Running since 2007 on the riverfront at Passeio Marítimo de Algés, NOS Alive is one of Portugal's flagship indie, rock, and alternative festivals. The venue sits on the Tagus estuary just outside central Lisbon, which shapes the festival's "Beach by day, music by night" identity. Programming spans headline touring acts, alternative mainstays, and emerging artists across multiple stages.
Where the beach meets the city. A mainstream, high-energy lineup of global touring acts draws a diverse international crowd across three days. Proximity to central Lisbon keeps the pace fast and the nights long, with fashion-conscious, mixed-age audiences. Expect dense crowds around headliner slots and a programme that rarely lets up.
What sets NOS Alive apart from most European summer festivals is how the Portuguese programming sits alongside the international headliners. The Galp Fado Café has hosted traditional and contemporary fado since 2016, the Comedy Stage has spotlighted Portuguese stand-up since 2014, and smaller stages like Coreto and Pórtico give emerging Portuguese artists a platform. The festival's name is itself a nod to Pearl Jam's "Alive" - the band headlined the first edition in 2007.
Quick facts
- Vibe
- Urban, High-energy, Crowded
- Venue type
- Riverside Waterfront
- Size (attendance)
- Massive (165,000)
- Minimum age
- 6+ years
- Family friendly
- Yes
- Camping on-site
- No
Top music genres
Daily Pass 9 July
Daily Pass 10 July
Sold out
Daily Pass 11 July
Sold out
2-Day Pass 9, 11 July
Sold out
2-Day Pass 9, 10 July
Sold out
2-Day Pass 10, 11 July
Sold out
3-Day Pass 9, 10, 11 July
Sold out
Twenty One Pilots • Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
A Perfect Circle • Alabama Shakes • Dogstar • Matt Berninger • The Royston Club • Tomora
Foo Fighters • Skunk Anansie
Zara Larsson • Wolf Alice • The War On Drugs • Palaye Royale • The Warning • Jehnny Beth • SBTRKT DJ set • Digitalism Hybrid Live set • Fiona Kraft • Chris Luno • La Fleur • Stresshead
Florence + The Machine • Lorde • Buraka Som Sistema
Teddy Swims • Pixies • Alessi Rose • Florence Road • Noiserv
Metro
Metro Green Line Connection
If using the metro, go to Cais do Sodré station and from there take the Cascais train or tram 15E. Exit at the Algés station which is a 10min walk to NOS Alive.
Train
Cascais Train Line
You can reach NOS Alive with Cascais train line from Cascais every 20-30 min and from Cais do Sodré. Exit at Algés station which is a 10 min walk from NOS Alive. This line has extended services running until 4:30 AM to take you home.
Late-Night Trains until 4:30 AM to take you home
There are special departures from Algés at 2:15, 2:30, 2:45, 3:00, 3:30, 4:00, and 4:30 AM to Cascais and Cais do Sodré, to take you back home.
Bus
Airport Bus Connections
Use line Carris 783 and 705 from Lisbon airport to connect to line 750 that takes you to Algés.
CARRIS Regular Lines
Carris lines 723, 729, 750, 751, 776, and tram 15E all stop at Algés. Both stops are a 10/15 min walk to NOS Alive.
Lisboa Camping Shuttle
There's a free shuttle included with the camping ticket, running between the campsite and the festival. It's required to have your ticket to take the ride.
Car
Car advice
Traffic restrictions are common near the venue and parking is also limited, therefore it's recommended to take public transports.
Telpark Parking Partnership
Reserved parking at the following Telpark park locations: Largo da Estação, Infante Santo, Campolide, Marques de Pombal, Oceanário, Sete Rios, Alvalade XXI and Docas Alcântara Rocha.
Camping
Lisboa Camping & Bungalows
Free shuttle to the venue included. Festival ticket required.
Hotels & apartments
Cais do Sodré
Nightlife access. Stay where the night trains end and the Pink Street after-parties begin.
Belém
Safe and quiet. Historic district with upscale hotels. 25-min walk to the venue if you're up for it.
Algés
Zero commute. 10–15 min walk to the gates - skip the 4 AM train queues.
Which neighbourhood fits your trip: prices, distance to the venue, and the late-night commute trade-offs.
