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Coming hot off the heels of the Flower Festival, June is an action-packed month filled with light, colour and plenty of entertainment.
If you are looking for excitement, then there is the Medieval Market (Mercado Quinhentista) in Machico, which takes place during the 2nd and 3rd. This is a superb way to experience Madeira’s unique and vibrant heritage. With the 600 years of the discovery of Madeira and Porto Santo very much in mind, this year’s event promises to be a fun-filled dynamic event with historical re-enactments, street performers, theatre and traditional stalls.
On the 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th (all Saturday evenings) the Atlantic Festival Fireworks contest takes place. Each Saturday night is ablaze with colour as international pyrotechnic companies fight it out to become the winner of this prestigious competition and provide the end of year firework display.
From the 4th to the 8th, the Madeira Cider Fest will take place at Placa Central, Avenida Arriaga. This event will feature cider tastings, culinary cooking demonstrations (in which some local restaurants will participate), themed conversations, and plenty of entertainment.
The "Biosfera Roller Skate," an international speed skating competition, will take place on June 8th and 9th at the 200-meter track at the mouth of Ribeira do Faial in Santana.
If extreme fitness is your thing, the Madeira Cross Games, a three-day CrossFit training competition, will be held in Funchal's city centre (Praça do Povo) from the 8th to the 10th.
Creativity knows no bounds during the Regional Arts Week as some 4,000 students exhibit their work and provide live entertainment throughout Funchal from 12th to the 18th.
The Almirante Reis Gardens will be playing host to Global Wellness Day on the 10th. This free event aims to show people how important it is to balance our mind, body and soul through various alternative therapies, including meditation and dancing.
One of the highlights of the month is the Festival of Popular Saints (Festa dos Santos Populares). The event takes place from the 12th to the 29th and celebrates the lives of St. Anthony (Santo Antonio), St. John (São João), and St. Peter (São Pedro). As with all Madeiran festivals, there is plenty of good food, wine and live entertainment as well as homages to the saints themselves. This includes parades, marches (12, 13 & 23), the occasional jumping over bonfires and live music. The celebrations take place in Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, Calheta and Ribeira Brava.
Later on, in the week, the Atlantic Roots Festival 15th, 16th and 17th springs into action. Considered one of Portugals oldest traditional music festivals this year's programme is a change from the norm as each night will showcase a different music genre including Madeiran, funk and soul and of course Portuguese music.
The island of Porto Santo will be hosting the very popular St. John’s Festival (Festa de São João) between the 15th and 25th.
Ultra Skyrunning Madeira - The Skyrunner World Series and the Skyrunner National Series Spain, Andorra & Portugal takes place from the 16th to 17th. The event comprises of four races, the Madeira Sky Race, the Santana Vertical Kilometer, Santana Sky Race and the ‘Furão Sky Race’ Laurissilva Forest.
Over the weekend, Jardim da Serra will be holding its famous Cherry Festival with plenty of entertainment including a parade to celebrate the new harvest from the 17th and 18th. Entertainment suddenly takes on a more homespun appeal as Boaventura hosts its traditional and delicious Soup Fair (Soupa do Campo) from the 17th to the 18th. The soups were initially created to sustain busy workers and are substantial, tasty and include the islands renowned Açorda da Madeira.
Funchal celebrates St. John's Altars (Festa dos Altares de São João) from the 21st to the 24th. Local businesses in the areas of Largo do Carmo, Rua da Conceição, Rua da Figueira Preta, and Travessa dos Reis prepare and display their traditional altar creativity, which is followed by a gastronomic show and great musical entertainment.
The Regional Bread Fair is held between the 23rd and 25th at People's Square (Praça do Povo), an event organised by the Lions Clube do Funchal for over 20 years, and brings together a heavenly selection of local homemade bread and cakes that will whet any appetite.
While St. Peter's Day will be celebrated in Ribeira Brava from June 28th to 29th and in Câmara de Lobos from June 28th to July 2nd. Ideal for all those who love a good party, as there is plenty of food, live entertainment and a firework display.
On June 28th, the midnight fireworks in Câmara de Lobos can be seen live on the webcam at the Restaurant Miradouro Cruz da Caldeira.
