BAIXA’o’SOM Festival returns to Coimbra in June with three days of street concerts and an international premiere

The BAIXA’o’SOM festival returns to Coimbra’s Baixa district on June 12, 13 and 14, featuring concerts and musical routes in public spaces, and will be preceded, on April 3 and 4, by the initiative “Strike Up the Bands”. This year’s edition is marked by the participation, for the first time, of an international band: the Spanish group Original Dixieland Sedajazz. The event is organized by the Coimbra City Council, with the support of the Baixa Promotion Agency (APBC), the Union of Parishes of Coimbra, Hotel Oslo and Telpark.

The opening of the fourth edition will take place on June 12, at 6:00 p.m., in Praça 8 de Maio, with an inaugural ceremony bringing together the bands Bandustika, Gooze, Folhas de Pêssego and Original Dixieland Sedajazz. At the same location, starting at 9:30 p.m., the first evening concerts will be held, featuring performances by the Baixa’o’Som Kids ensemble, Bandustika and Folhas de Pêssego.

Throughout the three days, the festival invites the public to walk through the Baixa and Alta areas of the city to the sound of street bands, in an experience that blends live music with the appreciation of urban heritage.

On June 13, the highlight will be the itinerant concerts taking place throughout the morning and afternoon, with performances in several points of the city. In the evening, concerts return to Praça 8 de Maio, starting at 9:30 p.m., with performances by Original Dixieland Sedajazz, Coimbrass and Gooze.

The final day, June 14, maintains the format of musical entertainment in public spaces, with the participation of several philharmonic bands from the municipality. The festival concludes with the final parade and closing ceremony, between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., along a route from Portagem to Praça 8 de Maio.

Music, heritage and participation

Over previous editions, BAIXA’o’SOM has established itself as a “musical walk” through the city, celebrating the tradition of street bands and philharmonic groups while promoting new approaches to urban music. The festival also includes an educational component through the Baixa’o’Som Kids project, which involves young musicians and contributes to the continuity of these practices.

The 2026 edition reinforces this identity, promoting encounters between different musical languages, generations and geographies, in an environment that connects music with architecture, commerce and the experience of public space.

“Strike Up the Bands” anticipates the festival in April

Before the festival, the “Strike Up the Bands” initiative returns on April 3 and 4, with itinerant performances in Coimbra’s Baixa district, setting the festive atmosphere and strengthening the connection between the event, the artists and the community.