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It’s fun, funky and fantastic! It has to be February and its Carnival Season!
The month kicks off in a big way with the Compadres Festival, on the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 8th. Not only does it herald the opening of carnival, its fun-filled atmosphere also makes Santana the place to be.
Of course, February wouldn’t be February without the Madeira Carnival (see programme). The Carnival, which runs from the 7th to the 18th, is one of Madeira's most memorable events, with parades, themed parties, street entertainment along Avenida Arriaga, and several events ranging from the Children's Parade to the Senior Citizen Solidarity procession on the (moved to 16th of Feb), allowing everyone to have a good time and enjoy the festivities, as well as the all-important Carnival parade on Avenida do Mar on the 10th. All the evening’s entertainment will be broadcast live on the Funchal Marina Live Webcam.
However, it’s not just the capital that explodes into light, merriment, and entertainment; on Sunday, the 11th, many of the islands' principal towns, including Machico, Câmara de Lobos, Ribeira Brava, Santa Cruz, and Porto Santo Island, will hold their official carnival parades.
Finally, it’s the turn of the Trapalhão (Slapstick parade), which takes place on Tuesday the 13th giving everyone a chance to dress up again and entertain the crowds.
And with romance in the air, the island captivates lovers from all over the world and is the perfect place to celebrate Valentine’s Day on the 14th. With its beautiful scenery, romantic boutique hotels and charm, this is a lover’s paradise.
The Ritz Madeira restaurant is a great choice for Valentine's Day; for reservations, call (+351) 291 281 405 • (+351) 291 648 155 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; for a quick peek, check out our live webcam.
The Children's Parade and the Senior Citizen Solidarity Procession taking place on the 16th on Avenida Arriaga. The Madeira Carnival celebrations will continue until the 18th, with plenty of children's entertainment, lively music and dancing performances.
Anona exhibition and live entertainment, Faial Madeira upbeat Cherimoya Fruit Festival (Festa da Anona) on the 17th and 18th featuring Madeira's unique and delicious custard apples, and if you have never tried one before, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.
The Porto Moniz Trail, which takes place on the 18th, is an ideal sporting event for those who want to compete while also enjoying some of the world's most beautiful scenery. This race through Porto Moniz's Laurissilva forest offers three different distance options for runners of varying abilities (Short Trail, Ultra Trail, and Long Trail) and takes runners through the forest on levadas and trails through Fanal, Estanquinhos, and Chão da Ribeira.
Experience an enchanting concert featuring João Barradas and conductor Pedro Amaral with the Madeira Classic Orchestra on February 24th at 18:00 in the Madeira Legislative Assembly. Don't miss this exceptional musical event. For tickets and additional details, visit the Madeira Classical Orchestra website.
