Porto is a coastal city in northwest Portugal known for its stately bridges, port wine production, and friendly openness. This summer, the city will play host to an array of LGBTQ+ icons and allies as part of the first ever LGBT+ Music Festival, an inclusive celebration taking place from July 1 to 3, 2022. Confirmed entertainment includes Iggy Azalea, Bebe Rexha, Melanie C, Little Boots, Gloria Groove, Bimini Bon Boulash, Todrick Hall and Jodie Harsh, with more acts to be announced in the coming weeks.

Up to 35,000 people are expected to attend the first openly LGBTQ+ inclusive festival across four stages  located throughout the city for 72 hours of non-stop fun and celebration. As well as the main event, the city’s vibrant nightlife will hold a number of themed after-parties with party boats docking right at the festival itself.

The LGBT+ Music Festival will be an inclusive celebration of the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community on the banks of the River Douro in Porto, which has been featured in Unesco’s World Heritage list since 1996, and also named the World’s Leading City Break Destination in 2020. Festival Director, Marco Azevedo says “anyone and everyone” will be welcome at the festival, which he says is representative of Portugal’s diversity. “Our festival’s mission is to make everyone feel seen and heard as we sing, dance and love across this 72-hour celebration!”

Diogo Vieira da Silva, an LGBT+ Musical Festival spokesperson, stated, “This will be a festival that remembers the past, celebrates the present and prepares for the future. Bringing people from all over the world together. It will create a truly safe space for everyone who knows and understands that music is an act of liberation.”

Combining inclusion with fun, the Festival will help the City of Porto and local organizations to increase their support for LGBT+ people and will be the epicentre of the celebration of equality values. It will give a stage to LGBT+ artists and their allies, whilst elevating national artists to new heights.

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About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.