The first weekend of July brought the lively Imperio de Santo Antonio festival right to our doorstep at the Golden Mermaid Villa! Located just one block away, this traditional celebration offers a true taste of local culture.

The festival honors St. Anthony, or Santo Antonio, a revered saint with a fascinating history. While often associated with finding lost things and love, his story is rooted in his compassion and charity. In many parts of Spain and Portugal, this festival is a major event, celebrating community, faith, and tradition.

We were lucky enough to catch the incredible drumming band, Associacao Ritmos of Santa Barbara, who filled the air with their fantastic rhythms. Take a look at this short video of their performance—their energy was absolutely amazing!

One of the festival’s highlights is the communal feast on the first night, where everyone is welcomed with warm soup, fresh bread, and delicious rice pudding. These feasts are a longstanding tradition, reflecting the saint’s legacy of providing for the poor. It’s a wonderful tradition that brings the community together and provides an authentic, heartwarming experience you won’t soon forget.

Staying at the Golden Mermaid Villa puts you in the perfect spot to enjoy events like this and immerse yourself in the vibrant local life.

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Anthony “Tiger” Liu is an American expat and the operator of Golden Mermaid Villa and Longevity Habit retreat, where he shares a passion for the vibrant culture and nourishing lifestyle of São Miguel.https://goldenmermaidvilla.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IMG_3956.mov