Events for Madeira and Porto Santo...

MADEIRA EVENTS CALENDAR 2023/2024

Madeira is an island blooming with flowers and events. There is an interesting event almost every month to delight both tourists and the local population. Some of them are even known worldwide, as is the case of the Flower Festival or the New Year's Eve Fireworks. Curious?!

Check out our Event Calendar to learn more!

January

Panelo Festival – Chão da Ribeira, Seixal – 21-22
This is one of the oldest festivals in the Seixal municipality, taking place annually on the last Sunday of January in Chão da Ribeira and centred around the preparation of the municipality's signature dish, which is similar to a stew but is made from cabbage, pork, and local sausages cooked in enormous pots over open fires.

Funchal Marathon – 22
This sporting event is coordinated by the Madeira Athletics Association and features three different competitions (a marathon, a half marathon, and a mini marathon). This competition attracts participants from all over the world thanks to the spectacularly beautiful trails they run on.

Madeira Web Summit, Digital Nomad Edition – 25-29
Anyone interested in making remote work their primary source of income while visiting our stunning island is welcome to attend the Madeira Web Summit Digital Nomad Edition 2023.

February

Festa dos Compadres – Santana – 9, 11, 12 and 16
Festa dos Compadres has been held on the weekend before Madeira's Carnival for the past half-century. Santana, located in the northeast of the island, hosts this celebration with a parade of decorated floats, troupes in traditional costumes, and musical entertainment. Giant figurines are openly mocked, judged, and joyfully burned as the actors perform comedic sketches about social and political issues. Espetada and bolo do caco, two of the island's most well-known culinary creations, are available at a number of different stands.

Funchal Weddings & Parties ‘Funchal Noivos & Festas’ – 10-12 (Friday from 18:00 to 22:30, Saturday from 15:00 to 22:30, and Sunday from 15:00 to 21:00)
The Weddings Fair "Funchal Noivos & Festas" will be held at the VidaMar Congress Center - Hotels & Resorts (Centro de Congressos VidaMar - Hotels & Resorts). The three-day event, organised by the Funchal Trade and Industry Association and the Madeira Chamber of Commerce (ACIF-CCIM), includes workshops, video sessions, fashion shows, make-up demonstrations, and more, showcasing both national and international talent, with the goal of promoting Madeira as an ideal wedding and honeymoon destination.

Porto Moniz Trail – 12
If you're looking for a sporting event where you can have a good time while competing with others and taking in some of the world's most stunning scenery, look no further than the Porto Moniz Trail. This event offers three different distance options (Short Trail, Ultra Trail, and Long Trail) so that runners can experience the beautiful Laurissilva forest in the municipality of Porto Moniz. Runners will traverse the forest on footpaths and levadas, focusing on the Fanal, Estanquinhos, and Chão da Ribeira areas.

Happy Valentine’s Day – 14th February

Madeira Carnival Festivities – 15-26 February, 2023 (Main Parade 18th and Fun Parade 21st)
Madeira Carnival is an extravagant bonanza, celebrated in the capital, Funchal. Costumes, music, food… Everything you could ask for is here. No costume is too crazy for this beautiful Carnival!

March

Madeira Orienteering Meeting (MOM) 2023 – Porto Santo – 18-19
Madeira Orienteering Meeting is a nature sport event part of the Foot Orienteering calendar in Portugal. This competition, which lasts three days, has three routes of middle distance within the mountains and a sprint course in the city of Funchal (this year takes place in Porto Santo Island).

Earth Hour Funchal Race – 28

April

Lemon Festival (Festa do Limão) Ilha – Santana
Santana, in the parish of Ilha, hosts an annual Lemon Festival.
The farmers of the area display their wares with pride, and there are many stands selling cakes and traditional foods that prominently feature this ingredient.

Madeira Island Ultra Trail (MIUT 2023) – 22-23  
Madeira Island Ultra Trail, commonly known as MIUT, is an annual event promoted by Clube de Montanha do Funchal. Already considered one of the main international trail events, it attracts participants from all over the world. It consists of a sea-to-sea trail race across the island, from Porto Moniz (northwest) to Machico (southeast), crossing the highest mountain peaks in Madeira, Pico Ruivo and Pico do Areeiro. Participants, who cannot endure these 115 km, may choose shorter circuits: the 85 km of the “Ultra”, the 42 km of the “Marathon” or the 16 km of the “Mini”.

