It was started in 1976 by the Portuguese Communist Party and is named after the party's official newspaper, Avante!.Portuguese Communist Party Official Site The festival began in 1976 and initially took place at various locations in Lisbon, including the Feira Internacional de Lisboa, Ajuda, and Loures.

Since the early 1990s, it has been held in Amora, near Seixal, after the party purchased grounds through a fundraising campaign.Official Festa do Avante!

The three-day festival features: Music performances - Hundreds of Portuguese and international artists perform across five stages.Timeout Lisbon - Festival Highlights Ethnography and gastronomy - Showcases of regional culture and traditional Portuguese food.

In its 28 editions, the festival has hosted renowned artists, including: Chico Buarque Baden Powell Ivan Lins Buffy Sainte-Marie Johnny Clegg Charlie Haden Judy Collins Richie Havens Adriano Correia de Oliveira Carlos Paredes Jorge Palma Preparation for the festival begins immediately after the previous edition, with hundreds of party members and volunteers assisting in building the festival grounds.Observador - Festival Preparations The festival grounds have a capacity for over 100,000 attendees and often reach full capacity during the event.Visit Portugal - Event Overview File:Avante1986Poster.jpg|1986 promotional poster File:Avante2009Festival.jpg|2009 festival File:Avante2009Stage.jpg|2009 stage File:AvanteBanner.jpg|Festival banner

Pinheiro, Marta Sofia Ferreira Nunes Leitão (April 2014).