Festa dos Povos in Aquae Flaviae 2026 — Chaves Galician-Roman Market
For three days in August, the historic centre of Chaves travels back to the empire of Titus Flavius Vespasian for the 12th edition of the Festa dos Povos Galician-Roman market. Gladiators, legionaries, merchants and deities take over the streets in one of northern Portugal's largest historical reenactments.
Chaves — the Roman city of Aquae Flaviae — dresses up in Galician-Roman costume once again for the 12th edition of the Festa dos Povos em Aquae Flaviae, held from 14 to 16 August 2026 in the city's historic centre. It is one of the largest historical reenactment festivals in Trás-os-Montes and one of the best reasons to visit the Alto Tâmega in high summer.
The heart of the celebration is the Galician-Roman market, set up along the streets and squares of the old town, between Trajan's Roman Bridge and the medieval Keep Tower. Dozens of artisans, food producers, merchants, associations and parish councils run stalls selling regional delicacies — bread, smoked sausages, the famous Chaves ham, convent pastries, wine and craft beer — alongside pottery, weaving, blacksmithing and jewellery inspired by antiquity.
Across the three days the programme is packed with street entertainment: staged combat with gladiator fights, traditional wrestling and quarterstaff games; legionary weapons drills; mythological reenactments; live music and dance; fire shows; falconry displays; folk games; a lively circus maximus; and torch-lit night processions that wind through the whole city.
The streets fill with Galician tribespeople, legionaries, senators, musicians, dancers, slaves, beggars, falconers and gods, in a constant swirl of vignettes portraying daily life in Roman Aquae Flaviae — the town that Emperor Titus Flavius Vespasian raised to municipal status in the 1st century AD, and whose thermal springs still gush at 76 °C in the city centre today.
One of the most popular moments is the Galician-Roman banquet, served at long communal tables with dishes inspired by period recipes, accompanied by music and theatrical performances. Many visitors rent or buy period costumes at the market stalls to get fully into the spirit.
The Festa dos Povos is organised by the Municipality of Chaves and traditionally takes place in August, drawing thousands of Portuguese and Galician visitors — Verín and the Spanish border are just a few kilometres away. Entry to the market grounds is generally free; you only pay for food, drink, themed banquets and certain activities.
Practical tips: the historic centre is closed to traffic during the festival, so park in the lots beside the River Tâmega and walk in. Friday and Saturday nights are the liveliest. Combine your visit with the Chaves Thermal Baths, the Flaviense Region Museum, and a tasting of the town's celebrated ham and folar bread. Always check the detailed programme on the Municipality of Chaves website before travelling.