The tourist poster of the region.
Madeira’s Carnaval
Carnaval (Carnival for the English speakers) is one of Madeira’s oldest festivities. Inspired by the European burlesque tradition, it was brought by the first settlers during the 15th Century. At the time the party consisted in 3 days of pure excess, right before Lent (Catholic’s pre-Easter preparation). From the 17th Century onwards, street parties and Balls came into the festivities. Madeira’s Carnaval has included the Brazilian Samba and Carnival Parade since 1979. The troupes and samba schools come out to play on Saturday and on Tuesday, a more satirical, popular parade takes place, Cortejo Trapalhão.
Festa da Flor (Madeira Flower Festival)
The beauty of the flowers, along with the mild climate have always helped spreading out Madeira’s name to the world, but the idea of a flower-tribute party is a recent activity, with its origins in 1954, year when Funchal’s commercial athenaeum hosted the Rose Party. This flower showing became a yearly event and from then on was named Festa da Flor. Nowadays, aside from a floral wall where children from all over the island place flowers in the name of peace and hope, and an exquisite floral tapestry exhibited throughout Arriaga Avenue, the event’s highlight goes to its parade, when hundreds of participants cover the main streets of the Region’s capital.
Festival do Atlântico (Atlantic Festival)
Throughout the month of June, Madeira hosts the traditional Atlantic Festival: a number of shows that combine fireworks with music. The shows happen every Saturday, all June. The shows follow a theme and have the approximate duration of 15 minutes. One can see the fireworks from any point of Funchal’s bay, but in order to get the full experience, getting a place at the Peer Area, by the sea, is advised.
Funchal Jazz
Funchal Jazz has been bringing internationally renowned artists to brighten up Funchal’s downtown for the first week of July since 2000. Santa Catarina’s Park is the stage chosen to bring glamour and good music to Funchal for three days. The festival expands itself into other points of the city with jam sessions and activities.
Festival do Vinho (Wine Festival)
Wine has been a part of Madeira’s tradition for almost as long as the island’s discovery back in the 15th Century. The wine festival normally takes place between the last week of August and the first week of September and the festivities brighten up Funchal’s downtown. Wine tastings, large decorations and a representation of Madeira’s old wine production habits are included. Quinta da Pinheira, located in Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, is the place to go to if one wishes to see the harvest and wine production demonstrations.
Columbus Festival
During September, Porto Santo celebrates the presence of Cristopher Columbus in the Island. Some sources claim that the man who discovered America actually lived in the ‘’Golden Island’’ for a few years. The arrival of Nau Santa Maria (Santa Maria carrack) and the Captain’s landing are the starting point for the three-day-festival that include theatre, a fifteenth century market , circus arts, european and oriental dances, varied music and many gastronomical options. Columbus Festival is one of the Island’s biggest touristic events and is responsible for a susbstancial increase in visitors’ numbers.
Christmas Lights
Funchal’s Christmas lights have become part of the island’s touristic offer. Not only a symbol of Christmas but of the Region itself, the Christmas lights tradition has been around for many decades now. This is a tradition that has started with the shop owners that would put up lights on their shops to enhance Christmas sales. Nowadays, the city fills itself with light and colour all over, appealing not only for the the traditional Christmas shoppers but also for passers-by, inviting everyone along for long walks through the city’s main streets. The city will begin to be lit from December 1st.
New Year's Eve
Madeira’s New Year’s Eve fireworks is considered to be one of the most exquisite worldwide. Cruise ships from everywhere fill up Funchal’s bay to enjoy the beautiful show, and once the New Year arrives, the fireworks spread throughout the city and illuminate its every corner. Madeira’s fireworks have conquered a place in the Guinness Book of Records as one of the best in the world, for its greatness and beauty.
