Our archipelago is known for its breathtaking landscapes and its absolutely stunning natural heritage, but Madeira also offers an extremely diverse calendar of events throughout the year, which will certainly make your experience even more enriching and authentic, either for its traditions or for its cultural variety.

FLOWER FESTIVAL

The Flower Festival is a cultural event associated the local traditions, whether through the performances of folk groups, or through the construction of the beautiful floral carpets, an event filled with lots of entertainment activities, such as music concerts and variety shows, to be held from October,1st to 24th.

Check here for all the info about this Festival

COLUMBUS FESTIVAL

The Columbus Festival is based on a series of tourist entertainment initiatives that portray the time when this famous merchant resided on the island of Porto Santo, recalling his experiences in the Madeira Archipelago.

It takes place during the month of September, between the 23rd and 26th, in the city of Vila Baleira, and presents a set of initiatives that seek to recall the epic of the Portuguese Discoveries. The event evokes the passage of the Genoese navigator on the golden island and includes, a handicraft market, thematic exhibitions, circus arts, theater, a lot of music and exotic dances, guaranteeing much animation and a constant bustle among the various characteristic figures of the time. 

Every night, at Praça do Barqueiro, the arrival of the Genoese navigator and entourage can be seen on one of his visits to the golden island in an atmosphere of great bustle that includes courtesies and offerings to the captain-donee, music, dances and scenic street animation of the time, as well as, concerts that bring together local and regional artists and which end with fire shows.

NATURE FESTIVAL

The Madeira Nature Festival, event to be held from October 5th to 10th, aims to promote nature tourism, encouraging the practice of activities that allow direct contact with the rich natural heritage of the archipelago of Madeira. Whether in the mountains, in the air or at sea, the choices are more than many, sign up for free!It’s the newest event of the official tourist entertainment calendar, held for the first time in October 2011.

Whether on the land, in the air or in the sea, the choices are multiple and visitors can experience a wide range of different activities suitable for all ages. In addition to these activities there are many more as part of this festival celebrating sport, entertainment, culture and Madeiran traditions.

MADEIRA WINE FESTIVAL

The Madeira Wine Festival is one of the island´s main tourist attractions that pays tribute to this precious nectar and its undeniable socioeconomic significance, an event programmed from October,8th to 24th​.Taking place during the grape harvest in late August, early September, this event aims to recreate the old traditions of Madeira, which were developed over centuries of labour in viticulture.This event has been commemorated since the late seventies of the last century. It begins in Funchal and includes the European Folklore Week, ornamentations, exhibitions and live portraits depicting the wine culture, as well as traditional and light music performances.This Festival culminates in Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, with the Wine Harvest Festival. 

Find out more about what to expect from the Madeira Wine Festival: Other initiatives included in the programme:

Street Entertainment – October,8th to 24th​The city centre of Funchal, especially the central walkway of Avenida Arriaga, in addition to the usual performance of Folklore Groups, there will be a very diversified musical program that includes light music, world music, choral singing, jazz, traditional music and philharmonic music. 

Madeira Wine lounge – Praça do Povo – October,8th to 24th
At Praça do Povo, the Madeira Wine lounge will be set up, recreating a more cosmopolitan and contemporary environment associated with the consumption of wine, through thematic dinners that are inspired by the flavours and wines of each producing municipality. This area will also include an stage with various musical entertainment.

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR´S EVE FESTIVITIES

The arrival of the decorative lights in the streets of the city centre of Funchal, during the month of December, sets the beginning of the Madeira Christmas and End of the Year Festivities programme.These festivities culminate with the famous fireworks show, officially recognised in 2006 by the Guinness Book of Records, as the largest fireworks show in the world.These commemorations consist of a rich and extensive programme of cultural, religious, ethnographic and artistic manifestations that take place throughout the entire month of December, an event that culminates on January 6th.

Find out more about what to expect from Christmas and New Year Festivities in Madeira, taking place between December 1st, 2021 to January 9th, 2022. 

Other initiatives included in the programme:
Childbirth MassesChristmas begins with the “Missas do Parto” (childbirth masses) starting December 16th and ending on Christmas Eve, with the midnight mass. The “Missas do Parto” – the novenas – are nine in total and are celebrate early in the morning. 

December 31st The fireworks show lasts for about eight minutes and is distributed by several fireworks stations in the Funchal amphitheatre, the waterfront, the city centre, the sea and one station on Porto Santo Island. This grand spectacle, that is one of Madeira’s most important tourist events, was internationally recognized in 2006 by the Guinness Book of Records as “The largest fireworks show in the World”.