If planning to visit the island of Madeira in Portugal, one need not to time it for the island is always lively and celebrating a festival almost every month. Best to contact local travel agencies who could arrange for special tour packages from Land and Sea activities, Family Program, Between Crests and Cliffs to Levada Walks to fully enjoy this paradise.
January
Similar to any city in the world, Funchal, Madeira’s largest city welcome the New Year with a pyrotechnic show. A festival of lights and sounds, people gather at Funchal bay to watch the glowing sky lighted by spectacular fireworks. Food and beverage stands are conveniently situated on the street to serve locals and visitors waiting for the show. While waiting for midnight, concerts and exhibitions entertain the guests.
February
Perhaps one of the most anticipated events, Carnival, is a week-long festival in Madeira that is in the league of that of Rio in Brazil. Participants in outlandish costumes get together and dance to the catchy sounds of samba while parading the streets of Funchal. Colourfully decorated floats also roam the city. The carnival’s theme is changing every year, with “Zodiac signs” as 2018’s theme. Visitors could also participate during the “Trapalhão” (Fool’s Parade), a parade that displays the participants’ creativity in sending satirical messages about social and political issues without failing to elicit a laughter or two from spectators.
April
Flower Festival in Madeira is an event the whole family will enjoy. Similar to Carnival, the streets are filled with floats decorated with exotic flowers with the dancers’ costumes also embroidered with fragrant blossoms. On the eve of the festival, children gather at the City Hall Square to build the “Muro da Esperanca” (wall of hope). An initiative that started in 1979, the flowers brought by each child is an appeal to the world for peace. Camellias, orchids, roses, birds of paradise are some of the flowers that the children decorated the wall with yearly.
Another festival celebrated during April is the Sugar Cane Festival. Happening in the Farmers Market in Ponta do Sol, the festival is an exhibition of the sugar cane industry with visitors learning how sugar canes are processed into honey and rum.
May
During May 13, a procession to honour the Our Lady of Fatima is held yearly.
June
Starting late May until early June, the Sé Festival is a Madeiran Arraial (street party) in honour of the Sé. Restaurants feature local delicacies with street entertainment of bands, music and comedy.
Since Madeirenses are fond of music, its no wonder jazz is celebrated in all the Saturdays of June. Various concerts are held in several venues dedicated to the Atlantic Festival and Jazz Festival. Jazz lovers congregate in Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias and the Casa das Mudas Cultural Centre to listen to renowned jazz artists.
August
If the Our Lady of Fatima is honoured in May, the Our Lady of Mount Virgin is honoured during August 14 – 15 during the Monte Festival. One of the most religious local festivals, a small statue of the Virgin Mary is paraded through the streets.
September
Of course, with a long history of winemaking, September is dedicated to the festivity of the grape harvest. Wine Festival in the streets of Funchal is commemorated with lots of ethnic foods, traditional music and as expected, lots of wine.
December
Preparation for Christmas in Madeira starts as early as November. That’s how excited the Madeirenses are for the most important event of the year! Twinkling lights decorated the streets and nativity scenes are displayed in almost every corner. December 23 is the day of “Mercado dos Lavradores” and everyone gather on the street for a party.