Feeling Free and Empowered: My Day at the Ecstatic Day Festival Lisbon

We all need a break sometimes. This is especially true for mothers. We spend so much time taking care of others. Sometimes, we forget to take care of ourselves. Last weekend, I decided to change that.

I went to an event called the Ecstatic Day Festival - Summer Edition. It was at a place called Quinta do Amor. I went with a good friend, Raquel. She is a mother too. We wanted to feel like ourselves. We didn’t just want to relax. We wanted to feel alive.

If you are looking for ecstatic dance in Lisbon or nearby, you should read this. It was a special experience. Here is what we found.

A Beautiful Escape

The festival was not in the city. It was at Quinta do Amor. This location is in the Arrábida Natural Park. It is about 50 minutes away from Lisbon. There was a shuttle bus from the city center, so it was easy to get there.

The location is incredible. The name means "Farm of Love," and it fits perfectly. It is a huge space in nature. There are old cork trees and fruit orchards everywhere. The air smelled fresh and like pine trees. It was quiet and peaceful. It was very different from the noise of the city.

Feeling Like Women

My friend and I had a clear goal. We wanted to stop being "mom" for a day. We wanted to be women. We wanted to feel fabulous and free. This event helped us do that.

We felt truly empowered. The atmosphere was safe and welcoming. No one judged us. We could just be ourselves. It is hard to explain, but we felt a shift inside us. We felt strong.

Deep & Grounding Workshops

The event had a great schedule. The organizers, Secret Square Salon and @ecstaticdancelx, did a great job. They invited teachers from all over the world.

We started with a "Heart-Opening Ceremony" with a teacher named Guy Elhadad. It was beautiful. It helped us relax and open up. Later, we did a movement class with Cameron James. He is from MVMT Studio.

We didn't just learn dance steps. We learned how to listen to our bodies. The music was amazing too. There were live musicians. There was a violinist named Shai Peri and a handpan player named Jozias Diaz. When the DJs played, everyone danced. The energy was very high.

Real Connection (No Alcohol Needed)

One thing surprised me. There were no drugs and no alcohol at this festival.

Usually, people drink to have fun or dance. Here, everyone was sober. This was actually a wonderful thing. The connection between people felt very real. Everyone was present. There were no messy behaviors.

People were kind and happy. My friend and I felt very safe. We could dance wildly. We could laugh. We could close our eyes and just move. It was like therapy. It felt good to be around people with such good energy.

The Market and The Pool

There was more than just dancing. There was a beautiful small market. It wasn't like a normal tourist shop. They sold local crafts. There was handmade jewelry and nice clothes. The style was bohemian and cool. We loved looking at the creative items.

The weather was perfect. It was warm and sunny. The venue has a nice pool. They call the pool area the "Oásis." We spent some time there. We sat by the water and relaxed. We listened to the music from far away. It felt like a real vacation. For a moment, we forgot about school runs and grocery lists.

Good Food

I want to be honest with you. I want you to know what to expect. The food was good. It was healthy and fresh. It looked colorful and tasted nice. However, it was a little expensive. The drinks were also a bit pricey. It were not the friendly prices, we had been promised.

If you go, you should plan for this. Maybe bring a little extra money. Or, you can eat a big breakfast before you go. But, the high price is worth it for the experience. The location is exclusive and everything is very convenient.

Why You Should Go

This experience changed us. We drove back to Lisbon feeling lighter. Our skin was glowing from the sun. Our hearts felt open.

If you are curious about ecstatic dance in Lisbon, this is a great place to start. You don’t need to be a dancer. You don’t need to be spiritual. You just need to show up.

Take a friend. Go without expectations. You will find freedom. You will find joy. You will leave feeling like a new person.

Quick summary for your next Ecstatic Dance experience:

• What: Ecstatic Day Festival
• Where: Quinta do Amor (near Lisbon)
• Vibe: Sober, safe, and empowering. Boho Chic.
• Bring: A friend, swimsuits for the pool, and some budget for food.
• Best For: Feeling free and connected.