Lisbon Newsletter - May 2026

May in Lisbon brings longer days, pleasant temperatures, and a relaxed atmosphere across the city's cobblestone neighborhoods. It is an inviting time to be outside, whether you are enjoying a slow morning coffee in a quiet square or taking an afternoon walk along the Tagus River. The city’s cultural calendar is also quite active this month, offering an interesting mix of contemporary art, independent festivals, and architectural events to explore at your own pace.

One of the month’s distinct highlights is FIMFA Lx26, the International Festival of Puppetry and Animated Forms, which begins on May 7. This engaging event gathers artists from all over the world to present a wide variety of shows, hands-on workshops, and creative performances. It is a great opportunity to experience imaginative storytelling and see unique animated forms staged in several different venues across Lisbon.

If you are curious about the city's built environment, Open House Lisboa takes place on May 9. This cultural initiative invites the public to step inside historic buildings, modern landmarks, and architectural spaces that are typically closed to everyday visitors. It provides a rare chance to view Lisbon’s structural heritage from the inside out and better understand how the local architecture has developed over the centuries.

For a quiet afternoon of contemporary art, the MAAT is currently hosting Poetic Earth by Anna Maria Maiolino. This extensive exhibition explores five decades of the artist’s work, featuring the thoughtful installations and sculptures that earned her the Golden Lion at the 2024 Venice Biennale. As her first solo museum show in Portugal, it offers a detailed look at her creative process and is open to visitors from Wednesday to Monday.

As you plan your days, walking is often the most practical way to uncover the layers of history hidden in plain sight. Consider joining our From Baixa to Alfama; Lisbon’s oldest districts and hidden history tour to wander through whitewashed alleys and take in the views from Portas do Sol. Ready to explore Lisbon on foot? Join one of our Walkative! tours in Lisbon and discover the city with a passionate local guide!

Date	Event	Category
November 22 - June 1	Between Word and Silence A long-running exhibition open throughout the month of May.	🖼️ Exhibition	More details →
January 1 - August 31	Poetic Earth by Anna Maria Maiolino Explore five decades of Anna Maria Maiolino's work in her first solo museum show in Portugal at MAAT, featuring poetic installations and sculptures that earned her the Golden Lion at the 2024 Venice Biennale. Visit Wednesday to Monday from 10:00 to 19:00 (closed Tuesdays and select holidays); admission details available on the MAAT website.	🖼️ Exhibition	More details →
January 31 - May 18	Jacob Kirkegaard: Testimonium An ongoing art exhibition by Jacob Kirkegaard at the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian's Centro de Arte Moderna.	🖼️ Exhibition	More details →
March 12 - May 8	Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow A retrospective exhibition bringing together works previously shown in Lisbon.	🖼️ Exhibition	More details →
March 20 - May 9	Sound Field Engage with sound as language through installations, performances, photography, and sculptures by artists like Helena Almeida and Jacopo Benassi at 3+1 Arte Contemporânea, reflecting on audio as both idea and medium across two gallery spaces. Opening hours and admission details available via the gallery.	🖼️ Exhibition	More details →
March 28 - May 9	Exhaling Blue, Sky of the Mouth Immerse yourself in contemporary art exploring thematic expressions at Balcony Contemporary Art Gallery, contemplating innovative visual narratives. Opening hours and admission details available via the gallery.	🖼️ Exhibition	More details →
April 30 - May 10	IndieLisboa International Film Festival IndieLisboa is an international film festival in Lisbon that showcases independent cinema, including short films, mockumentaries, and industry projects. The event features film screenings, industry talks, workshops, and a youth program called IndieJúnior.	🎪 Festival	More details →
May 3	5 Seconds of Summer The Australian pop-rock band performs a live concert at the MEO Arena.	🎵 Concert	More details →
May 6	Bad Bunny: DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS World Tour Bad Bunny brings his world tour to Lisbon with a performance at the MEO Arena.	🎵 Concert	More details →
May 7-10	WRC Vodafone Rally de Portugal The WRC Vodafone Rally de Portugal is a major World Rally Championship event. The 2026 edition features 23 special stages for top rally drivers.	⚽ Sport	More details →
May 7-31	FIMFA Lx26 - International Festival of Puppetry and Animated Forms FIMFA Lx26 is an international festival of puppetry and animated forms in Lisbon. The event features a wide range of shows, workshops, and performances by artists from around the world.	🎪 Festival	More details →
May 8	Lewis Ofman A live concert by Lewis Ofman hosted at LAV – Lisboa Ao Vivo.	🎵 Concert	More details →
May 9-10	Open House Lisboa Open House Lisboa is a cultural event that invites the public to explore and visit various architectural spaces, historic buildings, and landmarks across Lisbon.	🎪 Festival	More details →
May 16-22	ARRIVAL x Lisbon Experience a curated selection of international artists in a 7-day exhibition taking over a central Lisbon city space, showcasing contemporary works in an immersive setting. Opening hours and admission details to be confirmed via the event page.	🖼️ Exhibition	More details →