01 to 07
December January
Christmas lights in downtown and amphitheatre of Funchal
Schedule
Every day
18:00 – 01:00
With exception to: 25 and 30 December
18:00 – 04:00
23, 24 and 31 December
18:00 – 06:00
Light Animation
Funchal city is decorated to celebrate Christmas from the first day of December. Its streets, plazas and riversides are adorned with various Christmas motifs, creating true light and colour shows which alternate between tunnels and dances, awakening the Christmas spirit in the young and old alike. Praça do Povo | Funchal Pier | Praça do Colombo | Largo do Chafariz | Largo do Phelps | Rua Fernão Ornelas | Rua Câmara Pestana
Christmas lights in Porto Santo Vila Baleira
Schedule
Every day
18:00 – 01:00
With exception to: 24 and 31 December
18:00 – 04:00
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga
Ambient music
Christmas Market
Performances by folklore and concert groups, as well as philharmonic bands
Ethnographic exhibitions and living pictures
Christmas Market
Fresh fruit, plants, Madeira wine, sugarcane honey and its by-products, as well as traditional regional gastronomy of the Christmas season, are some of the regional products to be found at this Christmas Market.
The ambient music surrounds the carefully decorated houses, with visitors being embraced by the Christmas atmosphere and invited to socialize and partake in the celebration.
Schedule Sunday to Thursday 10:00 – 00:00 Friday and Saturday 10:00 – 01:00
24 December
10:00 – 18:00
23, 30 and 31 December 10:00 – 04:00
25 December and 1 January
Closed
Diverse Performances
The Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga serves as a stage for daily performances, with philharmonic bands, folklore and concert groups entertaining those present. Let yourself be captivated by the melody, joy and animation which lingers in the air!
Nativity Scene
Here, two unique Madeiran nativity scenes can be seen: the Lapinha or traditional nativity scene and the Escadinha or staircase nativity scene, featuring Baby Jesus at the top, decorated with fruit and typical Christmas figurines. The Lapinha presents a contemporary vision of the Birth of Christ, while the Escadinha stands out for its beauty and majestic presence. This fusion of tradition and modernity creates a visually engaging environment that exalts the Christmas spirit and Madeira’s cultural heritage.
2 3 1
Ethnographic Village
Various traditions of the Madeiran culture, such as gastronomy, handicraft and folclore, are represented live in the Ethnographic Village, in Largo da Restauração. Here, while you taste the typical wheat soup and the traditional Bolo do Caco, the two types of traditional Madeiran nativity scenes on exhibition, can be seen: the traditional nativity scene which replicates the humanized and natural landscape, including vegetation, terraces, valleys, creeks, houses and sheds, as well as the staircase nativity scene consisting of a small altar in the form of steps, featuring Baby Jesus at the top.
Schedule
1 to 17 December and 1 to 7 January
Sunday to Thursday 09:30 – 22:00
Friday and Saturday
09:30 – 23:00
18 to 31 December
Monday to Sunday
09:30 – 23:00
24 December
09:30 – 18:00
25 December Closed
Madeira Embroidery and Regional Handicarft Pavillion
Madeira Embroidery and Regional Handicrafts are promoted by the Madeira Wine, Embroidery, and Handicrafts Institute (IVBAM), through the participation of various Madeira Embroidery producers and renowned artisans. They display and sell their pieces, which are perfect for unique and exquisite Christmas gifts.
Schedule 01 to 15 December 2024 | Madeira Embroidery
16 December to 07 January 2025 | Madeiran Handicraft
10:00 – 19:00
Children’s Christmas Municipal Garden
The Municipal Garden transforms itself into a true Christmas Garden, with Christmas lights, such as Santa Claus, a sleigh, a train, reindeer, snowmen, polar bears, Christmas balls and much colour and light. Here, the children’s Christmas imagination comes to life, giving wings to the imagination of children and adults, adding joy and excitement to its visitors.
01, 07, 08, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, 26, 28 and 29
December 2024
“Foi Aquintrodia” (It was just the other Day)
Praça do Povo
12:30 – 13:00
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga
13:30 – 14:30
Municipal Garden 14:30 – 15:30
Take part in various cultural activities, traditional games and representations of Madeiran daily life from times gone by, which are represented here and promoted by members of the Camacha Youth Folk Group and the Camacha Children’s Folk Group.
