Celebrating All Saints' Day and Halloween in Portugal
- Portugal the Simple Life
- Oct 29
- 4 min read
Halloween in Portugal is becoming increasingly popular, visible in decorated shop windows and the excitement of children embracing this Anglo-Saxon tradition. Yet, tradition remains strong, with most of the Portuguese population proudly continuing to celebrate age-old customs.
Every year, the Portuguese celebrate All Saints’ Day on November 1st, a national holiday in Portugal and a very important festivity for many Roman Catholic countries.
On this day, from North to South, the Portuguese join family and friends to honour loved ones who have passed. For Catholics, it is also a day to pay homage to saints, martyrs and other important Christian figures.
This holiday has been celebrated for centuries, first by the pagans and then by Christians. Today, it is celebrated with different rituals around the world, and the Portuguese traditions are also very unique.
All Saints’ Day in Portugal: honouring the past, while celebrating the present
Although many shops, cafés and restaurants are open on November 1st, all public services, schools and most businesses close during this national holiday.
Families begin the day by visiting cemeteries, decorating the graves of loved ones with bouquets of flowers and lighting candles. By sunset, cemeteries across Portugal glow with colour, and as night falls, the flickering candlelight softly illuminates the tombstones of those still lovingly remembered.
During the afternoon, the festivities continue in true Portuguese style: at the table, of course! Families gather at home to savour seasonal foods and snacks, including walnuts, roasted chestnuts, almonds and dried figs. But for children, the highlight of the day is another century-old tradition, known as "Pão por Deus" (bread for God).
The tradition of Pão por Deus
Children usually enjoy this holiday by going door to door to ask for “Pão por Deus”. In some regions of Portugal, this tradition has different rituals:
In the region of Trás-os-Montes, the tradition takes a different name — children ask for Pão das Almas, or 'Bread of Souls,' instead of Pão por Deus.
In parts of central Portugal, the day is known as Dia do Bolinho, and children go door to door calling out, 'Ó tia, dá bolinho!' — which means, 'Auntie, give me a little cake!' The traditional bolinho is a small cake, also known as broa or broinha, typically made with dried nuts, olive oil, honey, and other seasonal treats.
In other regions of Portugal, godparents offer their godchildren a small cake called "santoro".
In the old days, children asking for "Pão por Deus" would receive walnuts, chestnuts and seasonal fruits such as apples or pomegranates. However, as Portugal has become more open to other nationalities and cultures, some people have also started to hand out candy or other sweets in an imitation of Halloween traditions.
Usually, small children visit their neighbourhood in groups, accompanied by adults. This age-old tradition brings the community together and celebrates the joy the Portuguese have in sharing food and welcoming neighbours.
Halloween in Portugal and the similarities with "Pão por Deus"
Contrary to popular belief, Halloween did not originate in the United States but in Europe. Centuries ago, the Celts — particularly in regions like Ireland and Scotland — celebrated a festival called Samhain, a Gaelic tradition that eventually evolved into what we now know as Halloween. One of the most recognizable rituals involved wearing masks and going door to door asking for food — a practice that echoes in modern celebrations today.
Over time, different versions of this ancient custom spread across the world, with many Catholic countries adjusting the date and rituals to distance the celebration from its pagan origins.
Today, the main differences between Halloween and the Portuguese "Pão por Deus" include:
The date: Halloween is celebrated on the night of October 31st, "Pão por Deus" is on the morning of November 1st.
Costumes: Contrary to Halloween, where children dress up in costumes and carry pumpkin-inspired baskets, children asking for "Pão por Deus" will wear regular clothing and carry more traditional bags. These homemade textile bags will often be decorated with autumn themes or made from fabric scraps.
As a way of keeping this tradition alive, most primary schools in Portugal help children make these bags as a crafts project the week before All Saints' Day!
Although Halloween is not a traditional festivity in Portugal, recently more and more people are becoming interested in celebrating it, especially younger generations who love wearing scary costumes and receiving candy!
Celebrating All Saints' Day in Portugal
The Portuguese are known for their hospitality, welcoming foreigners around local spots and introducing them to amazing cuisine and traditions. If you’re in Portugal during this time, especially in more rural areas, you will surely find people celebrating this festivity. Don't be surprised if you're invited to join them!
The food is simple but delicious, and the Portuguese people are very kind and love to share. They won’t expect you to bring anything, but a simple ‘obrigado’ and perhaps a small gift — like a bottle of Portuguese wine — will always be appreciated.
