On hot June days, it's time to enjoy good music, and preferably in the open air. The event, called Festival do Atlântico, lasts throughout the month and consists of several elements that take place in different parts of the island, as well as in Porto Santo.
"Summer Sunsets" on Praça do Povo is an initiative that takes place every day from late afternoon onwards. Organised courtesy of regional artists, live concerts, terrace tables are filled with locals and local cuisine and a relaxed atmosphere, ending with unique sunsets. During the Atlântico Festival, a stroll along the central street of Avenida Arriaga can become an enriching cultural experience. This is because, for one week, handmade works by students from schools in the region are on display. Regional Art Week is an initiative that not only adorns public spaces with its artistic expression, but also showcases its musical, dance and theatrical talent. During these days, hundreds of pupils from different schools can present themselves on a street stage. In a month when the performing arts move from the concert halls to the streets for everyone to enjoy, the Circus Arts Show at Praça do Povo is an integral part of Madeira's Atlantic Festival celebrations. Every year, artists come together to present avant-garde performances, acrobatics and music for a weekend, combining elements of earth, water, air and fire. Add to this a dose of contemporary technology and we are presented with an unforgettable show.
Enjoy exploring Madeira individually or in groups.
If you are considering a trip to Madeira, be sure to include at least one of the events outlined above in your itinerary. These are unique and unforgettable experiences that should not be missed if you are visiting the island at this time. In Funchal, each of these events is not just a celebration, it is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the heart and soul of Madeira's culture, landscape and its hospitality. Whether you are exploring the mountains or the azure waters of the Atlantic, the events in the heart of the city promise not only great memories, delights for the palate, but show the city as a vibrant and joyful place that brings people of all ages together in a spirit of unity and inclusion. So don't miss this wonderful opportunity to take part in one of these festive and joyful celebrations.
Appreciating the beauty of the coming spring, Madeira shows the world what it holds most beautifully in its resources, an explosion of colours and scents. Spring in Madeira awakens to life with great enthusiasm and the flowers emerge lush, colourful, fragrant and are the queens, of this spectacle. They abound not only in the countryside, but also in the city's gardens and parks and on the streets of Funchal. Thanks to this rich variety of beautiful flora, the island became known over time as the 'Floating Garden', or 'Ilha das Flores'. The festival in honour of the flowers began to be celebrated in the middle of the last century and symbolises renewal, hope and transformation. The 'Festa da Flor' flower festival, as it is referred to, is an event that attracts tourists from all over the world and is a tribute to the abundance of flowers that adorn the island. For several weeks Funchal smells of flowers. The festivities begin on the first Saturday, when thousands of children flock to the Praça do Município to take part in the construction of the colourful, floral Wall of Hope 'Muro da Esperança'. Hundreds of children add colourful flowers to the green natural wall, a sign of hope for a better world. Then the sky above Funchal is decorated for a moment by a flight of white doves, and this symbolism is followed by musical and theatrical performances. Madeira artists dedicate themselves, creating unforgettable floral carpets strategically placed in the streets and organise window decoration competitions. A unique event is the vibrant Grand Allegorical Flower Parade, filled with spring colours, music and scents, held on the first Sunday of the festivities along Avenida do Mar. This allegorical flower procession, is a flower garden in motion, with thousands of participants full of creativity in beautiful costumes referring to flowers, also joined by floats decorated with many species of plants. Around the middle of the month, the Madeira Flower Classic Auto Parade 'Madeira Car Parade' takes place, combining the beauty of classic cars from the region with the beauty, simplicity, vitality and charm of floral compositions. This automotive animation, full of colour and beauty performed by classic vehicles and several musical groups and hundreds of extras dressed in costumes inspired by the flowers of Madeira, is much appreciated by locals as well as tourists. A mixture of aromas, magic and the magic of nature that is not to be missed. Nature is often the starting point of artistic creations and to prove this, the Madeira Flower Collection was created on an island where nature is omnipresent. An event that promotes regional fashion, involving a large number of creators who draw inspiration from the flower, creating a contemporary micro-collection in which the symbol of the flower appears again and again in their proposals. The Madeira Flower collection takes place in the beautiful gardens of Quinta Magnolia, combining fashion, nature and flowers into the perfect trio. On the last weekend of the Flower Festival celebrations, the 'Madeira Classic Car Revival' is organised by the Classic Car Club, an exhibition open to all, taking place on Praça do Povo, in the heart of the city centre in a festive atmosphere of entertainment, extras dressed in period costumes and the best, most elegant vintage and classic vehicles in the region.
