Provincetown welcomes people from around the world to celebrate Portuguese culture and the town’s proud seafaring heritage at the annual Provincetown Portuguese Festival and Blessing of the Fleet. The festival comprises four days of live music, dancing, parades, incredible food, games, and more. With over 30 events and activities (many of them free), there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Festival weekend is capped off with the Blessing of the Fleet: the bishop of Fall River processes from the Church of St. Peter the Apostle (patron saint of fishermen) with the saint’s statue down to the pier; it’s then placed on one of the boats from the Provincetown fishing fleet. Boats decked out in their finest parade past the bishop and receive a blessing for a safe and prosperous year.