Day of Portugal brings happy visitors and vibrancy to Little Portugal

  • Crowds gather along a pedestrianised street in Little Portugal, enjoying outdoor dining and the Day of Portugal celebration in Lambeth.
  • Festival attendee holding a large Portuguese flag while standing among the crowd.
  • Families and visitors enjoy food and outdoor seating outside local cafés and businesses during Lambeth's Day of Portugal celebration.
  • A young musician in traditional Portuguese dress plays the accordion during a cultural performance at the Day of Portugal celebration.
  • A volunteer grills fresh sardines at an outdoor barbecue as visitors gather for the Day of Portugal celebration in Little Portugal.
  • Child wearing a Portugal football kit rides a hobby horse through the festival street.
  • Lambeth event volunteer in a blue high-visibility vest standing beside an information stall at the festival.
  • Three festival-goers wearing matching Portugal-themed clothing and hats pose together for a photograph.
  • A capoeira group performs on stage for visitors during the Day of Portugal celebration in Little Portugal.
  • Festival-goer smiling and waving while holding a drink outside a Portuguese restaurant decorated for the event.
  • Two people dancing together in front of a stage as festival-goers gather for live entertainment.

Local businesses, community organisations and residents came together on Saturday, 13 June as Lambeth celebrated Day of Portugal on Wilcox Road, in the heart of Little Portugal. 

Delivered in partnership with the Lambeth Portuguese Wellbeing Partnership, the event saw the street transformed into a vibrant celebration space, showcasing the diverse cultures, food and traditions of Portuguese-speaking communities from across the world.  Attendees enjoyed barbecues hosted by local businesses, live performances representing eight Portuguese-speaking countries, children’s activities and cycling-themed experiences. 

Dozens of visitors also took part in an arts workshop hosted by CarverHaggard, a local design practice. Lambeth has commissioned CarverHaggard to deliver a feasibility study, exploring design options for a “gateway” sign welcoming people from Nine Elms Station to Wilcox Road, which could be delivered in future if Lambeth secures funding. Event attendees created badges, spray-painted flags, and drawings inspired by their heritage and the local area. Their works will inspire design options for the gateway.      

This event was supported by UK Shared Prosperity funding and Section 106 receipts from nearby developments. 

  • Banner for the Lambeth Portuguese Wellbeing Partnership displayed at an information stall.
  • Stack of bilingual English and Portuguese wellbeing journals displayed on a table at a community sta
  • Participant adding a self-portrait to a collaborative community artwork at the Lambeth Portuguese Wellbeing Partnership stall.
  • A young participant speaks on stage alongside an event host during the Day of Portugal celebration.
  • Two festival-goers wearing Brazil football shirts pose together at the Day of Portugal celebration.
  • Festival attendee smiling while holding the national flag of Cape Verde.
  • Volunteer carrying out repairs on a bicycle at a free bike maintenance stall during the festival.
  • Children's drawings and colourful artwork displayed on a wire fence during the community festival.
  • Group of festival attendees posing together and smiling for a photograph in Little Portugal.
  • Street performer in a bright red costume and top hat juggles clubs while entertaining visitors at the Day of Portugal celebration in Little Portugal.
  • Festival attendee holding the national flag of Guinea-Bissau during the multicultural celebration.
  • Handwritten notes and sketches on a large community ideas board, with a marker pen and alphabet stickers alongside.
  • A smiling performer in traditional dress takes part in a cultural dance performance during the Day of Portugal celebration.

Events like the Day of Portugal play an important role in supporting Lambeth’s local economy. The celebration attracted visitors and boosted spending for local businesses. The celebration was also an important opportunity for cultural exchange, community connection and civic pride. 

Sandra and Jose da Silva, owners of Silva’s Café and Tugal Foods on Wilcox Road, said: “It was wonderful to see people from different cultures and backgrounds coming together to celebrate and enjoy themselves, especially at a time when there seems to be so much division.” 

Feedback from attendees showed the event had a positive impact on perceptions of the area, with more than 90% agreeing the celebration made them feel positive about the neighbourhood and that they felt safe and included throughout the event. 

The activities delivered on Lambeth’s Night Time Economy Strategy actions to deliver more evening and night time events for Lambeth’s diverse communities in public spaces and to showcase the unique local culture in Oval and Stockwell.