São João, celebrated on June 24th, is a vibrant and lively festivity that kicks off on the evening of the 23rd and continues until sunrise. The streets of Porto come alive with people dancing, feasting, and reveling together in a true community celebration. Families, friends, couples, and tourists all come together in a joyous frenzy of festivities.
This year, at Wild Douro, São João took on a unique flavor. We had a group of Americans, Canadians, and Australians guests with us and we were lucky to be able to celebrate this evening in one of the hearts of the party, the privileged and historic location of Miragaia.
The night was exceptionally warm, defying São João’s usual rainy weather. We were treated to a delightful outdoor dinner under the charming stone arches of Miragaia. Traditional grilled sardines, meat, and peppers were served, accompanied by an abundance of cold beer, sangria, and wine to keep us refreshed throughout the long night.
Throughout the week, we had done our best to explain the significance of this celebration to our guests. However, one can only truly grasp its magnitude and importance by experiencing it firsthand. So, despite some expectations, our guests were in for a surprise.
São João is a feeling that resonates within our hearts, a sense of unity with all the people who fill the streets alongside us. During this night, everyone becomes a friend and family. We playfully wield plastic hammers, joyfully bopping even strangers on the head. We release small hot air paper balloons, filling the sky with a magical display of shimmering lights. And at midnight, the breathtaking firework show takes center stage, captivating us all. Regardless of age, fireworks never fail to inspire awe. We dance throughout the night with old and new friends until our feet can no longer keep up.
The dinner began with nostalgic conversations about the wonderful experiences we had shared during the past week in Portugal. As drinks flowed and energy built up, the atmosphere transformed. By dessert, no one remained seated; we were all dancing and laughing with sheer delight! It was then that everyone truly grasped the essence of this party and why we were so thrilled to share it with our guests.
Everyone danced, ate, drank, and created lasting memories through photographs and videos. We connected with strangers who quickly became friends and had the time of our lives. One person approached us, their eyes gleaming with joy, and exclaimed, “Oh my God, this is EPIC!”
Indeed, we knew it would be.
As a few guests began to retreat to their accommodations for some well-deserved rest, we gathered the remaining members of the group to witness a breathtaking fireworks display. It served as a magnificent conclusion to an unforgettable week spent with incredible new friends.
The following morning, despite having had only a few hours of rest, everyone was still brimming with energy. There was an overarching sense of happiness from having experienced such a remarkable celebration. We shared our cherished (and perhaps not-so-flattering) photos from the night before and bid each other farewell.
This São João created an unbreakable bond with our guests—a memory we will forever cherish.