Beer
€1 reusable cup deposit and return the cup to get your €1 back. Skip the main bar queues by heading to the smaller stalls near Stage 3.
Bifana · Pork Sandwich
A Portuguese classic and the best-value meal on-site. Nothing beats a beer-soaked bifana from the Portuguese food stalls. Eat early, they sell out fast.
Full Meal
Restaurant-style stalls serve full plates at a premium. Best selection is in the NOS Village area. Arrive before 7 PM to beat the pre-headliner rush, since queues double after 8 PM.
Water / Soft Drinks
Free refill points are available across the site. Bring a reusable bottle to avoid paying €2-€3.50 per bottle at stalls. Look for the blue "Água Grátis" signs.
Opening hours
The gates open at 15:00 and close at 4:00.
Cashless Payments
NOS Alive is 100% cashless and requires you to top-up your wristband at the venue's charging points or through the official app.
Drinking Water
Free water points are available throughout the venue to refill your 50 cl bottle.
Medical Services
An on-site field hospital handles medical emergencies.
See MapCloakroom (Welcome Center)
Store prohibited items and bags larger than A4 in the locker area outside the main entrance.
€1.00
Charging Points
Mobile charging stations at the NOS stand and EDP area.
See MapFood Court
Four food areas spanning chains (Burger King) to vegan and gluten-free options.
Doors open at 3:00 PM. Arrive 1-2 hours before the first artist to clear security comfortably.
Everyone is subject to search and removal of the following forbidden items: Alcoholic drinks, Firearms/bladed weapons, Dangerous objects (pocket knives, metal chains, pointed belts and/or bracelets, etc.), Explosive substances or devices, pyrotechnic articles and fireworks, Any glass or metal bottles, regardless of capacity, Glass objects, cans (drink, perfumes and spray), Toxic substances, drugs, syringes, Selfie sticks and rigid rods, Large posters or posters containing offensive, discriminatory or extremist phrases, Unauthorized communication material (leaflets, flyers and stickers), Lunchboxes, boxes, tupperware and containers, Tents, benches, chairs, chains, ropes and lanterns, Laser pointers, light sticks and flashlights, Helmets, Megaphones, loudspeakers, musical instruments, sound recorders, Laptops, tablets, power banks larger than a regular cell phone, Professional photographic equipment, including large equipment, lenses and tripods, Skateboards, rollerblades, bicycles or similar, Paints, dyes and other related products, Large bags/backpacks (with or without handles) or suitcases, Umbrellas, Animals, with the exception of guide dogs, in compliance with current legislation, Any object that does not fall into these categories and could be thrown or considered dangerous.
You can pick it at the venue's ticket office, between 10:00 and 23:00 of the day for which you bought the ticket.
Exchange happens inside the venue at the dedicated exchange point, on your first day of attendance. The festival also runs early exchange at C.C. Alegro Alfragide for 3-day pass holders in the days before the festival.
Power banks no larger than a regular mobile phone are allowed. Professional-grade batteries and large power stations are prohibited.
Medical tents are available across the venue. Check the venue map beforehand to locate quieter areas.
Daily ticket holders cannot re-enter. Multi-day pass holders exchange their ticket for a wristband inside the venue, which enables re-entry.
You can expect temperatures during the day between 24º and 28º C and at night between 14º and 18º C. Bring sunscreen for the day and a jacket for the evening.
A main food court and several beverage stands sit between the main stages and the Heineken tent.
One plastic or reusable plastic bottle up to 50 cl is allowed. The cap must stay on.
Rigid containers and lunchboxes are not allowed. Small snacks in soft packaging are generally permitted.
Yes. A Special Access platform is available. Register in advance on the official website and provide a medical certificate.
Accessibility
Mobility Platforms
Disabled mobility platforms at the NOS, Heineken, and WTF stages.
See MapPregnancy Area
Dedicated area at Joaquim Chaves Saúde for expecting mothers.
See MapCompanion Allowed
One companion per registration, with a valid festival ticket.
See MapPriority Entrance
Dedicated FNAC entrance for registered attendees with disabilities and pregnant mothers.
See MapInclusivity
LGBTQ inclusive
While it doesn't actively promote queer initiatives as other festival, NOS Alive is a welcoming festival to queer crowd, and is also regarded as a safe, popular and diverse environment for the queer community.