01 December
Sunday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 15:00
Performance by the Caniço and Eiras Philharmonic Band Folk Area 11:00
Performance by the Caniçal Community Centre Folklore Group Concert Stage 18:00
Concert by Bossa Livre 21:00
Concert by the Black & White Dixieland Jazz Band
02 December
Monday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 18:00
Performance by the Câmara de Lobos Municipal Band Folk Area 15:00
Performance by the Quinta Grande Folklore Cultural and Recreational Group Concert Stage 21:00
Concert by Westside
03,17and 27December
03 January
Christmas Workshops
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga
Concert Stage 15:00 – 16:00
The Christmas Workshops allow for the making and sharing of treats, thus diffusing the genuine Madeiran traditions of this season. On the designated days and times, next to the stage in Avenida Arriaga, one can learn how to make various traditional treats, such as Bolo do Caco, cocktails, Bolo Rei (Kings Cake), amongst other traditional recipes and Madeiran features.
03 December
Tuesday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga
Folk Area 11:00
Performance by the São Martinho
Community Centre Folklore Cultural and Recreational Group
18:00
Performance by the Monteverde Folklore Group
Concert Stage 15:00
Christmas Workshop – Honey Broas –Fábrica Ribeiro Seco 21:00
Concert by C’azoada
04 and 05
December
Let’s decorate the Tree Torre do Capitão
The gardens of Torre do Capitão host the event “Let’s decorate the Christmas tree”, where several Christmas trees are decorated with motifs made by school children and persons attending social solidarity institutions. The Camacha Youth Folklore Group and the Camacha Children’s Folklore Group liven up this moment with traditional Madeiran performances and representations.
04 December
Wednesday
05 December
Thursday
1 1
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 11:00
Performance by the Ribeira Brava Municipal Band 18:00
Performance by the Funchal District Band –Os Guerrilhas Folk Area
15:00
Performance by the Gaula Community Centre Folklore Group Concert Stage 21:00
Concert by Cháp4
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 15:00
Performance by the Arco de São Jorge Philharmonic Band Folk Area 11:00
Performance by the São Martinho Folklore Cultural and Recreational Group 18:00
Performance by the Santo António Cultural Centre Folklore Group Concert Stage 21:00
Concert by Garcias
07 December
Saturday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 15:00
06 December
Friday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga
18:00
Performance by the São Lourenço da Camacha Parish Band
Folk Area
15:00
Performance by the Calheta Folklore Group
Concert Stage 21:00
Concert by Heloísa Sousa
Performance by the Câmara de Lobos
Municipal Band Folk Area 11:00
Performance by the Santa Cruz Community Centre Folklore Group Concert Stage 18:00
Concert by the Madeira Chamber Choir 21:00
Concert by Contratempo
Baltazar Dias Municipal Theatre
18:00
Harp recital with Floraleda Sacchi (Italy)
08 December
Sunday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga
11:00
Performance by the Ribeira Brava Municipal Band
Folk Area
15:00
Performance by the Calheta Folklore Group
Concert Stage
18:00
Concert by Agridoce 21:00
Concert by Micaela Setim
09 to 13 December
8th School Choir Festival of the Autonomous Region of Madeira – Artistic Education Department
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga
Concert Stage
11:00 and 15:00
The Regional School Choir Festival is an event which brings together pupils from various schools in Funchal. Over the course of the festival, the public is invited to assist and enjoy the singing of dozens of Christmas songs, in which diverse genres and music styles will be explored.
09 December
Monday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga
Folk Area
18:00
Performance by the Ribeira Brava Community Centre Folklore Group
Concert Stage
21:00
Concert by No Name Band
10 December
Tuesday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 18:00
Performance by Banda de Recreio Camponês Concert Stage 21:00
Concert by Galáxia
11 December
Wednesday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga Folk Area
18:00
Performance by the Camacha Community Centre Folklore Group Concert Stage 21:00
Concert by the Carla Rojas Quartet
12 December
Thursday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 18:00
Performance by the Machico Municipal Band Concert Stage 21:00
Concert by the Jazz Constellation
13 December
Friday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga Concert Stage 18:00
Concert by Andrea Vergel 21:00
Concert by the Fado singer Fadista Susana Andrade
15 to 23 December
14 December
Saturday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 11:00
Performance by the Santana Municipal Band Folk Area
15:00
Performance by the Ponta do Sol Folklore Group
Concert Stage
18:00
Concert by Triova Voices
21:00
Concert by the Stardust Acoustic Project
English Church
18:00
Have yourself a merry little Jazzmas! –Students from the Music Conservatory –Escola das Artes da Madeira
Childbirth Masses Cathedral
07:30
In the early hours of the days, from the 15th to the 23rd of December, a novena, known as the Missas do Parto, or the Chilbirth masses, is celebrated, marking the beginning of the religious Christmas celebrations, one of the most genuine traditions of the Madeiran Christmas period. During the religious ceremony, churchgoers sing popular verses in honour of the Mother of God and Baby Jesus. At the end of the ceremony, the churchyards are the setting of the season’s regional and traditional music, as well as tastings of the most diverse Christmas delicacies such as cocoa, chicken soup, carne vinha d’alhos (meat marinated in wine and garlic), biscuits and liqueurs.
