Traditional Festival Costumes Must Avoid ‘Excessive Feathers’ in Lisbon Parks

According to local lore in Lisbon, some of the city’s public parks have long-standing customs—or possibly old regulations—that discourage festival participants from wearing costumes excessively decorated with feathers. While this rule is not officially codified in modern statutes, it is said to have originated decades ago out of concern for the native bird populations, which might be disturbed or confused by large feathered costumes during springtime festivals. During popular celebrations like Santo António in Lisbon, some costume designers allegedly limit the number of feathers used, especially when events take place in city parks. Historians suggest the custom may have stemmed from a 20th-century initiative aimed at balancing festivity with environmental respect, though hard evidence of a formal law is sparse. Whether fully enforced or mostly anecdotal, the feather restriction offers a unique glimpse into how tradition, environmental awareness, and public space use intersect in Portugal’s vibrant festival culture.