A weekend of LEGO in Portugal – Parades de Coura LEGO Fan Weekend 2026
Brick Alley members headed to northern Portugal one weekend in June for the Parades de Coura LEGO Fan weekend, with builders from around the world joining together to share their love of LEGO bricks.
Our trip to PdC LEGO Fan Weekend 2026
“Nestled in the hills of northern Portugal, the small town of Paredes de Coura might seem like the last place you’d expect to find LEGO, yet this is the charming location for the Paredes de Coura LEGO Fan Weekend.
An official LEGO networking event since 2016 and organised by Comunidade 0937, PdC attracts AFOLs from all over the world who gather every year to display their latest builds and meet with each other.
This is very much an event aimed at people – the AFOLs. The show is open to the public as a free event but the majority of the activities are provided exclusively for the AFOLs to enjoy. From mosaic building, to outdoor games, a bus tour (it was to a wind farm this year), talks and presentations plus a (quite challenging) quiz.
Every year tends to be slightly different but it’s all so relaxed. You can take part in everything or nothing. You can spend all day inside or go sit outside a local café and sample a delicious pastel de nata.
We are accommodated in local guest houses which are all organised for us and our meals are provided at the local school. All we have to do as attendees is get there!
This year, I had the pleasure of representing Brick Alley along with fellow veteran, Richard Carter-Ulusoy, previous attendee Shane S, plus first-timers Victoria W, Steve Goldy and Cameron T (Ron!).
We all humped various amounts of LEGO with us to add to the other MOCs and, I think I speak for all of us, when I say a fabulous time was had by all!
My personal highlight was the tour of the LUG’s “vault” and, more specifically, the look on the faces of those who had never seen it before! An epic underground storage, display and build space which has to be seen to be believed!
But, as with every edition of this wonderful event, time flies by far too quickly and we have to pack up and say goodbye. We depart with great memories, renewed inspiration and, most importantly, new friendships.
Paredes de Coura may be the smallest of all the international LEGO events but, what it lacks in scale, it more than makes up for in warmth, friendliness and community. It’s this that has me returning year after year. Portugal stole my heart a long time ago. See you there in 2027.”
Words by Matt Bailey.
Our models at PdC Fan Weekend
Attendees are asked to bring a LEGO model to help fill the exhibition, which is a challenge with airline baggage restrictions, but Brick Alley members rose to the challenge. Here’s what they took to Portugal this year.
Little Shop Of Horrors by Victoria W
Victoria’s lovely vignette of the Little Shop of Horrors made it in one piece to
Queen Elizabeth II by Steve Goldy
Steve packed his contribution to our Famous Brits collaborative project a few years ago, bringing Queen Elizabeth II to Portugal.
LEGO Mosaic by Matt Bailey
Matt contributed a LEGO mosaic of Diogo Jota, a Portuguese football player, in a satisfying array of colours.
Spaceship by Cameron Thompson
Cameron’s huge LEGO spaceship made it to Portugal in more pieces than it was packed in, but he managed to rebuild it for display.
LEGO art gallery and Constable’s Hay Wain by Richard C
Richard packed a section of his LEGO art gallery for the trip, with a 3D-built version of Constable’s famous The Hay Wain painting.
LEGO trains by Shane
Shane packed lots of his British LEGO train models to run around a few loops of track at the event – a popular spectacle for the visitors to watch running at speed.
A big thanks to Miguel and the 0937 Comunidade community for organising!