The annual celebration of São João returned after two long, depressing years of endless cancelations due to Covid. The sheer joy was palpable. Everyone was ready to party. We always enjoy the amazing and wholesome street atmosphere. This year, together with friends, we shared apartments on the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the river with a great view of the Porto skyline. After wandering the streets for awhile with our rubber hammers, we were able to enjoy the evening from our balcony. The weather was ideal. The magic of the night sky filled with thousands of floating paper lanterns is something everyone should get to see and something we will never grow tired of. We even successfully launched our own lantern this year. We could see neighborhood fireworks in all directions. The main midnight fireworks, set-off from several river barges, were better than ever and are always the highlight for us. This is a tradition to be repeated.