The year begins with the week-long Madeira Carnival at the end of February. These dramatic recitals are accompanied by chamber groups, classical musicians and solo performers. The Enduro Mountain Bike competitors battle it out over five days, completing a total of twenty-five different stages covering some 200km of Madeiras unique and challenging terrain. Originally used to celebrate religious festivals and feast days, nowadays Madeira enjoys celebrating its cultural heritage alongside its musical and culinary tradition. The month kicks off in a big way with the Compadres Festival, on the 9th, 11th, 12th and 16th. It will cure any hangovers, give you a chance to do something for charity and realise that there are plenty of people as mad as you. This culture has existed in Madeira for centuries and it's the identity of the place. Festa dos Compadres Santana 2-3For about 50 years, Festa dos Compadres has symbolised the start of the Carnival festivities in Madeira, taking place on the weekend before the Carnival. Organised by the Federao de Campismo e Montanhismo de Portugal (FCMP) and the Santana Sports Club the event is divided into four categories 55km Ultra Sky marathon (USM), the 20km Santana Sky Race (SSR), a 13km Mini Sky Race (MSR) and the very challenging and gruelling 4.8km Santana KM Vertical Race SVK). Chestnut Festival (Festa da Castanha) - Curral das Freiras - 1st November December Madeira Christmas Lights - 1st December 2023 - 7th January 2024 Madeira Big Game Fishing 4th JulyMadeiras warm waters are teeming with fish, and this and its steep continental shelf means that the waters attract sport fish such as Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Albacore, Big Eyed Tuna, Wahoo, Dourada and Bonito. Festivities in Santa Cruz include stalls, music and food, as well as a candlelit procession to the Igreja Matriz to honour the patron saint. Other attractions include the canoe regatta and cultural activities including live music from regional and philharmonic bands. Harvey Foster Classic New Road Funchal/Cmara de Lobos 16The "Harvey Foster Classic New Road" race is organised by the Clube de Automveis Clssicos da Madeira as a tribute to Mr. Harvey Foster, who brought the first automobile to Madeira in 1904. Our main events. Christmas delicacies are laid out on every table as families share a final festive meal and take down Christmas decorations, traditional lapinhas and nativity scenes. Madeira wine festival begins in Estreito de Cmara de Lobos in September with a live grape . Organized by IVBAM, IP - RAM, the Madeira Rum Festival is a unique opportunity to. Well, there are plenty of stalls selling a wide selection of food from snacks to sit down meals. Coming hot off the heels of the Flower Festival, June is an action-packed month filled with light, colour and plenty of entertainment. Classical music performances are held in the Palcio de So Loureno, Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias and several churches in Funchal, as well as in Mudas Contemporary Art Museum, in Calheta. It has to be February and its Carnival Season! The Elite Youth Team have their goals set further afield; to be selected to play for Portugal and secondly to be on the Olympic Team. Make a date for the whole family to head South to enjoy the culture and sounds of Madeira Island, Party at the Madeira Fest from 30 September to 2 October 2022. Madeira Island Ultra Trail (MIUT 2024) 25-28, 2024 MIUT (Madeira Island Ultra Trail) is a mountain race across the island, annually promoted by Clube de Montanha do Funchal. The entire world knows Madeira for its wines. So Pedro da Ribeira Brava, considered one of the biggest festivals in Madeira, is back in full force and with a lot of excitement. Held in Vila Baleira on Porto Santo Island, this week-long event features lots of music, exhibitions, parades and street parties. It took about 2 hours and it was a really fun experience. Held in Largo das Palmeiras, visitors enjoy the opportunity to get to know the grape varieties produced on the island. The half marathon not only traverses some 21km, it demands runners to race steadily to the summit of Pico do Aeerio, some 1,821m above sea level. Orientation is a challenge full of adventure that allows you to discover new experiences. Sopas do Campo Fair Boaventura 17-18Generally speaking, soup is the mainstay of Madeiran cuisine, providing quick, easy and cheap sustenance. All over the Island, these events are characterized by being outdoors. The day culminates with cocktails and an awards ceremony for the most original, best restored and best of show vehicles. Hosted at the Mudas Contemporary Art Museum in Calheta and at Estalagem da Ponta do Sol, the aim of the event is not only