There are many festivals and celebrations on Madeira Island throughout the year. The most famous of them all is of course the Flower Festival in Funchal, where many tourists flock to participate in this event. But there are many other festivals, some lesser known, that would be a shame to miss if you are on the island at that particular time.
The most beautiful festivals according to the season:
In spring :
In April :
- The famous flower festival in Funchal. (attention moved to October in 2021)
- The Sugar Cane Fair in Ponta do Sol.
- The Lemon Festival in Santana in April.
In summer:
The Festa dos Fachos or torch festival in Machico. A true cultural tradition and a spectacle not to be missed during the last week of August. During the days of piracy, the inhabitants of Machico had an alarm system in place: men were stationed on the Pico do Facho and watched the coast for the arrival of pirate ships. In case of an attack, they lit torches to warn the inhabitants of Machico.
In autumn :
In September: The Wine and Vine Festival in different villages of the island.
In October: Exceptionally, in 2021, the Flower Festival takes place in October in Funchal.
In November: the chestnut festival in the small village Curral das Freiras.
Depending on your location:
On Madeira Island there are festivals all year round. Find all the festivals in the towns and villages of the southwest coast in my article on the town of Calheta.