Madeira Flower Festival – (Children's Parade "Wall of Hope" 29th April and "Flower Parade" 30th April) – Celebrations 27 April-21 May 2023
The Madeira Flower Festival attracts thousands of visitors from all around the world to witness what is, arguably, one of the most beautiful sights you will ever see! Fresh flowers flood the streets and a delicate fragrance fills the air. If you choose to visit Madeira, make sure you attend this event. It is not to be missed!

May

Madeira Classic Car Revival – Praça do Povo
The Madeira Classic Car Revival is an annual automobile event organized by the Classical Car Club of Madeira, taking place at Praça do Povo. The event features a wide variety of classic cars, motorbikes, bicycles, buses, firetrucks, police vehicles and more.

June

Atlantic Festival Fireworks Competition – 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2023
This breathtaking festival boasts some of the most impressive firework displays you will ever see. Combining fireworks with the best classical music creates a feast for your eyes and ears!

Medieval Market – Machico

São João Festival – 12th-29th
This festival takes place on the island of Porto Santo, just off the coast of Madeira. Though it is of a religious origin, it also symbolises the beginning of summer festivities for all Madeirans. The festival encompasses beautiful firework displays, music and plenty of local gastronomy to try out!

Festa da Cereja (Cherry Festival) – Câmara de Lobos, Jardim da Serra
Each year in Câmara de Lobos, the sweet, fruit of the cherry tree is the star of the cherry festival, with the parade, food stalls, and music keeping you entertained for hours.

Festa dos Santos Populares (Festival of the Popular Saints) – 12-29

Ultra Skyrunning Madeira 2023 – 16-17

July

Madeira Day – 1 July
Madeira celebrates its independence from mainland Portugal on July 1, which was granted in the Portuguese Constitution in 1976. This regional holiday is celebrated throughout the Autonomous Region of Madeira with official ceremonies, various activities, and concerts.

Madeira Big Game Fishing – 4th July
Madeira Big Game Fishing is a unique experience, offering anglers to catch some of the world's largest fish. This competition is part of the Blue Marlin Fishing World Cup, which takes place every year on July 4th. Participants in this event will not only have the opportunity to catch some of the most impressive fish on earth, but they will also compete against other anglers from around the world.

Funchal Jazz Festival – 1-5 July (Municipal Gardens) and 6-8 July (Parque de Santa Catarina)
Jazz fans flock to this festival, which is already a reference in the jazz world, taking place annually at Parque de Santa Catarina, in Funchal. In addition to the main Jazz concerts at Santa Catarina Park, there will be free Jazz concerts at the Municipal Garden (Jardim Municipal).

Madeira Summer Opening – Parque de Santa Catarina – 14, 15, 21 and 22, 2023
Madeira Summer Opening is an annual outdoor Music Festival held at the Santa Catarina Parque in Funchal. This three day event combines great music and lots of nature fun activities. For tickets visit the following shops: Fnac, Forum Madeira, lojas Worten, Ctt

August

Madeira Wine Rally (European Rally Championship)
If racing is your thing, visit Madeira in August to witness some of the best rally car racing in Europe!

Funchal City Day – 21

Madeira Wine Festival – Shows and Exhibitions in Funchal and Câmara de Lobos – August 31 to September 17, 2023
This festival commemorates Madeira's wine-growing roots with traditional old-style wine making processes, such as the treading of grapes, along with many other activities. Any wine lover cannot afford to miss this!

September

Columbus Festival – Porto Santo Island – 21-24
This festival celebrates the life and adventures of the famous navigator Christopher Columbus, who lived in Porto Santo for a couple of years. The festival takes place on Porto Santo Island itself, with various activities taking place, the highlight being the re-enactment of Columbus' arrival at Porto Santo Harbour.

World Tourism Day – Funchal – 27

October

Madeira Organ Festival – 1-31

Madeira Nature Festival – 3-8, 2023

Lord of Miracles Festival Machico – 8-9

Happy Halloween – 31

November

Chestnut Festival (Festa da Castanha) – Curral das Freiras – 1st November


December

Madeira Christmas Lights – 1st December 2023 - 7th January 2024
From December to early January, there will be fantastic decorations and exhibitions all over Funchal. (Market Night on 23rd)

End of the Year Madeira Festivities – 31st December The Grand Finale New Year's Eve Fireworks
Madeira celebrates the festive season in style, and when we say in style, we mean it! Mind-blowing firework displays, street parties and people flooding through the streets to celebrate. Madeira is the perfect place to celebrate your Christmas or New Year, and make it one to remember!

Further details on Madeira Web