Raízes Vivas in Santarém: gastronomy and Ribatejo culture on 25–26 September

First, the essentials

Raízes Vivas – Festa da Ruralidade, Costumes e Tradições returns for its second edition on 25 and 26 September 2026 at Portas do Sol in Santarém. The festival brings together gastronomy, farming, local production, crafts, music and Ribatejo’s rural traditions in one programme.

The first edition took place in 2025 in the Avieira village of Caneiras. As the event has grown, this year it moves to Portas do Sol in Santarém’s historic centre.

The festival is organised by Entidade Regional de Turismo do Alentejo e Ribatejo together with Santarém City Council. The concept is led by Rodrigo Castelo, chef of Ó Balcão in Santarém. According to the organisers, as reported by TPN/Lusa, the second edition is expected to attract around 4,500 to 5,000 visitors.

Days and opening hours

Grandes Escolhas lists Friday, 25 September with doors opening at 18:00, while the concert and entertainment programme runs until 23:00. On Saturday, 26 September, doors open at 12:00 and the programme again runs until 23:00.

Tickets and options

Grandes Escolhas lists a daily ticket at €10 and a two-day ticket at €15. Entry for children under 12 is free.

Before buying, check the programme for the day you plan to attend and whether any specific side events have separate admission rules. With several cultural and traditional activities included in the festival, it is safer not to assume every part of the programme follows the same ticket conditions.

What can you expect?

Raízes Vivas is not designed as a simple food-stall festival. The organisers aim to showcase Ribatejo’s products, producers, traditional trades and cultural identity in the same setting.

• Jardins da Gastronomia: national chefs and local associations prepare dishes using regional products and local breeds.
• Producers, artisans and farmers: local production and traditional crafts from the region are represented across the festival site.
• Traditional trades: crafts and skills linked to Ribatejo’s rural life are presented to visitors.
• Music and culture: concerts, traditional music and regional cultural activities are spread across the two days.
• Agriculture and the future: talks and activities cover sustainability, climate change, agricultural innovation and local production.

A central theme is the direct connection between regional produce and gastronomy, allowing visitors to see not only the finished dish but also the producer and the product’s relationship with the region.

Why regenerative agriculture matters

One of the festival’s key themes is agricultura regenerativa, or regenerative agriculture. The approach goes beyond reducing environmental harm and focuses on improving soil health, biodiversity, water management and the long-term resilience of food production systems.

At Raízes Vivas, this subject is not treated separately from gastronomy. The relationship between production methods and the quality of local ingredients used by restaurants and the tourism sector is part of the festival’s broader narrative.

Ribatejo culture and traditions

The festival presents Ribatejo culture through more than food alone. The programme includes equestrian displays, traditional music and cultural activities, as well as a procession linked to Nossa Senhora da Piedade and an equestrian pilgrimage.

Activities linked to bullfighting traditions are also part of the programme, including the 2nd Raízes Vivas Charity Bullfight. This is one element of the wider cultural programme rather than the sole focus of the event.

Because Portas do Sol is in Santarém’s historic centre, the festival can also be combined with a short walk through the city and views over the Tagus valley.

A simple first-visit plan

Rather than trying to see everything at once, it may be easier to plan around what interests you most.

• If you are going for gastronomy: start with Jardins da Gastronomia and the producer areas.
• If you want to explore local culture: check the times for traditional displays, artisan areas and music.
• If agriculture and sustainability interest you: prioritise the regenerative agriculture and future-focused talks.
• If you want a longer visit: Saturday starts at 12:00, giving you more time to explore the site at a relaxed pace.

These are not organiser rules; they are PTNewsHub suggestions intended to make your visit easier to plan.

Final checks before you go

Programme details, concert times, side events and ticket conditions may change. This page was prepared using sources checked on 6 September 2026; check the latest official information again on the day of your visit.

PTNewsHub note: a full Ribatejo day in Santarém

Raízes Vivas stands out because it presents gastronomy together with producers, agriculture, crafts and regional culture. For people living in Portugal who have not yet explored Ribatejo in depth, the festival can be a useful reason to spend a day in Santarém while experiencing several aspects of the region in one place.

Friday has a shorter, evening-focused schedule, while Saturday runs from midday until late evening. From a practical point of view, Saturday may be the better option if you want to explore the event at a more relaxed pace.