Occuring in every seaport of the country, the fishermens’ party is prominently religious and is a way of honouring the patron saints of each region in order to ask for protection for the fishermen of the area.
One of the best known is Nossa Senhora do Mar, in Nazaré, where many foreigners participate in the celebration that lasts for 3 days and watch the famous “procession of the fishing boats” where the image of the saint is carried.
The boats are decorated in honour of several religious figures and the party has, frequently, music and sardines.