One of the larger cultural events in Cape Verde is the Santa Maria Festival on the island of Sal. This festival will be held on 11 and 12 September 2026. This year the festival’s motto is ‘De Mundo pa Dja d’Sal’ (‘From the world to Sal island’). This has been chosen to reflect the welcoming, multicultural spirit of Sal. The aim is to unite people from differing backgrounds through music, culture and sharing.
The Câmara Municipal do Sal (the Sal council) has announced that the celebrations this year will include a tribute to the ‘Blue Sharks’, the national football team. This, of course, relates specifically to their superb performance in the FIFA World Cup 2026. Their achievements in the World Cup have ignited people’s interest in Cape Verde and is having a positive effect on tourism to the country.
So if you are visiting Sal in September you will be able to enjoy the celebrations in Santa Maria. If you haven’t decided on a holiday yet, then maybe this would be a good time to visit.
[15 July 2026]