The Madeira Music Festival is dedicated to art music and opera, featuring Portuguese and international performers, and in conjunction with the International Pyrotechnics Competition, in which participants from many countries compete to create the most spectacular displays. It is an extraordinary sight to behold! Every year, pyrotechnic companies from three different countries compete against each other, with Portugal joining in honourably. This allows the public to enjoy fireworks combined with music, every Saturday in June and with performances by several local philharmonic orchestras. The Atlantic Festival shows create a dazzling twenty-minute visual and aural experience for which we are all eyes and ears.
July is a month of vibrant music and culture that brings a relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere. Since 2000, the city has been filled with the sounds of the Funchal Jazz Festival, which hosts annually on its open-air stage, world-renowned musicians including Esperanza Spalding, Cassandre Wilson or Arturo Sandaval, as well as local talent and jazz lovers from around the world, offering an eclectic mix of sounds. The main stage, of the event, is located in Santa Catarina Park against the backdrop of the bay of Funchal, where several concerts are held. In parallel, smaller live jazz events take place at the Jardim Muncipial Auditorium, such as concerts, exhibitions and film sessions, as well as workshops led by some invited musicians. The jazz season is an important part of Funchal's cultural scene with a loyal audience and an important role in promoting Madeira.
Late summer and early autumn is the wine harvest season, so the Festival Wines da Madeira usually takes place at the end of August or the beginning of September at several venues in the centre of Funchal, gathering crowds of tourists and locals. The event celebrates Madeira's rich wine tradition, known worldwide for its excellent quality. The programme usually includes tastings of Madeira wines, local cuisine, folklore shows and public performances by philharmonic ensembles, as well as events paying tribute to Madeira's wine, harvest and related cultural traditions on the streets of Funchal, as well as at vineyards and wineries in rural areas.
The Festival of Nature takes place throughout the Madeira archipelago and aims to promote the enjoyment of nature tourism and the practice of activities in direct contact with nature, gastronomy, wine tourism and music. This festival is a tribute to the dedication to natural heritage, including the laurel forest, descending from mountain peaks along the northern coast, cycling along forest paths and exploring Madeira's cultural and historical roots. Nature is the motto of this initiative and an opportunity to discover the best places on the island, from the sea to the mountain tops, while trying different sports and physical activities.
The first celebrations of the year mark the joyful anticipation of the arrival of spring. The people of Funchal intensely experience Carnival, one of the city's biggest tourist attractions. The festivities begin with the Solidarity Carnival and the Children's Carnival, where participants dressed in costume, especially children, gather on Avenida Arriaga, one of the city's main streets, to show off their costumes and take part in the festivities. The Grand Parade of Allegories is the main staging known for its huge event, during which thousands of costumed people parade on elaborate platforms adorned with decorations, party in the streets, dancing choreographed routines and singing to the rhythm of traditional live music, evoking Rio Carnival. Carnival in Madeira starts in the centre of Funchal and then proceeds through the streets of the city to the Praça do Município for the grand finale. As well as parades and performances, the carnival also includes food stalls with local delicacies and numerous carnival-themed events and activities for everyone. In the following days, it's time for the "Cortejo Trapalhão" Parade of the Clumsy, open to all those who want to take part in this costume extravaganza and make fun of everyday life. This fun and carefree parade includes comical platforms and performers dressed in humorous costumes. It's a great opportunity for people of all ages to get together and have a great time together during a joyful carnival.
Madeira is famous for its wide range of all kinds of local events, festivals, celebrations and major world events that take place throughout the year. Particularly in Funchal, where every season here is marked by traditional celebrations, music festivals, entertainment and cultural events of all kinds. A trip to Funchal will ensure, each month, a joyful celebration. The following cyclical events, such as Carnival, the Festival of Flowers, the Atlantic Festival, the Madeira Wine Festival and the Madeira Nature Festival, are the most popular with tourists and locals alike.
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