The festival is scheduled from February 2 to February 4, taking place at Alta Mora, where the venue will be painted in white and pink tones.

The Associação Recreativa, Cultural e Desportiva dos Amigos da Alta Mora (ARCDAA), the founder and host of this event, has started the preparations for this 3rd edition of the festival, which this year will benefit from the Estatuto de Mecenato Cultural.

The Almond Blossom Festival is a strategic and promotional initiative for the traditions and identity of the region, with the goal of combating desertification in the Algarve mountains. This third edition marks the region’s tourist itinerary in the middle of the low season.

Entry is free for children up to 10 years old. From 11 to 14 years old a ticket is €2 and for adults it’s €3. During the three days of the festival, the program will be available in six languages (PT, ES, FR, EN, DE, NL).

Hiking is the modality of choice in the region, including four routes (5km, 8km, 11km and 20 km) during the event, with different levels of difficulty, for those who want to take part in the more adventurous aspects of the festival.

The event will also feature new shows on three stages in the venue. On the Folk and World Music circuit: Al-Fanfare, Grupo Recanto, Magano, Pé na Terra, DJ Gaiteirinho and Filipe Santos. In flamenco, Ana Barba. The acclaimed tribute to the accordion with António Manuel, Ernesto Batsita and Silvino Campos. Popular music with Alcante, Seiva, Afonso Dias and Pardais á Solta. In the field of ethnography, the Grupo Etnográfico Amendoeiras em Flor, the Rancho Folclórico do Azinhal and the Grupo Coral e Etnográfico Vozes de Almodôvar.

In the performing arts, the exaltation of Portuguese folklore with Sofia Pimentão, the recreation of the famous “lenda das amendoeiras em flor” by the Satori Association and the show “Festival da Art’Rite”, staged by the CCD of Castro Marim. In dance, the “Arutla” from the Clube Recreativo Alturense and the Sevillian dance group Gracia Diaz. To remember the 2023 edition, there will be a photography exhibition, the “II Festival de Amendoeiras em Flor” by the Associação ¼ Escuro.

Children’s entertainment will include face painting, traditional games, farm animals, donkey rides and live statues.

The traditional giant almond pie will be making a comeback, with the collaboration of the Escola de Hotelaria e Turismo de VRSA, and it now totals 42 meters. Additionally, there will be a larger street market, taverns and the “artisan village”. Bread and bakery workshops and almond tree planting workshops will also be returning. Registration is free, however it is mandatory.

The 2024 edition has financial support from the Sistema de Incentivos Portugal Events do Turismo and IEFP support through the Arts and Crafts Promotion Program.

This is an ARCDAA initiative in partnership with the Municipality of Castro Marim and the Parish Council of Odeleite.