Madeira Events for December 2023

December marks the highliht of all of the regional events, which culminates with New Year celebrations.
This festive season commonly known as “A Festa” celebrates the arrival of Christmas season, a particular festive season which is lived intensely with a special feeling by the people of Madeira, until January 6th.

Christmas Lights Switch On

This is the day when the festive lights are switched on. Residents and tourists alike take to the streets to enjoy the magic of Christmas lighting.

Date: 01/12/2023 – 18:00
Locality: Funchal

Christmas Traditional Nights

True Madeiran Christmas traditions are displayed in different places all over the island on different dates. The best known is the market night at the Mercado dos Agricultores in Funchal on the 23rd of December.

Date: 01/12/2023 – 23/12/2023
Locality: Funchal, Calheta, Câmara de Lobos, Ribeira Brava, Santa Cruz, Santana, São Vicente

Christmas Market

The Christmas Market features several decorated stalls offering tourists a wide range of regional products, handicrafts and typical foods of the Christmas season, including plants, fruits, sugar cane honey and its by-products, just to take away.

Date: 01/12/2023 – 07/01/2024
Locality: Funchal

Childbirth Masses (Missas do Parto)

From the second half of December until Christmas Eve, Madeirans get up at dawn to participate in masses in honour of Our Lady.

Date: 15/12/2023 – 23/12/2023
Locality: Machico

New Year’s Eve Show

The fireworks show for New Year’s Eve lasts about eight minutes and is spread over 59 fireworks stations located in Funchal’s amphitheatre (27 stations), Pier 8 and Almirante Reis Beach (25 stations), at sea (5 stations) and Porto Santo Island (2 stations).

This great show, with pyrotechnic effects that combine the most modern designs, will present effects not yet seen on New Year’s Eve in the Region.

Date: 31/12/2023 – 01/01/2024 (23:59)
Locality: Funchal, Porto Santo