Experience the Best of Madeira: Events and Gastronomy

The island of Madeira, a hidden gem in the middle of the Atlantic, is known for its breathtaking landscapes, mild climate, and rich culture. However, this oceanic pearl is not just a natural paradise; it's also a hub of festivals and events that celebrate its history, traditions, and, above all, its unique flavors. Hush Hush Madeira is delighted to present an annual calendar filled with gastronomic and cultural experiences that showcase the best of Madeira.

Carnival in Madeira – February 7 to 18, 2024

The Madeira Carnival is one of the largest street parties in Europe, evoking the lively spirit of Rio de Janeiro. The celebrations kick off on Saturday with a vibrant parade through the streets of Funchal, featuring the best bands and samba schools in colorful costumes. The festivities continue throughout the week, culminating on Fat Tuesday with the fantastic Cortejo Trapalhão, where the streets are filled with people in incredible costumes. The music is contagious—dress up and join the party!

Anona Festival – Faial, Santana

The Festa da Anona is a traditional festival celebrated in Faial, Santana. This event celebrates one of the most popular fruits in this region. Visitors can enjoy excellent entertainment and attractions, traditional food and drinks.

The Tuna Route Festival  – Vila Baleira Hotel Porto Santo

The Tuna Route Festival on the island of Porto Santo is a celebration of tuna, where visitors can enjoy gastronomic tastings and creative workshops to cook this delicious fish, accompanied by special wines and lots of entertainment.

Trout Festival and Cider Route – Santana

This festival celebrates trout and cider, offering trout fishing competitions, culinary tastings and traditional cooking demonstrations. Despite the unusual combination, this event attracts a wide variety of entertainment to Santana, including regional folk groups, theater and dance performances, and music from local choral groups.

16th Century Market – Machico – June 2nd to 4th

The Mercado Quinhentista de Machico is a journey to the 16th century, celebrating the discovery of Machico. The event features reenactments, horse riding competitions, acrobats, open-air theater and live music. There are also stalls selling medieval gifts and pottery and wicker demonstrations.

Rum Festival – 16th to 21st July 2024

The Rum Festival brings together local rum producers from across the island, allowing residents and tourists to taste the different rums produced in Madeira. Held in the heart of Funchal, this event offers a fascinating insight into the history and production of Madeira rum.

Tuna, Skipjack and Seafood Festival – Caniçal

The Tuna, Skipjack and Seafood Festival is a gastronomic event held in the heart of the parish of Caniçal and organized by local entities to honor the hard work of fishermen. Caniçal, a fishing village and regional tuna hub, celebrates Gaiado, a small type of tuna caught in Madeira that looks delicious after salting and drying in the sun. Enjoy the village's seafood delights, as well as live entertainment and musical shows, during this three-day festival of flavors.

Lapa Festival – Paul do Mar

For three days in July, the Lapa Festival takes place, which pays homage to the limpets harvested on the rocky coasts of Paúl do Mar, a very important delicacy for the local economy. Visitors can admire the splendid sea views while enjoying one of the region's favorite dishes – grilled limpets with butter, garlic and lemon. Simply delicious! Entertainment includes traditional dances, as well as the presence of DJs and live bands.

Essence of Madeira's Wines – August 25 to September 15, 2024

The Madeira Wine Festival takes place during the grape harvest in September, recalling the socioeconomic importance of Madeira Wine and reenacting the island's old traditions. The festival begins in the Estreito de Câmara de Lobos parish, featuring grape picking, grape stomping, and other typical Madeiran traditions celebrated with enthusiasm. In the center of Funchal, the Madeira Wine Festival is marked by light, sound, folklore, and wine-related displays, with stalls offering island gastronomic specialties and typical beverages.

As the Madeira Wine Festivals continue in Funchal until September 15, don't miss the Machico Gastronomic Week on the beach.

Fishermen's Festival – Porta da Cruz

The small village of Porta da Cruz comes to life during its annual Grape and Farmer's Festival, which remains one of the most important cultural events in the parish. The village is famous for its wine production, especially the locally known "dry wine." As with all Madeiran cultural celebrations, the event is grandly celebrated with an exciting parade featuring folk groups, men in traditional costumes, unique floats, and costumed performances. You also have the opportunity to see some genuinely iconic winemaking equipment. And, if that's not enough, there's always the chance to taste some local wine while you have fun.

