St Nicholas Festivities (Festas Nicolinas) in Guimarães, are the oldest academic festivities in Portugal. With roots that go back more than three centuries, this festivities are dedicated, each year, by Guimarães’ students to their patron, Saint Nicholas, being their name inspired by him. New and old students, (the New and Old Nicolinos) get together in a tradition that, each year, transforms a week expected to be a cold autumn week, in a hot November time where Life and Join are celebrated and merged.
Nowadays, Saint Nicholas’ Festivities are already part of the city’s intangible heritage and no one is indifferent to them. During a whole week, in sequent stages of reaffirmation of a brotherhood that is also a special city’s special identity, Nicolinos celebrate joy, friendship, reunion, and the continuity of a tradition that has the strength of the precedent generations.
Dates: 29 November to 7 December
Location: Guimarães
Nowadays, Saint Nicholas’ Festivities are already part of the city’s intangible heritage and no one is indifferent to them. During a whole week, in sequent stages of reaffirmation of a brotherhood that is also a special city’s special identity, Nicolinos celebrate joy, friendship, reunion, and the continuity of a tradition that has the strength of the precedent generations.
Dates: 29 November to 7 December
Location: Guimarães