to bring new musical experiences to audiences but also to promote Madeira as an ideal tourist destination for young people and as such the festival is seen as an avant guarde journey through the world of serious music.Madeira Micro International Film Festival (MMiFF) Ponta do Sol With screenings held in the scenic village of Ponta do Sol, the Madeira Micro International Film Festival combines both nostalgia and modernity with nightly showings taking place in Madieras oldest cinema, the 80-year-old Art Deco Cinema Cine Sol and the very modern, John Dos Passos Cultural Centre. Madeira Round the Island by Bicycle 20-23Organised by the Madeira Cycling Association, the Madeira Round the Island by Bicycle event not only attracts cyclists from all over the world, its routes and conditions are as such that it encourages young, amateur and professional bikers to take part. The apples of this region are even mentioned by renowned writers, who refer to their delicious aroma. Music. Madeira Surfski Lifesaving and National Canoe Championship Seixal and Machico The two-day Madeira Surfski Lifesaving and National Canoe Championship organised by Madeira Regional Canoeing Association, and the Portuguese Canoeing Federation puts its competitors to the test. That means something like local festivals. Porto Santo Nature Trail Ultra Trail of Porto Santo is organised by the Athletics Association of Madeira. In addition to the warm, hearty sustenance of the soups the fair comprises of several stalls as well as entertainment from local musicians, folklore groups and childrens shows. Madeira August Festivities 2022. A variety of stalls offer some of the islands most famous gastronomic specialities, including espetada and bolo do caco. As part of the yearly cycle of events and competitions, Madeira's International Table Tennis Open Competition will be held in the sports pavilion of Bartolomeu Perestrelo School in Funchal.Apple Festival Ponta do Pargo Taking place in the rural village of Ponta do Pargo, in the municipality of Calheta, this event transforms apple production into a very lively and popular feast, bringing together many people from neighbouring regions. Other activities during this time include the making of flower carpets in the streets, folklore performances, flower shows, classical music concerts and variety shows. As such, the Trans Madeira, organised by the FreeRide Madeira and the Canio Riders, is a little bit different as the routes traverse the whole island from north to south and east to west. Madeira February Events February 2022. Historically an important sea port for trade, Funchal was the first European city built in the Atlantic. Madeira Flower Festival. Entries can be made in Madeira Adventure Club. Madeira's Carnival it's one of the highlights of Madeira's festival calendar. Madeira Organ Festival - 1-31. The event attracts amateur film directors from all over the world giving it a truly international feel providing a wealth of film genres to choose from, also with limited screenings per night, the organisers feel that it creates the perfect platform to allow filmmakers and viewers a chance to interact with each other.Avalanche Raposeira Faja da Ovelha, Calheta Avalanche Raposeira is the coolest BTT race event of the year, happening every December at Faja da Ovelha in Calheta, Madeira Island. Madeira Auto Show of vintage motor vehicles, which is also included in the Flower Festival celebration programme, taking place at Avenida do Mar. You cannot help but be swept away on a tide of enthusiasm as jugglers, singers, musicians, knights, farmers and dancing girls perform in front of the crowds. Madeira Carnival means endless parades, dancing, and lots of food and drinks on the streets. However, the drama doesnt end here, at the end of two days of races competitors then move to Funchal to take part in the Funchal Marathon, which has entrants racing furiously along Avenida do Mar, making it not only an exhilarating sport but a fantastic spectator event. Atlantic Festival Fireworks Contest 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2023The Atlantic Festival is an exciting annual event that combines entertainment and culture. Sundays open sea canoeing event in Machico is anything but easy, with competitors of all categories racing a 19.3km course. Of course with any local festival, there is plenty of music and an atmosphere that needs to be savoured and enjoyed. These include the European Swimming League 10km Olympic distance, the popular 1500 metre event, both of which take place at Quinta Calaa Bay. 24 hours Dancing Folklore Festival Santana 1-2Experience a taste of authentic Madeiran culture at 24 Horas a Bailar, in the town of Santana. There is also a