The best things to do in Cascais in March

The first edition of the year of Market Stylista takes place on March 29th and 30th at FIARTIL, in Estoril. It’s the Spring edition of the market, where dozens of brands of clothing, accessories, decor, and children’s items – almost all Portuguese – come together, along with food and drink stalls and plenty of entertainment.

If you want to celebrate Carnival the Brazilian way, the place to be in Cascais is Palaphita. The Amazon jungle at Casa da Guia will host the Capivara Ball on March 1st, featuring DJ sets and a concert by the band Samba Fixe. The following day, it’s time for the Kids Carnival, with the highlight being a mask contest. There’s also a new addition at Palaphita: they now offer a breakfast menu, which on Fridays can be enjoyed alongside a yoga session.

To present his album SNTMNTL, released a year ago, Diogo Piçarra is embarking on an auditorium tour, which now stops at the Salão Preto e Prata of the Casino Estoril. “Há Sempre Uma Música” (There’s Always a Song), also the title of one of his tracks, is the theme for this intimate tour, which includes songs from throughout his prolific career. Piçarra will perform accompanied only by Filipe Cabeçadas (on drums, programming, and guitars). Tickets are available from €18.

As expected, the Quinta do Pisão will be one of the main spots in the municipality to celebrate Carnival, especially for families. On the 1st, 2nd, and 4th of March, you can participate in the activity "Descubram o segredo do Cuquedo" (Discover the Cuquedo's Secret), a treasure hunt where participants will need to decipher clues along a trail. On March 1st, there will be a workshop to paint Carnival masks, as well as another where participants can learn how to make their own "cabeçudo" (a traditional oversized carnival head). On the 2nd, a workshop will combine the powers of seeds with the superpowers of superheroes. March 4th will feature face painting.

March at Quinta do Pisão doesn’t stop at Carnival: look forward to an insect hotel-building activity, a river monitoring session as part of the Rewilding project, and a workshop on bees and honey, which includes a tasting, among other initiatives.

At Centro Cultural de Cascais, from March 1st, you can discover the stunning photographs of Rodney Smith. The exhibition "Rodney Smith - A Alquimia da Luz" showcases the work of the American photographer, known for his cleverly captured images that illustrate surrealistic scenes, often with compositions that emphasise aesthetics. In total, the exhibition includes over 100 photographs.

The Michelin Guide 2025 Gala, held at the end of February in Porto, highlighted the inclusion of the restaurants Izakaya and Conceito in the prestigious and coveted guide. The restaurant, run by Tiago Penão and Isaac Jorge Penão, has already secured its place in the heart of Cascais. Inspired by traditional Japanese taverns, the restaurant blends authenticity with a touch of modernity, offering a unique gastronomic experience. Meanwhile, Conceito, located in Bicesse and founded over 13 years ago by the talented chef Daniel Estriga, offers sophisticated and innovative signature cuisine. The restaurant is known for its menu that constantly evolves with the seasons, providing a unique experience that invites customers to return for new discoveries.

In addition to these new entries, the gala also celebrated Fortaleza do Guincho, Midori, and Lab by Sergi Arola at the Penha Longa Resort, all of which retained their Michelin stars.

On March 1st, 2nd and 4th, Mercado da Vila promises to dress up for Carnival, with music alluding to the season between 15.00 and 22.00. Celebrate like a true reveller in the centre of Cascais. Entry is free.

One of the new events taking place this year in Cascais, the Jornadas Portuguesas da Gastronomia, will be held on March 20th and 21st at the Centro Cultural de Cascais. This event focuses on Portuguese sweets (and Cascais' regional specialties) and includes talks, lectures, workshops, and tastings. Registrations to attend the various sessions and participate in the Jornadas Portuguesas da Gastronomia can be made online. Most activities are free of charge, but some initiatives, such as workshops or the final dinner, have a fee. The full program can be found on the local council’s website.

At O Relógio, the building that once served as the Town Hall and became home to several Portuguese brands last year, you can discover MESQ's multidisciplinary art made from recycled materials, mainly paper and cardboard packaging. Ana Mesquita, the artist’s real name, has prepared 25 works for a dynamic and interactive space, which also includes a mini cinema room and a live studio. The exhibition "Não Descartáveis" (Not Discardable) features sculptures, collage works, and installations created specifically for the space, addressing themes such as nature, the animal world, and comics.

It’s one of the most significant sagas in pop culture in recent decades, and its film adaptation produced a soundtrack that eventually won an Oscar. Now, you’ll be able to hear Howard Shore’s compositions on the stage of the Salão Preto e Prata at Casino Estoril on March 14th, performed by the musicians of the Lords of the Sound Symphony Orchestra — from the eerie sounds of Mordor to the lyrical melodies of the elves, and the cheerful harmonies of the hobbits. Tickets are available starting at €39.

Every month, the Cascais Food Lab organizes showcooking sessions at Mercado da Vila, focusing on different ingredients that are explored through various recipes, ranging from appetizers to desserts. In March, the spotlight will be on cuttlefish (March 5th), leek (March 12th), purple carrots (March 19th), and wild mushrooms (March 26th). After the demonstration, you'll have the chance to sample the dishes. The sessions are free to attend and take place from 12.00 to 13.00.

There will also be a workshop for mini chefs on March 3rd at 14.00, where kids will learn to make cake pops shaped like ice creams, covered in chocolate and decorated in all sorts of ways, according to their creativity and in true Carnival style. This activity is designed for children aged 6 to 12.

Another concert scheduled for Casino Estoril this March is by Sétima Legião, a historic Portuguese band that made its mark in the 80s and 90s. They will perform at the Salão Preto e Prata on March 21st, starting at 21.30. Remember hits like "Sete Mares" or "Por Quem Não Esqueci." Tickets are available from €35.

Amateur theatre takes centre stage throughout March in Cascais, with the return of the Teatro Entre Nós Festival, which will take place at the Academia de Artes do Estoril from March 14th to 30th. The programme includes 14 performances across different theatrical genres, interpreted by 13 amateur theatre groups. This year there are two debuts: from the Grupo Teatral Festiva Enseada and Grupo Bate Palco - UNIS Sassoeiros. Admission is free for all performances. Check out the full programme on the municipality’s website.

Looking for ideas for things to do with the little ones? How about trying the Board Game Festival, specially designed for families, which will take place at the Salão Preto e Prata of the Casino Estoril on March 22nd and 23rd? This is the fourth edition of the event, which welcomes participants of all ages and aims to offer a cultural experience in person, so that not all moments of fun have to happen in front of screens in an increasingly digital world. Tickets cost €2 and will be available for purchase on-site during the festival days.

Melomania on Sundays is back at the Palácio da Cidadela in Cascais. Every Sunday morning, during March and April (except for Easter Sunday), the Salão de Vidro will transform into a stage for various musical ensembles from the Air Force Band. Tickets cost €3, and registrations must be made in advance via email at museu@presidencia.pt or by calling 213 614 660.

The well-known Carcavelos Boot Sale has a little bit of everything, from antiques and second-hand items to clothes, decor pieces, vinyl records, books, toys, and furniture. The next edition is scheduled for March 2nd.

If it's more convenient for you to go to the centre of Cascais, the Mercado da Vila will be hosting its own boot sale on the same day, March 2nd, with plenty of second-hand items to discover.