SHOW / EPISODE

Autumn Holidays in Portugal: Halloween, Pão por Deus & São Martinho

25m | Oct 28, 2026

HOLIDAY REPLAY: Discovering Autumn Traditions in Portugal 🍂

What happens when two Halloween-loving Americans move to Portugal and discover that autumn doesn't look quite the way they're used to?

In this holiday replay, we're taking you back to our first autumn in Portugal, when Shelley and Beth were learning how the Portuguese celebrate the season. From missing Halloween decorations and trick-or-treaters to discovering centuries-old traditions, we share the surprises, stories, and funny moments that made our first Portuguese autumn memorable.

We talk about Pão por Deus, the Portuguese tradition observed on November 1, when children go from door to door asking for treats. We also visit the local cemetery to see how families honor loved ones on All Souls' Day, and explore São Martinho, a traditional autumn celebration associated with roasted chestnuts, wine, and a story of generosity.

Along the way, we share what we missed about fall back home, what we were learning about life in Portugal, and why experiencing another country's traditions can be one of the most rewarding parts of living abroad.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • Celebrating Halloween in Portugal as Americans living abroad
  • Pão por Deus and the tradition of children collecting treats
  • All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day in Portugal
  • Portuguese cemetery customs and remembering loved ones
  • São Martinho, roasted chestnuts, wine, and the legend of Saint Martin
  • The surprises and adjustments of experiencing our first autumn in Portugal
  • Getting involved in our local community and discovering Portuguese life

Whether you're planning a trip to Portugal, curious about Portuguese culture, or dreaming of living abroad, we hope this glimpse into our early experiences inspires you to discover local traditions wherever you wander.

Originally published in November 2023. We're bringing this episode back from the archives for the autumn season.

🌍 Keep wandering with us!

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