historical-ethnographic parade, where you can see how rich the wine culture in Madeira is. These days, the eve of St. Martin is still celebrated as a herald to better weather, while the festivals religious significance is observed at the local church. Visitors can enjoy great entertainment, traditional food and drink specialities. Latest News February Events 2023 February the month of Love and Entertainment It's fun, funky and fantastic! The MOM competition is open to all interested parties, individually or in groups. However, its diversity is sometimes overlooked, and it is through the initiative of the Black Scabbard Festival in the village of Cmara de Lobos that visitors to the island can appreciate what an outstanding and versatile fish this is. The celebrations start at 06:00 on the 16th and end at sunrise on the 24th. Casa de Madeira is situated at 46 Goodwood Road in Newmarket, Alberton. The three-day event comprises of workshops and fashion shows showcasing both national and international talent. The Exhibit will feature a number of local producers and companies from the agricultural sector selling passion fruit derivatives. On the eve of the Sunday street parade, thousands of children gather on Avenida Arriaga (Childrens Parade) and go to Praa do Municpio where they build a Wall of Hope, made of thousands of flowers. 2022 alberton Fest Madeira Festa Roberto Silva Hello There Subscribe to our mailing list to get the new updates! This Festival is one of the main attractions of Madeira. No wonder it attracts competitors from all over the globe.Madeira Dig Festival Created in 2004 the Madeira Dig Festival is dedicated to promoting digital arts in the form of experimental music, interactive performances and digital media. 25/05/2023 - 28/05/2023. Passion Fruit and Derivatives Exhibit Ribeira Brava The Passion Fruit and Derivatives Exhibition will take place in Ribeira Brava, followed by traditional food and drink stalls and live entertainment. In Madeira, you can run above the clouds. Madeira Island International Swim Marathon (MIISM) Organised by Clube Naval do Funchal and the Madeira Swimming Association this challenging annual open water event comprises of fun activities including stand up paddle boarding and childrens races as well as the competition which is made up of several different events. Madeira Fashion (Moda Madeira) Madeira Fashion "Moda Madeira" is a fashion event held in November, organized by the Madeira Young Entrepreneurs Association (AJEM - Associao de Jovens Empresrios da Madeira), with the goal of promoting the regional fashion industry as well as the significance of historical Madeiran hand Embroidery. Dont forget to sample some of the freshly-squeezed apple cider. Created in 2007 in Paris by a group of trail running friends the event morphed from an urban environment to encompass towns, mountains, forests and the oceans, all providing a fantastic competition backdrop, and as one competitor said Have you flown? Entertainment includes traditional dancing, DJs and live music. Its tough demanding and challenging requiring competitors to be at the peak of physical fitness as they battle it out against each other in the three events comprising of a 1500km swim, 40km cycle competition and a 10km road race, all of which take place around Funchal attracting a large number of local, national and international competitors. MaXi Race Madeira So Vicente From China, France, South Africa, Italy, Ecuador and now Portugal, the MaXi Race Madeira is finally here. As one competitor commented It is amazing where your feet can take you! and where else in the world can you run above the clouds into a glowing and fiery new day. The competition comprises of several events starting late afternoon with the Wheelchair 500m race, at 17:45, various children's contests at 18:00, the Health Walk/March at 19:00 and of course the principle 6km race which begins at 20:00 allowing participants to run through brightly illuminated, Christmas decorated streets. National and International Folklore Festival Dancing is a vitally important aspect of Madeiran cultural life and although the typical traditional dances have several influences, including the mainland, Moorish slaves, Arab melodies and different elements of European dances, the Madeiran traditional dancers have a style that is unique to them and something that you will not be able to see anywhere else in the world. Madeira Orienteering Meeting 2024 (MOM) Porto Santo Madeira Orienteering Meeting is an event that is part of the Foot Orienteering Portugal calendar and takes place in March, with three different types of courses: Sprint, Middle Distance and Long Distance. May 2021. This event is hosted by the Madeira Wine Institute on Rua 5 