Yes, another edition of the Portalegre Conventual and Traditional Sweets Fair is coming up. This year’s 22nd edition will take place between April 19 and 21, 2024.

The fair will be held at the Monastery of São Bernardo and will feature more than 40 exhibitors.

This year’s program includes confectionery workshops led by Cristiano Louro, chef at the Portalegre Hotel and Tourism School, and Carla Parreira, chef at the Convento do Espinheiro in Évora.

Thus, visitors will have the opportunity to taste various Alentejo specialties: Pão de Rala, Toucinho do Céu, Castanhas de Ovos, Fidalgos, Queijinhos do Céu, among many others.

In short, you can also take the opportunity to visit the photography exhibition that will pay homage to Judite Cardoso, the region’s well-known confectioner.

The event is now part of the region’s cultural calendar and promises three days full of flavors and traditions, celebrating the typical sweets of the city and the Alentejo region.

Complete Program

April 19th

• 18h30: Opening with a musical performance by the Banda Filarmónica da Sociedade Recreativa Musical Alegretense.
• 19h00: Inauguration of the tribute exhibition to D. Judite Cardoso: “A Mestre da Doçaria Conventual de Portalegre”, with photography by Raul Ladeira and José João Bica.
• 19h30: Musical performance by students from the North Alentejo School of Arts.
• 21:30: “Sintonias” (Tunes), an artistic co-production by the Escola de Artes do Norte Alentejano, with Professor José Raimundo on the piano, Tamara Torres and Rui Ramos on the violins and guest soprano Filomena Silva.
• 22:30: Closing of the Fair.

April 20th

• 11h00: Opening of the Fair.
• Competitions: Best Conventual Sweet, Best Traditional Liqueur and Boleima de Portalegre 2024 Competition (open to the public).
• 15:30: Trovadores do Alentejo.
• 17h00: Showcooking by the Portalegre School of Hospitality and Tourism with pastry chef Cristiano Louro.
• 18h00: Show “Cante nos Claustros” (Singing in the Cloisters) with the Os Lagóias Singing Group and young students from the Mouzinho da Silveira Secondary School.
• 21h30: Fado Night with Dina Valério, Manuel Baptista, Hugo Ramos (Portuguese guitar) and Miguel Monteiro (fado guitar).
• 22:30: Closing of the Fair.

April 21st

• 11h00: Opening of the Fair.
• Competitions: Best Traditional Jam.
• 15h00: Cantalagoa singing group.
• 16h00: “Flavors with Stories” – Tales of Cá, Cá Rá Cá session with actress/ puppeteer Ângela Ribeiro.
• 17h00: Showcooking with Carla Parreira, Pastry Chef at Convento do Espinheiro.
• 17h30: Presentation by the “O Semeador” singing group from Portalegre.
• 19h00: Closing of the Fair.

In short, the XXII Portalegre Conventual and Traditional Sweets Fair is an invitation to all lovers of gastronomy and traditional culture, offering a diverse and attractive program for the whole family. Don’t miss this opportunity to taste the local delicacies and take part in the various activities on offer at the fair.