Lagos prepares for famous midnight swim event ‘Banho 29’

Lagos and Praia da Luz beach to celebrate traditional ‘bath’ with live music, performances, fireworks and more

– August 21, 2024

The annual traditional celebration of the ‘Banho 29’ midnight swim is coming up this August 29, with a ‘big party’ that will take place simultaneously in the city of Lagos and Praia da Luz beach.

Originally associated with the rituals marking the end of the summer season, this event of unclear origins is one of the biggest celebrations in Lagos during summer.

In the city, at 11am the Lagos Study Centre will take the public on a journey through time with a historical reenactment along the Avenida dos Descobrimentos and Praia da Batata, evoking the times when people came from the countryside with their coolers to enjoy the coastline.

Taking place at Cais da Solaria and Jardim da Constituição, the party will start at 6pm with a Zumba class (Ana Leal), followed by a circus show (Nuno & Companhia) at 6.45pm, a performance by the Ricardo Pires Quarteto (Algarve Jazz Orchestra) at 7.30pm, and DJ André Salgueiro at 8.30pm.

After that, the traditional bathing costume competitions will return with ‘Tradition and Community’ and ‘Fashion and Innovation’.

Singer Humberto Silva will be in charge of ‘livening things up’ at 10.30pm, with midnight reserved for the long-awaited and invigorating night-time bath accompanied by fireworks.

The 5ex Band will perform into the night to keep the entertainment going.

At the same time, Praia da Luz beach will have 3 different stages – Fortaleza, Areal and Rocha Negra – with live music from 6pm up until 3am: