Golegã National Horse Fair 2026: Dates, Programme and Tips

At 11:30 on 11 November, Saint Martin’s Day, a procession of riders leaves the Porta de Fernão Lourenço in Golegã. Half an hour later they are blessed at the parish church, and by 12:30 they ride into the Arneiro, the arena at the heart of the town. It is one of the set pieces of the Feira Nacional do Cavalo (National Horse Fair), which runs this year from 6 to 15 November 2026.

What the fair is

The fair is two events in one: the Feira Nacional do Cavalo and the Feira Internacional do Cavalo Lusitano, the international fair of the Lusitano horse breed. Its official site describes ten days of breeders, riders and buyers from Portugal and abroad, alongside the much older Feira de São Martinho (Saint Martin’s fair).

That older fair is documented from the 16th century, according to the fair’s heritage page, which also reports that the Golegã fair was entered in Portugal’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage after a decision of 2 October 2026, published in the Diário da República on 12 October. Caixa Geral de Depósitos, the main sponsor, calls this the 50th edition and says the fair draws about a million visitors. That is the sponsor’s figure, but expect crowds, especially at weekends and on 11 November.

Saint Martin’s Day is also the traditional moment for roast chestnuts and the year’s new wine. The fair’s Saint Martin page cites the saying “No dia de São Martinho, castanhas, pão e vinho” (on Saint Martin’s Day, chestnuts, bread and wine).

Highlights of the 2026 programme

Times below come from the published pre-programme. The organisers list it as preliminary, so check again before you travel.

Date	Highlight
Fri 6 Nov	21:30 presentation of the GNR (National Republican Guard) mounted band and display team, main arena
Sat 7 Nov	Endurance rides of 40 to 100 km from 07:00; greyhound racing at 10:30; “6 Bars” show jumping at 21:30
Sun 8 Nov	Dia do Campino: skill and cattle-driving trials for the campinos (Ribatejo herdsmen) from 15:00
Wed 11 Nov	Saint Martin’s Day: pilgrims’ procession (11:30), side-saddle parade (13:00), native breeds of horses and dogs (14:00 and 14:20), period carriage driving (17:00), freestyle dressage (21:00)
Thu 12 Nov	Lusitano breed judging from 09:00; Champion of Champions at 19:00; Equestrian Gala with the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art at 21:30
Sat 14 Nov	Finals of the national working equitation championship, with the speed round at 21:00
Sun 15 Nov	Combined driving final from 14:00 and the tennis finals; the fair closes

One more note for planning: the programme also includes events linked to bullfighting horsemanship, including an arena session on 13 November reserved for cavaleiros tauromáquicos (mounted bullfighters) and an exhibition of bullfighting painting and sculpture at the Museu Manuel dos Santos. Some visitors will want to know in advance.

Know before you go

Details as of October 2026, from the fair’s official pages:

• When: 6–15 November 2026. Events run from early morning (some competitions start at 07:00) to late evening, so check each day’s programme.
• Where: the Arneiro (main arena) in the centre of Golegã, in the Ribatejo, plus the Hippos Golegã equestrian centre for jumping, dressage and driving. GPS: 39.40245, -8.482453.
• Price: the programme does not list admission prices. Check with the organisers before you go if you plan to attend a specific gala or competition.
• By train: the fair’s travel page suggests a Regional train from Lisboa Oriente to Riachos-Torres Novas-Golegã (about 1 h 30) or an Intercidades to Entroncamento (about 1 h), then a short bus or taxi ride (about 4 km and 9 km respectively). Check current times on cp.pt; our guide to CP tickets and discounts explains the fares.
• By car: Golegã is about 130 km from Lisbon and 220 km from Porto. Most of the fair car parks are paid, and some are reserved for residents, breeders, exhibitors and coaches.
• Contacts: fair office [email protected], +351 249 979 122; tourist office [email protected], +351 249 979 002.

For more dated listings, see our Events section, and for the wider region browse Places.

Sources

1. Feira Nacional do Cavalo: FNC 2026 (official site, Município da Golegã contacts), consulted 2026-10-30
2. Feira da Golegã: Program 2026 (pre-programme), consulted 2026-10-30
3. Feira da Golegã: Intangible Cultural Heritage, consulted 2026-10-30
4. Feira da Golegã: Saint Martin’s, consulted 2026-10-30
5. Feira da Golegã: How to Arrive, consulted 2026-10-30
6. Feira da Golegã: Parking, consulted 2026-10-30
7. Caixa Geral de Depósitos: Caixa Golegã – Feira Nacional do Cavalo 2026 (sponsor announcement), consulted 2026-10-30