de Outubro, Funchal. Considered to be one of Europes toughest races, competitors battle it out from Avenida do Mar, Funchal to Pico do Aeerio, against the backdrop of some of Madeiras most beautiful scenery and toughest terrain. It was then restored to its former home after the chapel was rebuilt in 1813. Visitors can browse through the stands representing local bookshops and Portuguese publishing houses, or take part in events including book launches for new releases, poetry sessions, literary seminars, entertainment for children as well as exhibitions and live music performances. Christmas & New Years Festivities 1 December 2023 to 7th January, 2024Christmas lights in Madeira 1st December to January 7th Christmas and New Year celebrations in Madeira offer a varied programme of cultural, folk and artistic events. Dont forget to sample a glass of ginjinha, a delicious liqueur made from Morello cherries. The schedule of this event includes daily group lessons, private training as well as different opportunities to get to know this beautiful island through sightseeing tours and action activities. Of course, the ultimate experience is taking part in the Big Game Fishing Championship held on the 4th of July where competitors are challenged to catch the largest Blue Marlin. The shows take place fortnightly covering a wide variety of musical genres from traditional, classical and philharmonic all performed by a wealth of talented Madeiran artists. European Triathlon Cup Comprising of running, swimming and cycling events the European Triathlon Cup and the Portuguese Triathlon Cup are organised by the Regional Triathlon Association of Madeira and the Triathlon Federation of Portugal. The event is organised by volunteers, Friends of the Land and the Parish Council of Porto da Cruz, proving once again that Madeira is an ideal trail running holiday destination. On Saturday, participants run through the surf in Seixal carrying their kayaks to then paddle them through the surging waves negotiating a 500m predesigned course. Top three festivals for 2022. Downtown Funchal is beautifully decorated with flowers for the occasion, and visitors enjoy free entry to a number of gardens and museums in Madeira. Gastronomy Exhibit of Santana Set in the picturesque town of Santana, made famous by its traditional A-frame houses, the Gastronomy Exhibit provides the opportunity for residents and those visiting the island to experience the towns signature dishes as well as view local produce and enjoy the many beautiful flower arrangements displayed around the town centre. Aleste Festival is one of the youngest events to mark the cultural life of Madeira. As with all Madeiran religious festivals, pilgrims now as then enjoyed feasting and celebrating in her name and this year is no exception as everyone is encouraged to enjoy the local cuisine, friendship and performances by local bands, DJs and traditional dancers. The doors open at 10:00 giving participating bathers time to warm up and chat and luckily the sea around Madeira is a lot warmer than the North Sea where the Dutch, who incidentally created the tradition, plunge into to celebrate the beginning of a new year.Cantar os Reis (Singing of the Kings) Funchal 5 Cantar os Reis is a charming Madeiran festival filled with carols and songs, celebrated on the 12th night after Christmas. Mostra da Sidra (Apple Cider Festival) Santo da Serra 23-24The Apple Cider Festival promotes the popular Madeiran tradition of making delicious apple cider from the apples grown in the parish of Santo da Serra. Traditionally the meal was served on a bed of cabbage and eaten off the ground where the cabbage had grown, but times have changed. The annual Classic Auto Show is an outstanding exhibition of the finest vintage and classic cars on the island of Madeira. Visitors can admire picturesque ocean views while enjoying one of the favourite local dishes grilled lapas with garlic butter and lemon. Trans Madeira 2023 19-23 September, 2023Over the past decade, Madeira has made a name for itself on the Enduro Mountain Bike scene. Classic Car Race Rampa dos Barreiros The 'Rampa dos Barreiros' Classic Car Race will begin at 11:00 a.m., with competitors driving through Funchal's Avenida do Mar and ending next to Quinta Magnlia.This race is historically significant because it commemorates the island's first major race, the 'Rampa dos Barreiros,' which took place in 1935. Its Carnival Time! It proudly presents a vast array of stunning and delectable cakes. Official Programme Flower Festival The Madeira Flower Festival occurs with the arrival of spring, when Madeira's gardens become even more colorful and exuberant. So Vicente Festival (Festas do Concelho) 20-28 For such a small