The Largest Portuguese Festival in the World Takes Place in Massachusetts
This iconic celebration is the largest Portuguese festival in the world, combining culture & heritage with food and Madeira wine.
The Feast of the Blessed Sacrament is a beloved annual tradition held in New Bedford, Massachusetts, every summer. Put on by members of the Club Madeirense S.S. Sacramento, volunteers and members of the New Bedford community, this is one of the biggest cultural festivals near Boston. It began in 1915, when a group of Portuguese immigrants from the region of Madeira decided to recreate the religious festivals from their homeland. This gathering would help to preserve their culture and bring their community together. It also celebrated their safe passage from Portugal to America. What started as a small, local religious event for family and friends, has grown into a four-day festival that attracts hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world every year.
Now celebrating its 109th Feast, the dazzling celebration of Portuguese heritage is one of the most unique things to do in Massachusetts. It’s not only a cultural and religious event – it’s a full-blown party. Packed with parades, cultural music & dancing, delicious traditional food, Madeira wine, and activities that highlight the rich traditions of the Portuguese-American community, there’s fun for all ages. During the festival, you can also visit the Museum of Madeiran Heritage for free. Dive into the culture and heritage of Madeiran immigrants who have made the United States their home.
When is the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament: The 109th Feast Celebration Details
The 2025 Feast of the Blessed Sacrament takes place Thursday, July 31 through Sunday, August 3 at Madeira Field in New Bedford. This convenient location is easily accessible via the Commuter Rail Fall River/New Bedford line and thanks to Keolis massAdventures, you can enjoy one of the best and most exciting summer day trips from Boston!
Why take the train? Parking near the Feast is notoriously limited. With Keolis massAdventures, your round-trip journey is covered, from the train to shuttle service to and from the Feast, you’ll arrive stress-free and ready to feast!
Cultural Performances: Watch as dancers in colorful red and white outfits whirl across the stage in traditional Portuguese folk dances and performances that celebrate the heritage of Madeira Island.
Live Music: Enjoy concerts all weekend long from over 50 musical artists across five different stages. From traditional Portuguese fado to pop, rock, and international artists, the lineup will satisfy all different music tastes! These concerts are all free!
Museum & Cultural Tent: Learn about the history of the Portuguese community in New Bedford and their contributions to the city at the Museum of Madeiran Heritage. Visitors can discover the story of Madeiran immigration to the United States through photographs and artifacts. The Club Madeirense S.S. Sacramento hosts this unique museum, which is the only one of its kind in the United States.
Amusement Rides: Carnival-style amusements make this event fun for the kids and kids-at-heart. Ride to the top of the ferris wheel, spin on a midway ride, or make your way through the fun house. Try your luck at one of the various booths’ games, shooting baskets, tossing darts to pop balloons, or race against friends in an epic water gun game.
Parade: The Feast celebrates its last day (Sunday) with the largest parade on the Southcoast. With colorful parade floats, lively community organizations, folkloric dancers, and marching bands whose music brings the city to life, the parade kicks off the day of fun with major celebratory vibes.