navigationWith its colourful landscapes, fascinating culture and welcoming people, the island of Madeira offers stunning views, amazing hiking possibilities, mouth-watering gourmet food and adventurous road trips.
Each and every year, a whole host of events take place in Madeira and 2019 is no exception. We’ve created a guide outlining some of the events you can expect to enjoy in Madeira every month of this year:
January
Poncha & Honey Festival, Serra de Agua, Ribeira Brava
Jan 26: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Poncha and Honey Festival takes place every year at the end of January and offers visitors the chance to sample Poncha – the traditional drink of Madeira Island, which is made of rum, oranges, lemon juice, and honey.
But that’s not all… there are also plenty of honey stalls, music, and entertainment – all set against that stunning backdrop of Serra d’Agua. This year, there will also be live music from Kontraband and a disco that will finish at 4am!
February
Festa dos Compadres, Santana
Feb 23 & 24: all day
Marking the official opening of Madeira’s iconic festival season, Festa Dos Compadres Santana is an all-day event that is celebrated with great enthusiasm by locals and tourists alike.
Throughout the day’s celebrations, you will be able to enjoy an eclectic carnival atmosphere with gigantic figures roaming cobbled streets, colourful parades, live music, and many acts adopting traditions that go back 50 years.
March
Madeira Literary Festival
March 12th to the 16th
Hosted by the Baltazar Dias Municipal Theatre, the Madeira Literary Festival is an annual event that brings together poets, writers, and literary critics from across Madeira and the globe – making it the perfect event for cultural exchange and idea generation.
April
Flower Festival
April 2nd May – May 19th
The Flower Festival provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy Madeira in bloom. Boasting a stunning selection of floral species that originate from both tropical and cold regions, this wonderful festival features colourful parades, floral inspired fancy dress, and captivating floral arrangements.
May
Madeira Film Festival
May 8th to 14th
If you love film, make sure you head to Madeira between the 8th-14th May. Inspired by nature, the Madeira Film Festival is an international independent festival that is renowned for presenting subject matter related to education, art, sustainability, ecotourism and recreation.
June
Atlantic Festival
June 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th, 2019
Signalling the beginning of the summer season, the Atlantic Festival is not to be missed! Offering a whole host of entertainment, music and even fireworks, this momentous even in Madeira’s social calendar is popular with locals and tourists alike.
July
Madeira Big Game Fishing Championship
July,3rd 2019
Attracting fishermen from around the world, the Madeira Big Game Fishing Championship is a well-known fishing event in the world of sport, which takes place in all corners of the globe. This year the Madeira Islands will host this highly anticipated event on July 3rd.
August
Madeira Wine Festival
August 25th to September 8th
The perfect opportunity to indulge in your favourite tipple, the Madeira Wine Festival is widely recognised as one of the island’s main tourist attractions. Taking place between August 25th to September 8th, this annual festival attracts visitors from far and wide.
September
Columbus Festival
September 12th to 14th 2019
Based on the historical re-enactment of a time when a famous merchant lived in Porto Santo Island, the Columbus Festival explores the many sides to his stay on the Madeira Islands. Trust us, this is a history lesson that you won’t want to miss.
October
Nature Festival
October 1st to 6th 2019
The Madeira Nature Festival offers locals and tourists the opportunity to participate in a jam-packed programme of activities, all inspired by nature. In fact, the main goal of this annual festival is to inspire people to get up close and personal with Madeira’s rich natural heritage.
November
Saint Martin Festivities
November 10th 2019
Celebrated by the Catholic Church, the Saint Martin Festivities is an annual celebration that depicts the faith and unique traditions of the people in of Madeira, whilst paying tribute to Saint Martin.
December
Night at the Market
December 23rd
Christmas time is always a magical affair on the island of Madeira. And the Night at the Market event provides the perfect opportunity to stock up on those final Christmas gifts.
From food and drink through to handmade gifts and trinkets, you will find a whole host of independent sellers showcasing the most wonderful gifts. This event takes place at the same time every single year.
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