Madeira is already experiencing the Christmas feeling on its streets, specially downtown Funchal.

Christmas illuminations have lighten up on the 23rd of November 2007 and each day more decorations are being put on until the 30th of November. On the 1st of December everything will be already prepared to celebrate Christmas in Madeira, traditionally called "A FESTA" which means "The feast".

In the past Christmas was the only big celebration which all Madeira people joined, this is why it is called "A Festa" as there were no other celebration like this one. It would start early in December with the pig's killing, then people would build the traditional Christmas scene on their homes and parishes and, on the 16th of December, the childhood masses "Missas do Parto" in portuguese, would wake up everyone very early to join processions towards the church.

These are some traditions that one might still see on Madeira rural areas. The Feast would last until the 6th of January, the Epiphany's Day.