08:15
Performance by the association Grupo de Romarias e Tradições da Camacha
15 December
Sunday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 15:00
Performance by the Paulense Municipal Band Folk Area 11:00
Performance by the Machico Folklore Group Concert Stage 18:00
Concert by the sextet Melro Preto “Sing Christmas” 21:00
Concert by the Arco da Calheta Choral Group
17 December
Tuesday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga Folk Area 11:00
Performance by the São Martinho Folklore Cultural and Recreational Group 18:00
Performance by the São Martinho Community Centre Folklore Group Concert Stage 15:00
Christmas workshop – Bolo do Caco –Casinha do Bolo do Caco 21:00
Concert by the Madeira Fado Association
18
to 30 December
27th Christmas Choir Festival – Christmas in Funchal - Orfeão Madeirense
16 December
Monday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 11:00
Performance by the Arco de São Jorge Philharmonic Band
18:00
Performance by the Santana Municipal Band Folk Area 15:00
Performance by Associação Tradições de Gaula – TRAGA Concert Stage 21:00
Concert by Diana Duarte
The Choir Festival titled “Christmas in Funchal”, to be held in various churches, presents Christmas Choral Music sung by various choirs from the Region. This is an event organized by Orfeão Madeirense, the oldest Choral Group in Madeira and one of the oldest in Portugal, founded in 1919.
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga
Concert Stage
18 and 20 December
21:00
Cathedral
27 December
21:30
18 December
Wednesday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga
18:00
Performance by the Santa Cruz Municipal Band
19:00
Performance by Tuna Universitária da Madeira Folk Area
11:00
Performance by the Camacha Youth Folklore Group
15:00
Performance by the Quinta Grande Folklore
Cultural and Recreational Group
Concert Stage 21:00
Orfeão Festival
19 December
Thursday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 15:00
Performance by the Câmara de Lobos Orchestral Band – Os Infantes 22:00
Performance by Borracheiros Folk Area 11:00
Performance by the Gaula Community Centre Folklore Group 18:00
Performance by Grupo de Romarias Antigas do Rochão
Concert Stage 21:00
Concert by Going Back
20 December
Friday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 11:00
Performance by the Paulense Municipal Band 19:00
Performance by Camachofones Folk Area
15:00
Performance by Associação Tradições de Gaula – TRAGA 18:00
Performance by the Porto da Cruz Folklore Group
Concert Stage 21:00
Orfeão Festival
22 December
Sunday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 11:00
Performance by the Funchal District Band –Os Guerrilhas Folk Area 15:00
Performance by the Camacha Community Centre Folklore Group Concert Stage 18:00
Concert by the Jazz Quartet with Madalena Caldeira 21:00
Concert by André Abrantes
21 December
Saturday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 15:00
Performance by the Câmara de Lobos Orchestral Band – Os Infantes Folk Area 11:00
Performance by Associação Tradições de Gaula – TRAGA
Concert Stage 18:00
Concert by XMAS Project 21:00
Concert by Luxband
23 December
Monday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 15:00
Performance by the Caniço and Eiras Philharmonic Band Folk Area 11:00
Performance by the Camacha Youth Folklore Group
Concert Stage 18:00
Concert by J’s & the Queen 21:00
Concert by Thelma Fénix
23:00 – 01:00
DJ WAGA
24 December
Tuesday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 11:00
Performance by the Faial Philharmonic Band Folk Area
15:00
Performance by the Santana Community Centre Folklore Group
Concert Stage 16:00
Concert by Isabel Gonçalves 4tet
26 December
Thursday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 14:00
Performance by Borracheiros Folk Area 11:00
Performance by Grupo de Romarias Antigas do Rochão Concert Stage 18:00
Concert by the Joves Band “Sing Christmas” 21:00
Concert by the Bruna Band
28 December
Saturday
27 December
Friday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga Folk Area
11:00
Performance by the Campanário Community Centre Folklore Group
Concert Stage 15:00
Christmas Workshop – New Year’s Eve Cocktails – Madeira Barmen Association
18:00
Concert by Desdobramento
21:00
Concert by Xarabanda
1 4
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 11:00
Performance by the Funchal Municipal Band – Artistas Funchalenses Folk Area
15:00
Performance by the Camacha Youth Folklore Group
Concert Stage 18:00
Concert by the Rocky Shore Melodies Band 21:00
Concert by the Pedro Freitas Band
23:00 – 01:00 DJ WAGA
Baltazar Dias Municipal Theatre
18:00
With Music for the New Year: A Latin Party
Concert by the association Amigos do Conservatório de Música da Madeira
29
to 31December
End of Year Entertainment
Praça do Povo
29 December
21:30 – 00:00
30 December
21:00 – 02:00
31 December
21:00 – 03:00
At the end of the year, Madeira becomes a stage for music entertainment, with Funchal as the epicenter of the festivities. Praça do Povo is the meeting point, with entertainment promoted by the Cultural, Sports and Recreational Association – Avesso, offering shows and live performances during “New Year’s Eve”. This vibrant location welcomes residents and tourists alike, providing entertainment and a privileged view of the fireworks display.
