As autumn leaves turn the suburbs golden around Lisbon, comic fans flock to Amadora for a burst of colour and imagination. The Amadora BD – International Comics Festival 2025, running from 16 October to 26 October, celebrates the ninth art with panels full of heroes, villains and epic tales. Held just a short hop from Portugal’s capital, this event draws creators, collectors and kids to dive into comics from near and far. In a town that calls itself the City of Comics, Amadora BD turns streets and parks into a playground of drawings, where stories leap off the page and spark new ones in every visitor’s mind.
A Celebration of Panels and Imagination
Since its start in 1990 as FIBDA, the festival has bloomed into Portugal’s top spot for comics and one of Europe’s finest. Organised by Amadora’s town council, it began as a simple gathering but now pulls in over 15,000 visitors each year. The 2025 edition, the 36th, keeps the magic alive with a mix of old favourites and fresh twists. After a buzzing 2024 run from 17 to 27 October, themed around Humanity and featuring 14 big shows on icons like Wonder Woman, this year promises more wonder in a compact 10 days.
Set across green parks and cosy galleries, the festival space feels like stepping into a graphic novel. No massive crowds or chaos here, just welcoming spots where fans chat with artists over coffee, browse rare finds, or join a quick sketch session. It is all about that spark of discovery, from flipping through a vintage issue to watching a pro ink a hero on the spot.
The Site: Parks, Galleries and Urban Charm
Amadora BD spreads out like a comic strip across the town’s key spots. The heart beats at Parque da Liberdade, a sunny park turned expo wonderland with tents and stands buzzing under open skies. Here, the main exhibitions pop up amid trees and lawns, easy to wander between on foot. Nearby, the Bedeteca da Amadora, a comics library, hosts quiet reading nooks and talks, while Galeria Municipal Artur Bual shines with artful displays in its bright halls.
The layout is simple and fun: stroll from the park’s lively market area to a gallery’s cool rooms, grabbing pastéis de nata from a street vendor along the way. Stages and booths are framed by modern murals and old stone walls, blending Amadora’s suburban vibe with comic flair. It encourages lazy loops, where you might spot a cosplayer posing by a fountain or snag a signed print from a hidden stall. The whole setup feels safe and lively, perfect for families or solo explorers soaking in the area’s easygoing energy.
A Line-up of Creators and Characters
What makes Amadora BD tick is its stellar roll call of talent. In 2025, look for a blend of global stars and homegrown heroes across comics, manga, cartoons and graphic novels. The core shows spotlight careers like Spain’s Paco Roca, known for heartfelt tales like The Snowball Effect, Portugal’s Luis Louro with his sharp humour, and Brazilian twins Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá, masters of moody masterpieces like Daytripper. These retrospectives fill the Parque with original art, sketches and rare books that tell stories of grit and glee.
Past years stole hearts with guests like Chris Ware in 2002, sharing laughs on the century’s best comics, or 2024’s deep dives into human themes with Portuguese DC artists like Miguel Mendonça drawing Wonder Woman. The 2025 lineup keeps that thoughtful pick, mixing big names with up-and-comers. Expect autograph lines for launches, panels on crafting worlds, and kid-friendly spots where young artists enter contests. Plus, the National Comics Awards hand out nods for best works, with a Revelation Prize for fresh voices, keeping the scene buzzing with new blood.
Days and Nights in the Park
Days at Amadora BD unfold like a sunny adventure page. Mornings start gentle with workshops in shaded tents, teaching kids to draw capes or adults to letter dialogue bubbles. By noon, the park hums as families picnic on the grass, flipping zines while munching sardine sandwiches and fresh fruit from local stalls. Talks draw crowds under big tops, where creators spill secrets on turning ideas into ink, all with that Portuguese warmth of shared laughs and easy questions.
As sun dips low, evenings light up with colour. Strings of bulbs glow over booths, casting heroic shadows on the trees, while a big screen rolls animated shorts from around the world. The air fills with chatter from signing sessions, where fans queue for a quick chat and scribble with their idols. Nights wind down with cosplay parades down the paths, capes fluttering in the breeze, or late panels on comics’ wild history. The pace stays chill, no thumping bass or crush, just stories that wrap you like a warm blanket, lingering under the stars.
A Festival Built on Stories and Support
Amadora BD is more than drawings, it builds bridges through ink. Each year ties to a theme, like 2024’s Humanity or 2013’s Scenarios with recycled set designs that wowed with cardboard mazes and slides. Workshops cover everything from manga basics to political cartoons, while school groups get guided tours to spark young minds. The awards celebrate not just pros but kids too, with prizes that cheer new talent and honour legends.
Sustainability is key: booths use reused materials from past years, cutting waste while nodding to comics’ clever reuse of tropes. Local eateries supply eco-friendly bites, and the event boosts Amadora’s economy with pop-up shops and hotel fills. The schedule mixes must-sees with free-flow time, leaving space for chance meets, like bumping into a guest artist at a cafe for an impromptu doodle swap. It is a nod to comics’ roots in community, where every panel shared strengthens the whole page.
Planning Your Visit
Getting in is straightforward and wallet-friendly. Most events are free, with passes for special talks or workshops around €5-10. Tickets for award nights or VIP meets might nudge €15, but families snag group deals. The call for young artists runs till August 2025, open to all with Portuguese-published works.
Amadora sits 20 minutes by train from Lisbon’s airport or centre, making it a breeze for flyers or rail riders. Stay in town at cosy guesthouses like the Hotel Fama in Venteira, or hop to Lisbon for fancier spots with easy metro links. On-site camping is not a thing, but the park has picnic zones and nearby lots for cars. Swing by early on 16 October for the opening bash, and pack comfy shoes for the 10-day hop between sites. Kids under 12 go free, tying into the family fun.
Why Amadora BD Stands Out
In a sea of flashy cons with lines for miles, Amadora BD feels like a friendly comic shop come alive. No VIP walls or sponsor overload, just open parks and galleries where pros mingle like old pals. It spotlights the craft, from raw sketches to polished prints, proving comics are for everyone, not just collectors.
It is the spot to chat plot twists with a manga master, watch a cosplayer nail a villain’s scowl, or find a rare issue that hits home. With its suburban heart and global reach, it shows comics bridge worlds, turning a quiet town into a launchpad for dreams. Attendees leave with bags full of books, heads buzzing with ideas, and bonds that last beyond the last panel.
Explore the Surroundings
When not lost in panels, Amadora and nearby Lisbon offer sweet side quests. Stroll the town’s murals, born from past festivals, or hit the market for comic-themed street art hunts. A quick train ride lands you in Lisbon’s Alfama for tram rides up hilly lanes, or Belém for pastéis and ocean views by the Tower.
Day trips tempt with Sintra’s fairy-tale castles, misty forests whispering like fantasy realms, or Cascais beaches for a salty breather. These jaunts weave into the fest: a morning sketch by the Tagus, or an evening fado show echoing hero tales. They root the glamour in Portugal’s layered charm, making memories as vivid as any splash page.
Amadora BD – International Comics Festival 2025 offers more than exhibits, it ignites the storyteller in us all. With its sunny parks, star-studded stalls, and shared sketches, it beckons you to draw close, laugh loud, connect deep, and tote those heroic vibes home long after the ink dries.
Follow Amadora BD – International Comics Festival online for updates on tickets, guest reveals, workshop spots, and travel hacks: Instagram: @amadorabd