Harvest Festival live – Estreito de Câmara de Lobos

The Madeira Wine Festival continues on the 10th with live harvest and procession in Estreito de Câmara de Lobo

Harvest Festival – Quinta do Furão

Every September, Quinta do Furão celebrates its traditional harvest festival, creating a wonderful festive environment in which visitors can participate in a variety of events and cultural activities such as harvesting, winemaking and tasting.</p >

Cider Show – Santo da Serra

The Cider Show promotes the island's popular tradition of producing delicious apple cider from fruits grown in the parish of Santo da Serra. This party includes a small procession, which includes the pressing of apples, as well as lots of music and fun activities linked to this agricultural theme.

Sea and Fisherman’s Fair – Caniçal – 13-15 October

Caniçal hosts the Sea and Fisherman's Fair annually, a pleasant gathering that combines leisure, gastronomy, traditional food and drinks and lots of entertainment. This event showcases the social, cultural and economic aspects of the local territory, with a special focus on activities linked to the sea. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of mouth-watering traditional dishes and drinks, whilst enjoying a multitude of entertainment options.

Chestnut Festival – Curral das Freiras – November 1st

On the first day of November, in the parish of Curral das Freiras, homage is paid to the chestnut, which is very abundant in this area. The local population makes the most of this fruit, using it as the main ingredient in countless local recipes, including pastries, soups and liqueurs. The festival reflects the diverse cultural and traditional aspects of this rural area.

Essence of Wine

The Essência do Vinho exhibition brings together local and national winemakers in one of the largest wine exhibitions in Portugal. Held at the iconic Pestana Forum Casino, the event consists of wine tastings, show cooking from renowned chefs, as well as lots of advice, good food and the opportunity to taste some of the best wines Madeira and Portugal have to offer.</p >

Christmas Celebrations – "Birth Mass" – 16 -24 December

Dedicated to the birth of Jesus, this nine-day mass represents the nine months of pregnancy suffered by the Virgin Mary. Celebrations begin at 06:00 on the 16th and end at sunrise on the 24th. As with all essential religious events, the Birth Mass is celebrated extensively across the island. Evidence shows that the first masses were celebrated at the beginning of the 18th century and today, as then, the series of ceremonies plays an essential role in Madeira's religious calendar, as it is a time of deep contemplation and anticipation of the birth of Jesus. That said, there is also a happier side to the event, with hundreds of people gathered outside their churches enjoying local food and drink while listening to live music from traditional regional bands.

Market Night – 23rd

After the nine days of the Birth Mass, Market Night, on the 23rd, is a night of rejoicing, as the Old Town of Funchal transforms into a massive all-night market. The event attracts thousands of residents and tourists to the bustling and busy streets, while shoppers make their last purchases for the next few days, while the streets are full of bars and restaurants trying to enjoy a little of the night eating and drinking while listening to songs from Christmas. Of course, Market night is not complete without trying the Carne de vine d'alhos, a special sandwich made from meat marinated in wine and garlic. It's a time when everyone gets together with friends and family before Christmas, in a small outdoor celebration.

Conclusion

The island of Madeira offers a plethora of gastronomic and cultural events throughout the year, providing a unique opportunity for tourists to explore the island's rich heritage. From wine and rum festivals to celebrations of local cuisine, these events not only tantalize the taste buds but also immerse visitors in Madeira's history and vibrant culture.

Hush Hush Madeira, as a well-established player in the tourism industry, plays a crucial role in assisting tourists visiting the island. With their in-depth local knowledge and a passion for sharing Madeira's wonders, the company is an essential agent to help tourists get to know Madeira better. They provide valuable information about scheduled events and offer personalized experiences that allow visitors to experience Madeira uniquely and authentically.

With the guidance of Hush Hush Madeira, tourists can make the most of these events, exploring the island's culinary secrets, participating in local traditions, and discovering the true spirit of Madeira. The company serves as a bridge between visitors and the island's cultural and gastronomic treasures, making each trip an enriching and unforgettable experience. With their expertise and knowledge, Hush Hush Madeira becomes a trusted partner for those looking to explore all the treasures Madeira has to offer.