What's on When?

January

Firework Show: In January the visitors should not miss the spectacular Firework Show at midnight on 31 December.

Madeira Walking Festival: Between 13-17 January 2009 Madeira hosts The Walking Festival. Through levadas (watercourses) this Festival offers spectacular views and is not to miss. The visitors are offered 4 walks a day through which they can choose according to the kilometers they want to walk and difficulty.

Dia de Reis (Day of the Kings): Traditional cakes are served on 6 January.

February

Carnival: Although the carnival is celebrated all over the island,still there is no doubt that the best one takes place in Fuchal. The Carnival parade takes place on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday on the main street with hundreds of dancers, floats with themes and plenty of music.

April

Flower Festival: The most colorful festival in Madeira takes place in
the second or third week of April. All the building are decorated with colorful ribbons and flags. Traditionally, the Flower Festival opens with children participating in an entertaining ceremony in the Praça do Município where they build "Muro de Esprança" (Wall of Hope) of flowers. The following day the colorful and tasteful parade takes place on the main street. A beautiful crowd ornamented with colorful flowers and with various themes parade through the main street of Funchal. The best dressed and designed troupe is awarded in the end.

June

The Atlantic Festival: Organized by the Regional Tourism and Culture Office, this festival consists of three major events: The Madeira Music Festival, the International Pyrotechnics Competition and several street shows. The festival takes place during the entire month, from 1to 30 June- and features guest musicians.

August

Feast of Assumption: This is Madeira's biggest religious festival and celebrated by feasting and dancing. The pilgrims crawl up on their knees to pray to the statue of the Virgin Mary at Monte.

September

Madeira Wine Festival: Since the island was first settled, the wine has been a ritual for the island's folk. Madeira Wine Festival takes place in early September when the wine harvest begins in Funchal and Camara de Lobos. It is celebrated with dance, music and several wine-related activities such as wine tasting and trading.

Columbus Festival: This festival is devoted to the mariner Christopher
Columbus and takes place in Vila Baleira, Porto Santo. The Columbus Festival features music, exhibitions, drama and parades in an attempt to recall Portuguese Discoveries times.

October

Festa da Maça (Apple Festival): Bringing together many farmers from surrounding regions, this popular feast takes place in Camacha(Ponta do Pargo?) on 25-26 October. Festa da Maça features dancing, singing and drinking cider and apple brandy.

November

Festa da Castanha (Chestnut Festival): Festa da Castanha takes place in Curral das Freiras on 1 November and provides great opportunity to taste chestnuts in several different forms from this region. The chestnut soup and liquor should not be missed!

December

Starting from December 8, Christmas Decorations illuminate everywhere. However, this year, The Christmas Illuminations' Opening Ceremony is going to take place on 23 November in Funchal.

National Holidays

Please note that in the following dates most shops and offices including museums are closed.

• 1 January New Year's Day
• February Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday (These dates vary)
• March-April Good Friday and Easter Monday
• 1 May Labour Day
• June Corpus Cristi (The date varies)
• 10 June Portugal Day
• 1 July Madeira Day
• 15 August Feast of the Assumption
• 21 August Funchal Day
• 5 October Republic Day
• 1 November All Saints' Day
• 1 December Restoration of Independence Day
• 8 December Day of Our Lady
• 25-26December Christmas