Christmas and New Year

From the second half of December until Christmas eve, Madeirans get up at the crack of dawn to participate in the masses honoring Our Lady. After mass, in the church square, people share sandwiches of “carne de vinha d’alhos” (pork...

The true Christmas traditions in Madeira are showcased in different locations throughout the island on different dates, between December 9th to 23rd. The most well-known is the market night at the Farmers’ Market in Funchal on the 23rd of December....

The fireworks show for the New Year lasts about eight minutes and is distributed across 59 fireworks stations located across Funchal’s amphitheater (27 stations), Pier 8 and Praia Almirante Reis (25 stations), at sea (5 stations) and Porto Santo Island...

On the 5th of January, at 7 pm, hymns of the Epiphany are sung at Praça do Povo, in a concert open to the public which revives this Madeiran tradition. The Arrival of the Three Kings is celebrated on the...

The official kick off of the Christmas and New Year’s Festivities happens in the 1st of December, and is marked by the moment when the wonderful Christmas lights switch on in Funchal downtown.Madeira is flled with a festive atmosphere; the...