Festival Ludovina 2026 in Castelo de Vide: programme and guide
Festival Ludovina – Arts and Later Life returns to Castelo de Vide from 6 to 11 October 2026 with an intergenerational programme about art, memory, longevity and community participation.
The essentials
The second edition runs from 6 to 11 October at several venues in Castelo de Vide, with advance activities on 30 September in Póvoa e Meadas and from 1 to 4 October at São Francisco Church. The programme includes outdoor exhibitions, workshops, walks, theatre, cinema, dances and conversations. Most activities are free; others cost €5, and the organiser recommends advance booking for every event. Which activities require a ticket and how to book are being updated.
Activities before the official opening
The Lisbon project “A Avó Veio Trabalhar” leads embroidery-on-fabric-photography workshops on 30 September in Póvoa e Meadas and from 1 to 4 October at São Francisco Church in Castelo de Vide.
The resulting work becomes “Casas com Rosto”, a collective outdoor exhibition across both places. It officially opens on 6 October with an inaugural walk and the presentation of a map locating the works.
Confirmed highlights from 6 to 11 October
The 6 October opening includes the “Casas com Rosto” exhibition walk and the opening of “A Beleza da Ruga”, featuring work selected through an open call. Later days also include chair yoga, ballroom dance, “Conversas de Roda”, walks led by grandparents, traditional dances, workshops and cinema.
On Friday, 9 October, Projeto Avós – Histórias Germinadas no Quintal presents two works by Graça Ochoa and Catarina Mota together at 21:00 in Cine-Teatro Mouzinho da Silveira.
- 6 October: inaugural “Casas com Rosto” walk and opening of “A Beleza da Ruga”.
- 9 October, 21:00: two Projeto Avós performances at Cine-Teatro Mouzinho da Silveira.
- 10 October: a special World Mental Health Day programme.
- 11 October: “A Nossa Forma de Vida” documentary and closing at 19:30.
10 October: mental health and ageing programme
The morning begins in Parque João José da Luz with a ceramics workshop led by Amber Denman and a wool workshop with Marisa Arosa. In the afternoon, Cine-Teatro Mouzinho da Silveira screens Walter Aigner's “Lã, Homem, Ovelhas”, followed by the Wool4Health Awards.
The day ends at the INATEL bandstand with a talk by Filipa Dias about ageing and dementia and the presentation of the book “Os Meus Pais Envelheceram. E Agora?”. Exact times for these activities, beyond the afternoon session, are being updated.
Tickets, reservations and staying centrally
The organiser says most activities are free, while others cost €5, and recommends advance booking for every event. The activity-to-ticket list, capacity and booking method are being updated; check the official programme before setting out.
Venues are spread across central Castelo de Vide and Póvoa e Meadas. Casa da Rua Nova is in the Jewish Quarter beside Fonte da Vila, within walking distance of the Cine-Teatro, Parque João José da Luz and other central venues; plan transport for Póvoa e Meadas.
Frequently asked questions
When is Festival Ludovina 2026?
The main programme runs from 6 to 11 October 2026. Advance workshops take place on 30 September in Póvoa e Meadas and from 1 to 4 October at São Francisco Church.
Is the festival only for older people?
No. The festival centres the experience and creativity of people in later life, but its programme is open to the community and aims to bring generations together.
Is admission free?
Most activities are free and others cost €5. The exact list of ticketed activities is being updated; the organiser recommends advance booking for every event.
What are the programme highlights?
Highlights include the “Casas com Rosto” and “A Beleza da Ruga” exhibitions, Projeto Avós at 21:00 on 9 October, the mental-health programme on the 10th and the closing documentary on the 11th.
Where do activities take place?
The programme uses several Castelo de Vide venues, including São Francisco Church, Parque João José da Luz, Cine-Teatro Mouzinho da Silveira and the INATEL bandstand, plus activities in Póvoa e Meadas.
Stay centrally during Festival Ludovina
Casa da Rua Nova is in Castelo de Vide's Jewish Quarter, a walkable base for several festival venues and for exploring the historic centre between activities.
Apartments for your stay