30 December
Monday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 18:00
Performance by the Funchal Municipal Band – Artistas Funchalenses Folk Area 11:00
Performance by the Santo António Cultural Centre Folklore Group 15:00
29 December
Sunday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 15:00
Performance by the Santana Municipal Band Folk Area 11:00
Performance by the Campanário Community Centre Folklore Group
Concert Stage
18:00
Concert by the Fajã da Ovelha String Group 21:00
Concert by Maya Blandy
Praça do Povo
21:30 and 23:30
Street Animation – Adamastor 22:00
Street Animation – Jumbo Colours
Concert by Brado
Performance by the Monteverde Folklore Group
Concert Stage 21:00
Concert by the Walking Grooves
00:00 – 02:00 DJ WAGA
Baltazar Dias Municipal Theatre 18:00
With Music for the New Year! –“Gershwiniana”
Praça do Povo 21:00
Street Animation – Aurora 21:30
Concert by INLAY Trio 22:00
Street Animation – Jumbo Colours 22:30
Concert by Spot the Difference 00:00
DJ Remember the 80s & 90s Fever
December
Tuesday
1 9
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 11:00
Performance by the Rochão Folklore Group 15:00
Performance by Borracheiros
Concert Stage 16:00
Concert by Banda D’Além 19:00
Concert by the Miguel Pires Trio
Praça do Povo
21:00
Concert by Alexandra Barbosa Trio
22:00
Street Animation – Jumbo Colours
22:30
Concert byThe Peakles
00:30
DJ Pedro Pestana
Countdown to the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show 23:40
The last 20 minutes before 00:00 of 2025 will be enlivened by a great show taking place in the Funchal Pier, as a countdown to midnight. This pyrotechnic and audiovisual show, which includes projections from the ground alternating with lasers and innovative light elements, will create dances of light in the sky, among other surprise effects, whilst leading spectators into the New Year.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show
Funchal | Porto Santo
00:00
Eight minutes of the fireworks show welcome 2025. This turn of the year counts on a total of 59 fireworks stations located in the Funchal amphitheatre (27), between Pier 8 and Praia Almirante Reis (25), at sea (5) and Porto Santo Island (2).
This majestic spectacle of light and colour, with pyrotechnic effects which combine the most modern designs, will present effects never seen on New Year’s Eve in the Region, a show which in 2006 was internationally recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as “The Biggest Fireworks Display in the World”.
02 January
Thursday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga
15:00
Performance by the Ribeira Brava Municipal Band Folk Area
18:00
Performance by the Ribeira Brava Community Centre Folklore Group Concert Stage 21:00
Concert by Banda 3D
03 January
Friday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga Concert Stage 15:00
Christmas Workshop – Bolo Rei (Kings Cake) – Doce Cereja
18:00
Concert by Trio New Sounds
21:00
Concert by Seis po’Meia Dúzia
04 January
Saturday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 15:00
Performance by the São Lourenço da Camacha Parish Band Folk Area 11:00
Performance by the São Martinho Folklore Cultural and Recreational Group
Concert Stage 18:00
Concert by the Funchal Cathedral Choir 21:00
Concert by Beatriz Caboz
05 January
Sunday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga
11:00
Performance by Banda de Recreio Camponês
Folk Area
15:00
Performance by the Rochão Folklore Group
Concert Stage
18:00
Concert by Sandra Dória
21:00
Concert by the Black Dog Blues Band
Praça do Povo
19:00
Chants of the Epiphany
On the 5th of January, at 7 pm, the Epiphany hymns are sung at Praça do Povo, in a concert open to the public which revives this Madeiran tradition. The arrival of the Three Kings is celebrated on the 6th of January, and tradition has it that it be celebrated with the famous Bolo-Rei (Kings Cake), which contains a broad bean and a small gift inside. According to tradition, those lucky to receive the slice which contains the broad bean, will have to buy the cake the following year, and those who get the gift will have to buy the drinks, thus keeping to tradition year after year.
06 January
Monday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 15:00
Performance by the Machico Municipal Band Folk Area 18:00
Performance by Grupo de Folclore Romarias e Tradições da Camacha Concert Stage 21:00
Concert by Os 4 da Ilha
07 January
Tuesday
Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga 18:00
Performance by the Faial Philharmonic Band Folk Area 15:00
Performance by the Monteverde Folklore Group Concert Stage 21:00
Concert by the Sofia Petito Bossa Flavours
