Portugal Day Fest, Parade Returning To Newark For 2024: Event Dates

NEWARK, NJ — A popular parade, a restaurant tour and a flag raising ceremony are among the activities being planned for this year’s “Portugalidade” in Newark.

The Newark 2024 Day of Portugal committee recently announced the schedule of events for this year’s festivities, which will begin on April 11 and end on June 9. It’s the 45th year the cultural celebration is taking place in the Brick City.

The list of events includes:

• April 11 - Presentation of the honorees and the definitive program of the Day of Portugal in Newark at Peter Francisco Park.
• Date to be announced - Golf Tournament
• May 18 - Ironbound Stadium Folklore Festival
• May 23 - Grand Gala - Local to be announced
• May - Month of Gastronomy – Month of restaurants and typical Portuguese food with the participation of several Portuguese restaurants in the city of Newark.
• June 1 - Newark City Hall Flag Raising ceremony
• June 5 – Portugal Day Mass at Newark Cathedral
• June 7 – Opening of the Portuguese Festival at Peter Francisco Park and Ferry St.
• June 8 - Portuguese Festival at Peter Francisco Park and Ferry St.
• June 9 - Portugal Day races organized by Lar dos Leões on Ferry St.
• June 9 - Portugal Day Parade
• June 9 - Portuguese Festival at Peter Francisco Park and Ferry St.

Since 1979, hundreds of thousands of people have visited the city’s Ironbound neighborhood to take part in the annual festivities, which include folk dances and special performances that celebrate Portuguese culture. And of course, visitors can enjoy a bounty of foods from the bevy of Portuguese restaurants in the area, which have gained a reputation as some of the best in the state.

Fernando Grilo, chair of the Day of Portugal Committee in Newark, asked local groups and organizations to pitch in for this year’s celebration and “elevate the day of Portugal and these emblematic festivities.”

“We have already hired most of the artists for these festivities – we wanted to ensure this aspect to safeguard the quality of the event – and I can say that big names in music will brighten up our event this year,” Grilo said.

“We are working to have a high-quality party, and at this moment we want to invite to submit proposals for various areas, namely: sound and light, entertainment at Ferry Street, support structures (stages and electricity), and additional artists,” Grilo added.

All proposals must be submitted to diadeportugalnewark@gmail.com by Feb. 16 for consideration, he noted.

VENDORS

According to a news release from the committee, organizers are seeking more street vendors to take place in the 2024 festivities.

Prospective vendors and partners can contact diadeportugalnewark@gmail.com for more information.

• See Related: Portugal Day Parade Draws Thousands to Ironbound
• See Related: PHOTOS: Newark's Ironbound Hosts Annual Portuguese Parade

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