An annual calendar of events in Cacela Velha based on the latest confirmed editions: markets, Noites da Moura Encantada, Lime Day, EuroBirdwatch and nearby festivals. What is not announced for 2027 and where to confirm dates.
In Cacela Velha, most events run by the people who live and work in the village repeat every year, but the dates change. This guide covers the events I could confirm, with the date and source of the latest edition, and says where to find current dates. On 22 October 2026, the ADRIP page on this site had no confirmed upcoming events.
Quick answer
- Markets: spring, summer and autumn, on Sundays, from 10:30 to 17:30. In 2026: summer on 21 June and autumn on 27 September (ADRIP).
- Noites da Moura Encantada: three nights in July, from 18:00 to 24:00, with free entry; the latest edition I found was 11 to 13 July (published 30 June 2025) (Barlavento).
- Caia-me, Lime Day: a volunteer action in May; in 2025, on 24 May (Postal).
- EuroBirdwatch: a birdwatching walk held on 4 October 2026, from 8:30 to 12:00, 5 euros, registration required (ADRIP).
- Nearby: Medieval Days in Castro Marim and the São João da Degola festival in Manta Rota, both in late August.
- Not announced: I found no 2027 dates for any of these events. Always confirm before planning your trip.
Markets
Cacela Velha's markets are organised with ADRIP and the Cacela Heritage Information and Research Centre (CIIPC).
- Spring: a listing mentions Sunday 22 March, 10:30 to 17:30, free entry, with crafts, regional food, plants, natural soaps, books, antiques and second-hand goods. The listing does not give the year; 22 March was a Sunday in 2026 (Viral Agenda).
- Summer: Sunday 21 June 2026, 10:30 to 17:30. Vendor applications were open until 10 June (ADRIP).
- Autumn: Sunday 27 September 2026, 10:30 to 17:30. Vendor applications were open until 16 September, with product photos required for crafts and food (ADRIP).
- Entry price: the ADRIP blog does not give one.
Noites da Moura Encantada
This is the village's biggest summer event. According to Barlavento (30 June 2025), it ran from 11 to 13 July, from 18:00 to 24:00, with free entry, and included live music, oriental dance, food, a craft market (souk), theatre, workshops and street entertainment. In 2023 it ran from 14 to 16 July (Sul Informação). For 2024, Postal mentions three days, with doors opening at 18:00 and free entry, without dates in the excerpt.
- Where: Largo da Fortaleza, the parish church, the Cisterna de Cacela and the churchyard at sunset (2024 programme, Postal).
- Organisers: Vila Real de Santo António town hall, Ibérica – Eventos e Espetáculos and ADRIP.
- 2026 and 2027: I found no dates.
Caia-me, Lime Day
A volunteer action to whitewash public spaces in the village and keep up the tradition of white-lime façades. In 2025 it took place on Saturday 24 May, from 9:00 to 18:00; participation is free, with prior registration at the CIIPC (281 952 600) (Postal, 20 May 2025). Postal mentions earlier editions in 2023 and 2024, and ADRIP posted a recap of the 2026 action on 25 May 2026 (ADRIP), without the date.
EuroBirdwatch
A birdwatching walk held on 4 October 2026, from 8:30 to 12:00, in the Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António Marsh Nature Reserve, with the meeting point at Pastelaria Real Pão in Aldeia Nova. It cost 5 euros; registration was required by email (adrip.cacela@gmail.com), with a maximum of 15 people (ADRIP). The blog does not say whether it repeats. For other ideas, see Birds and Flamingos in the East Algarve.
Events near Cacela Velha
- Medieval Days, Castro Marim: 24 to 28 August 2022, 21 to 25 August 2024 and 27 to 31 August 2025, according to Postal. See Castro Marim.
- São João da Degola, Manta Rota: 24 to 29 August in 2025, with the Banho Santo on the beach on the 29th (Postal, 19 August 2025). See What to visit in Manta Rota.
- Tavira: Visit Tavira publishes events in the municipality, for example concerts in the churches.
How to confirm the dates
- The ADRIP page on this site and the ADRIP blog (email: adrip.cacela@gmail.com).
- The Vila Real de Santo António town hall agenda (cm-vrsa.pt).
- The CIIPC, for actions such as Lime Day (281 952 600).
Planning your visit
- Parking: the car park at the village entrance is free and small and, in July and August, it fills before 10:00. On event days, arrive early and see how to get to Cacela Velha.
- At the end of the day: see the sunset in Cacela Velha and the walk through the village.
- Sleeping: in July and August it is best to book early. See where to stay near Cacela Velha.
Where to stay
Sources
- ADRIP: blog (latest post 15 September 2026).
- Barlavento: Noites da Moura Encantada 2025. Postal: 2024 and Caia-me 2025. Sul Informação: 2023.
- Viral Agenda: Spring Market.
- Photographs: Jocelyn Erskine-Kellie (CC BY-SA 2.0), Mike Finn (CC BY 2.0) and Marc Ryckaert (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
Frequently asked questions
When are the Noites da Moura Encantada in Cacela Velha?
In July, for three nights, from 18:00 to 24:00 with free entry. The latest edition I found was 11 to 13 July, published 30 June 2025; in 2023 it was 14 to 16 July. I found no dates for 2026 or 2027.
Is there a craft market in Cacela Velha?
Yes, the ADRIP and CIIPC markets, on Sundays, from 10:30 to 17:30. In 2026 there were editions on 21 June (summer) and 27 September (autumn). The ADRIP blog does not give the entry price.
What is Caia-me, Lime Day?
A volunteer action to whitewash public spaces in Cacela Velha. In 2025 it was on 24 May; participation is free, with prior registration at the CIIPC (281 952 600).
Where can you confirm event dates?
On the ADRIP page on this site, the ADRIP blog, the Vila Real de Santo António town hall agenda and the CIIPC. On 22 October 2026 there were no confirmed upcoming events.