If you’re looking for somewhere abroad to get into the festive spirit, then consider winter in Madeira.
Temperatures reach around 18-20 degrees. The climate is pleasant enough for activities such as hiking. Take advantage of the island’s wonderful natural sights and attractions without battling the usual tourist crowd. The sea remains warm enough to swim in, so pack your swimming gear. Be prepared for rain though as November to February are the wettest months. There’s still an average of 6 hours of sun daily so don’t be surprised if you need sunglasses.
Many seafront bars and restaurants remain open as Madeira proves popular year-round. The Christmas festivities are an attraction in their own right. With this list of festive events, it’s not difficult to see why.
Christmas lights in Funchal Photo by: andreasruf/Fotolia
December
8th – Christmas Lights.
The island’s Christmas lights get officially switched on. These are truly magical; a real rival for those found in big cities worldwide. They stay on until mid-January and help encourage festivities.
23rd – Market Night.
This is an all-night festive party. People head to the closed-off streets to buy their final Christmas gifts and for festive food. There’s more celebrations at the Funchal farmers market, Mercado dos Lavradores. Hear live music and watch folklore groups perform. Have a drink at one of the bars that will remain open all night serving traditional Madeiran drinks. Order the tasty traditional Christmas sandwich, carne vinho alhos (pork marinated with wine and garlic) too.
24th – Midnight Mass.
Every church on the island will celebrate Missa do Galo, or Rooster’s Mass. The Bishop of Funchal presides over the televised mass at Funchal’s Sé Cathedral. If you want to attend be sure to arrive early as seats fill up quickly.
31st- New Year’s Eve.
A celebration of the year just finished and a welcome to the year to come. Thousands of tourists enjoy the firework display from the downtown areas or from the seafront. Fireworks are let off from various areas, even the island of Porto Santo. You can see the display from the sea by taking a trip out on one of the many boats on offer from the shore. The display set a record in 2006 in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest fireworks show in the world when it consisted of 66,326 fireworks.
January
1st January – The Madeira Plunge, Funchal.
This event hasn’t been around that long but is quickly becoming a new tradition for many. People flock to the Ponta Gorda swimming complex to take part in this charity dive. Start the new year with an invigorating swim! Register to take part online.
5th – Canta os Reis (Singing of the Kings), Funchal.
On the Twelfth Night, falling 12 days after Christmas, people gather in groups to roam door to door singing lively carols. Families will take musical instruments to their neighbour’s homes and gather inside to carol. This night of traditional carolling falls in line with the Association of the Casas do Pova’s musical show of the same name. Catch it from 8pm in the Auditorium of the Municipal Garden.
15th – Santo Amaro Festival, Santa Cruz.
Families settle down together for one last festive meal where they eat leftover Christmas food. This is the night decorations and nativity scenes are taken down. Visit the stalls selling local treats and listen to live music. A candlelit procession is held in honour of the patron saint to the Igreja Matriz.
Festa dos Compadres, Santana.
With a date yet to be confirmed, this 50-year-old event opens up Madeira’s carnival season. Be delighted by the variety of decorated floats, traditional costumes, live music, and stalls. The event signifies a renewal of the community, with sketches enacted of actions by individuals and organisations that happened in the previous year. Giant comical figures are displayed and then burned. The activities from the night are thought to cleanse any tensions so the year can be started afresh.
Christmas lights in Funchal Photo by: anilah/Fotolia
Will winter in Madeira convince you to spend Christmas away?
We’re sure that Madeira’s wide range of festive events will have you packing your swimsuit, sunglasses, jumpers, and raincoats ready for a trip away. Have you ever visited Madeira in their Christmas period? Let us know what your highlights were in the comments.
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Written by Jessica Juby.
