–
Senior Staff Writer
·
May 5, 2026
The Open Gardens Festival will once again open the gates to Lisbon’s most “secret” and “hidden” green spaces on May 23, 24, 30, and 31.
In the 15th edition, which this year celebrates volunteerism, you’ll get to see everything from school gardens to private palaces, and we already know where the tours will go.
What lies beyond these walls?
© Clau Pereira
The city is getting ready to show what treasures lie hidden behind the walls and iron gates of private properties, an event that every year draws crowds of nature lovers.
This year, the Open Gardens Festival invites you to return to the essentials, to the origins, while also highlighting the role of those who volunteer for these types of events, contributing to sustainable development.
Thus, on May 23, 24, 30, and 31 (two weekends), you’ll be able to discover “hidden” nature behind historic palaces, urban forests, and community projects that are normally out of the public eye, making this an exclusive event and a unique opportunity.
Highlights of the 15th edition of the Open Gardens Festival
© Clau Pereira
Every year is different, with very distinct offerings, which makes this festival a unique event from one edition to the next. The 2026 edition focuses on thediversity and involvement of local communities, with new features that symbolize the willingness to share among those who live in the city:
Gil Vicente School
Quinta do Ferro
Manchester City Street
As is also customary for this event, Open Gardens reinforces its participatory aspect, transforming you from a mere spectator into part of the ecosystem through planned gardening activities that invite you to literally get your hands in the soil to learn how to care for, prune, and plant.
The closing of the Open Gardens Festival promises to be one of the most memorable gastronomic moments of Lisbon’s spring: it will take place at the Monteiro-Mor Botanical Park, in a celebration that takes the form of a collective ritual, curated by the duo Joy Food, who will transform food into a bridge of sharing, a meal where time seems to slow down.
Useful information:
Location: Various locations in Lisbon (Palaces, Community Gardens, and Schools)
Dates: May23 , 24, 30, and 31
Tickets: free (with some activities requiring prior registration on the website)
+ Since you love nature so much, have you already discovered our favorite gardens and parks in Lisbon?
Don’t miss out! Follow us onFacebook,Instagram, and now onWhatsApp too!
Comments are closed.