The originality of Nazaré’s folklore comes, mainly, from the strong and well-stressed character of the people. They dance the “vira”, an original dance from the north of Portugal that has gained here new and unique rhythmical characteristics and movements; they also dance the “corridinho” (a traditional dance from the Algarve region and transformed by the rhythm of Nazaré), but so energetically that it leaves dancers and audience breathless. 
They sing and dance simultaneously, without a choir or recorded music, with joy and gracefulness. They dance barefooted, as once danced the fishermen and the women on the beach, to the sound of rudimentary instruments used in their celebrations – that having no other instruments, played with two pinecones, a glass bottle with 2 forks inside and a clay jug beaten with a fan. Later on were added the harmonium, the concertina, the accordion and the clarinet that the toccata (music players) uses.
Both words and the music reflect the strong connection between this people and sea life and fishing labour; people who living in the uncertainty of the future have the capacity of living with an open smile on their faces, challenging the difficulties of life.