island, Madeiras festival culture is second to none. The week-long School Sports Festival held at C.S Martimo creates a truly international feel with some 1800 children taking part in various gymnastic events. As such, each group has its own unique and individual style and sound. With such an abundance of fish, Madeira is an all year round big game fishing experience, especially as line-caught Blue Marlin regularly weigh in the region of 700lb making the waters around the island one of the best places in the world for big game fishing. In addition to the 30 performances taking place during the week, there is also a hotly contested art competition. Chestnut Festival (Festa da Castanha) Curral das Freiras 1st November On the first day of November in the rural parish of Curral das Freiras, homage is paid to the chestnut, which grows in abundance in this area. 100 Mile - Historic Rally 1 JulyThe "100-Mile" Historic Rally is being promoted by the Madeira Classic Car Club and will take place on the winding roads of Santa Cruz and Machico. The festivities begin on Saturday with an elaborate parade through Funchal featuring the islands best samba bands and troupes dancing through the streets in dazzling costumes. Book Fair (Feira do Livro) Funchal Held under the beautiful jacaranda trees in Funchals Avenida Arriaga, the annual Funchal Book Fair is a week-long event. The parish of Ilha produces about 90 tonnes of lemons per year, which represents about 25% of the islands production. The festival is held annually in Santa Catarina Park, which offers splendid views of the citys mountainous backdrop and Funchal Bay. Lit with a hundred plus candles the setting for the concerts is intimate and atmospheric as the lights shimmer, reflecting the quality and beauty of the music. This festival comprises a small procession, which includes the pressing of the apples, as well as much music and lively activities connected to an agricultural theme.World Tourism Day Funchal 27 Madeira celebrates World Tourism Day with activities and entertainment that recognise the importance of tourism on the island. The Madeira Flower Festival Every year in April or May, the streets of Funchal are completely immersed in colour and fragrance, with a grand parade of flowers starring many local children and youths. Even so, organisers are keen to create something special every year, as are the bars and restaurants who attend the event showcasing their signature dishes, with the aim of encouraging visitors to try something new. Happy Halloween 31 Being a popular holiday in the UK and North America, Halloween is also celebrated on the island of Madeira. Expomadeira 7-16Expomadeira is Madeira's oldest and largest business exhibition, organised by the Funchal Commercial and Industrial Association (ACIF).Over 100 companies from various RAM sectors are represented. In the fishing town of Canial, she is revered by local fishermen and their families as their way of showing their gratitude for her protection over those whose livelihood depends on the sea. Madeira Plunge Lido or Ponta Gorda Bathing Complex January 1st What better way to start the year by plunging into the sea at midday. So Pedro(28 June to 2 July) is the protector of fishermen, and lively celebrations are held in the fishing port of Cmara de Lobos and in Ribeira Brava. Happy Halloween - 31. Nowadays the fair is not only a chance for farmers to get together the fair has become a major tourist attraction with its variety of livestock, exhibitions, stalls, including plant stalls and of course a wide variety of food and beverages on offer, all set off against the backdrop of Porto Monizs stunning countryside. Besides the films, the diversified programme also includes lectures, musical concerts, workshops and fashion shows. 10. At few shopping centres in Madeira, kids dress up in costumes, get their faces painted and then go trick or treating from store to store. Rota das Estrelas (The Stars Route) Created in 2010 the Rota das Estrelas primary aim is to promote Portuguese haute cuisine, and as such, brings to Madeira renowned national and international chefs awarded with the magnificent Michelin stars and is exclusive to Michelin starred restaurants only. Carnival is a popular annual week-long event that is celebrated in Madeira Island. Its busy, hectic and a time where everyone gets to meet up with friends and family before Christmas in a little outdoor celebration.Around the City of Funchal - So Silvestre Race Funchal 28 Created in 1958, the So Silvestre Race which is organised by the Athletics Association of the Autonomous Region of Madeira is not only ideal for burning off those excess Christmas calories it is one of the oldest races in Portugal and Europe.