Tavira hosted, between September 3 and 6, the XII Mediterranean Diet Fair, which transformed the historic center of the city into a stage dedicated to Mediterranean culture for four days. The coordination was handled by the Municipality of Tavira, in partnership with an Organizing Committee that brings together public and private entities from the region, aiming to promote the Mediterranean Diet as living cultural heritage and reinforce Tavira's role as a representative community of Portugal in the Network of Landmark Mediterranean Diet Communities, recognized by UNESCO.
The musical program featured concerts at Praça da República, where Os Vizinhos opened the cycle on September 3, Carolina Deslandes took to the stage on September 4 accompanied by young singer Rita Rocha, and Marco Rodrigues presented fado on September 5. Diogo Piçarra closed the musical programming on Sunday, September 6, in a show especially directed at younger generations. Tavira Castle hosted four international concerts with artists from Turkey, Morocco, Italy, and Greece, while the Antiga Lota welcomed Portuguese projects of traditional root music.
Gastronomy also played a central role, with the Conviviality Square at Parque do Palácio da Galeria bringing together four restaurants with Portuguese, Italian, and Moroccan specialties, and 28 establishments from the municipality presenting menus inspired by the principles of the Mediterranean Diet. The event featured approximately 200 exhibitors related to crafts, traditional confectionery, and local products, as well as 40 institutional exhibitors.
The program also included workshops and activities for children, Hélder's Games, dances and traditional dance workshops promoted by Trad Balls, book presentations at the Church of Mercy, and the opening of the Municipal Museum of Tavira with several exhibitions. Physical activity had its own space, including the start of the IPDJ Regional March and Run Calendar, and the Fair also integrated the Innovation Award – Mediterranean Diet, which distinguished Algarve producers and companies with innovative solutions in the agri-food sector.
