Madeira Attractions and Festivities

Madeira attractions and festivities has resulted in Madeira being called "Island of the Festas". As on the continental Portugal, Madeira has a strong culture of festivities. Especially during the summer, many festivities are dedicated to saints, but you can find the weirdest things people are celebrating on the island. They are so often, that when you least expect it you will find yourself in the middle of the celebration. From the Chestnut Festivity to the Festivity of the Scabbard Fish, these people take all the chances to have another day of dancing, drinking, eating and decorating their towns and villages with lights and colorful garlands. Although the big celebrations are also reasons to meet the Madeirian traditions, try to mingle with the locals when you run into a small festa.

List of Madeira Attractions and Celebrations

Christmas and New Year's Eve

Madeira Attractions and Events

This is the Madeira attraction where all the streets of Funchal are decorated with multicoloured flowers and all the lights are turned on. The festivities include a rich program of cultural, religious and artistic events that take place during December and end on 6th of January. You can find concerts and folklore groups on almost every street and market. If you plan to spend Christmas in Madeira, don't miss the Market Night Party on the 23rd of December. It is an old event related with the last minute shopping the locals used to make in the market. Now, the festivity means all the streets around the market crowded with joyful people, singing, dancing, drinking and having fun.

If you get there during December, make everything possible to spend the New Year's Eve on the island. During that night, there are huge fireworks displays and Guinness World Records recognized them in 2006 as the greatest fireworks display in the world.

Carnival

The Carnival, or Mardi Gras, is a traditional parade when groups with people flooding the streets of Funchal with music and dance. There are parties practically anywhere during the Carnival, from hotels to bars and clubs. Two carnival parades form part of Madeira attractions, the biggest one taking place on the Saturday evening called "Cortejo Alegorico". The final parade takes place the following Tuesday and it's called "o Trapalhao".

Flower Festival

The festival takes place every spring and Funchal becomes the stage of concerts, dancing and, of course, many flower displays. It's a good opportunity to get in touch with the locals and to see their embroidery costumes. One traditional act is the Children's Parade, when all of them carry a flower to put in the "Wall of Hope".

Atlantic Festival

This Madeira attraction comprises three major events in the beginning of June: Madeira Music Festival, Classic Motor Show, Start of Summer Shows and the most expected, the International Fireworks Competition, where four companies from Portugal battle for the trophy. The public decides the winner.

The Madeira Classic Rally Tour

Four days with vintage cars being driven on 400 km Madeiran roads this Madeira attraction is truly an international event. It has more than 20 editions and it's one of the most interesting historical rallies of antique and classic cars, known worldwide. The Classic Rally - Volta a Madeira is part of the FIA and the international FIVA calendar.

Madeira Wine Rally

If you want more speed and new cars, than forget about The Madeira Classic Rally Tour and choose this one. It's one of the most important competitions of the European Rally Championship and it takes place in the beginning of August on the narrow and winding roads of Madeira.

Madeira Wine Festival

September starts by celebrating one of Madeira's most known products - wine. The Madeira festival takes place in Funchal, where the shows take place, but you need to go to Camara de Lobos to enjoy the live harvest.

Columbus Festival

In September, the neighboring island Porto Santo, part of the same archipelago, also celebrates one of the most important figures relating to Madeira. Christopher Columbus lived in Porto Santo (and his house can be visited) and his strong links with the island came as a result of his marriage to Filipa de Moniz, daughter of Bartolomeu Perestrelo, the first commander of the province of Porto Santo, but also as a sugar trader during the island's sugar booming years.