Azores Entertainment

Entertainment in the Azores mainly centres on the larger resorts and hotels of the bigger beach resorts and towns, and features family-based entertainment and themed nights as opposed to full-on discos with a party-type atmosphere, making it more suitable for the discerning traveller.

Nightlife

Apart from the bars and restaurants in the large hotels, the nightlife on the main islands, including São Miguel, is low-key and café-based, and can go on until late at night, especially at weekends. The town of Horta, on the island of Faial, is also fairly bustling, but hardly a party town.  It also has its nightlife which revolves around the café and restaurant scene. There is no real music scene on the island, although many cafés in Ponta Delgada and Horta often have music nights with acoustic guitar players providing some Latino classics, while many hotel establishments in Ponta Delgada have late night discos and parties during festival times.

Festivals

Numerous festivals are conducted throughout the year in the Azores, with the main theme being one of religion. People come from all over to enjoy the masses and give alms, while wine is also the focus of celebration.

• Festival of the Christ of Miracles (Festa do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres) is the largest religious feast in the Azores and takes place in the city of Ponta Delgada, on São Miguel. The main event is a 3-hour procession through the streets of Ponta Delgada, held on the 5th Sunday after Easter.
• Sanjoaninas honours St Anthony, St Peter and St John with a large religious celebration on the island of Terceira featuring traditional folklore (late June).
• Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres is another religious festival which is celebrated with much vigour on the island of Graciosa in Santa Cruz (August).
• The Wine Harvest Festival (Festa das Vindimas) has been going for more than 100 years on the island of Pico and celebrates the culture of the production of wines (early September).