Madeira Events and Attractions for 2012/2013JanuaryCantar os Reis ‘Singing of the Kings’ – Funchal 5th to 6th 2012 “Santo Amaro” Festival – Santa Cruz – Jan 15th 2012 February Festa dos Compadres - Santana - February 9th, 11th, 12th and 16th 2012 Madeira Carnival – 18th - 21th 2012 Saturday Revelry in the City Centre 21:00 - Grand Carnival Parade. Starting at the Praça da Autonomia, Avenida do Mar e das Comunidades Madeirenses, subida pela R. dias Leite, Infante roundabout, Av. Arriaga, Avenida Zarco, Rua Câmara Pestana and Praça do Municipio
Tuesday Revelry in the City Centre 16:00 - Slapstick Cortege, open to everyone. Starting at Praça da Autonomia, Avenida do Mar e das Comunidades Madeirenses, subida pela R. dias Leite, Infante roundabout, Av. Arriaga, Avenida Zarco, Rua Câmara Pestana e Praça do Municipio
April Festival de Jardins do Funchal (Festival of the Gardens) – April 13th 2012 to 11th March 2013 The Festival de Jardins do Funchal aims to promote Funchal’s beautiful gardens, outdoor spaces and unique flora. Held in the Jardim Almirante Reis in the historic centre of Funchal, local residents, gardeners, artists and local businesses can take part by creating mini-gardens for the community and holidaymakers to enjoy. Allocated lots are provided free of charge by the Funchal Town Hall. Participants maintain this community garden for 11 months and prizes are awarded at the end of the festival. Madeira Flower Festival – 21st and 22nd 2012 Every year, two weeks after Easter, Madeira’s flower-festival fills the main streets of Funchal’s centre with floats displaying a myriad of flowers and colours. On the eve before the street parade, thousands of children gather in the Praça do Município where they build a ‘Wall of Hope’, made of thousands of flowers. Other accompanying activities during this time are the making of flower carpets in the streets, folklore performances, flower shows, classical music concerts and variety shows.
May Festa do Limão (Lemon Festival) Ilha – Santana - 11 - 13 2012 Madeira Island Open (PGA European Tour) – Santo da Serra - 17 - 20 2012 Festa da Cebola (Onion Festival) – Caniço - 18 - 20 2012 Book Fair – Funchal - 18 - 27 2012 Festas da Sé – Funchal - May 25 - June 3 2012 June Atlantic Festival - Fireworks Contest – 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th 2012 The Atlantic Festival is organised by the Regional Secretariat of Tourism and Culture and is an important event that combines entertainment and culture. It has three components: the Madeira Music Festival, the International Fireworks Competition and performances by philharmonic bands in Funchal’s centre.
During this festival classical music performances are held in eminent sites of the region, such as Palácio de São Lourenço, Teatro Municipal Balthazar Dias, Casa das Mudas, and several churches in Funchal. This festival also comprises the International Fireworks Competition, in which, on every Saturday in June, contestants from different countries organise magnificent firework displays in harmony with accompanying music.
Festival of the popular saints – Festa dos Santos Populares 12th – 30th 2012 Cherry Festival (Festa da Cereja) – Câmara de Lobos, Jardim da Serra XXIV Volta à Madeira - Classic Rally – 22nd - 26th 2012 July Madeira Day – 1st July Funchal Jazz Festival – July 5th, 6th and 7th 2012 Banana Exhibit – Madalena do Mar 17th and 18th 48 hours Dancing Folklore Festival – Santana Festa da Lapa (Limpet festival) – Paul do Mar Machico Gastronomy – July 27th to 5th August 2012 August Madeira Wine Rally (European Rally Championship) – 2th to 4th 2012 Monte Festival – August 13th - 15th Wine Harvest Festival – Porto Santo
September Madeira Wine Festival – August 26th to 4th September 2012 The festival begins in the village of Câmara de Lobos with the actual picking of the grapes, the pickers’ parade, the treading of the grapes and other related traditions that are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. In the centre of Funchal, the Madeira Wine Festival includes light, sound and folk shows, all related to old wine-making traditions, and many stands serve typical seasonal Madeiran food and drink specialities.
Columbus Festival - Porto Santo Island – 13th to 15th Columbus’ first visit to Madeira was in 1478, as in those times Funchal was an important sugar trade centre. However, his closest ties to the archipelago are resulting from his marriage to Filipa Moniz, daughter of the first captain-donee of Porto Santo.
Columbus lived in the archipelago during the last quarter of the 15th century and his first child Diogo was born in Porto Santo. This festival recalls the discoverer’s life in the Madeira Archipelago, his voyages to the Americas and the glorious times of the Great Discoveries. The highlight of this week crammed with history is the re-enactment of Columbus’ and his party’s arrival in Porto Santo’s harbour. Apple Festival - Ponta do Pargo World Tourism Day – Funchal 27th Happy Halloween – 31st I Festival do Vinho do Bordado e do Artesanato da Madeira – November December 2012 – January 2013 Christmas and New Year’s Entertainment – 1sth December 2012 to 6th January 2013 Already from 8th December on Funchal’s streets are magnificently decorated with innumerable colourful lights put up in motifs relating to the island and the festive season.
New Year’s Eve is celebrated everywhere on the island, in hotels, restaurants, bars, and even in the streets. The highlight of the New Year’s Eve festivities are spectacular fireworks – set off from approximately 50 posts – that illuminate the skies over Funchal for the duration of about ten minutes. This is a truly unforgettable event, which brings back a multitude of visitors to the island each year. |
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