going by the kids were able to play on the beach and Chris and I got to relax and watch all the people go by in their costumes. We even saw a three person tandem bike!
It was one of the hottest days yet, well over 70, so we decided to get some gelato. Max had to get vanilla, of course, and it was some of the best vanilla ice cream/gelato we’ve ever had. We shared an Oreo milkshake with the girls (they loved it) and a chocolate sundae with M&Ms.
There are more festivities happening all over Portugal, but we’re not sure how much we’ll be able to see because it’s very had to find information about what’s happening. Nothing is online and you just have to read the posters you see on the street, but a lot of the time they just tell you the date something is happening and the city, not necessarily where and what time.
This group was all females dressed in an Egyptian costume, but it was all ages, including a couple of babies dressed up!
We didn’t get a great picture of this group, but they are dressed more like the traditional “Seven skirts” women of Nazare. Notice their hats are boats with lights!
Another group of women (again all ages) this group dressed in green.
Typical street in Nazare with the sunset in the background, as we walked home.