Finally the rain has stopped for the last day of 2008 and strong winds have also calmed down! After a stormy week it seems Madeira people and visitants will have safe weather for one of the most beautiful New Years Fireworks Show.

And for those who did not have the opportunity this year to assist to this magical show, MadeiraHelp team will transmit live on-line this amazing event.

So, if you wish to toast to the 2009 with Madeira New Years Fireworks show as a background, just wait for the mid-night bells (Madeira time = GMT) and click "play" below!

Update: 1256 users watched the 10 minutes Firework Show... Thank you all for watching the 2009 Live Broadcast.

Christmas in Madeira has been very wet but lights all around make Madeira a unique Christmas scene!

From the 3rd to the 11th of November 2008 Madeira Island will held the 11th International Bridge Open Madeira. This event attracted 300 participants which will play for the €27,500 prize money. Organized by Madeira Sports Club this Bridge Open has the following programme:

November 3rd
At 6:30 pm - Welcoming cocktail
At 9:30 pm - Warm up pairs

November 4th, 5th and 6th
Starting at 4:30 pm - Open pairs

November 7th, 8th and 9th
Starting at 3 pm and at 9 pm - Open Teams

Yesterday was the last day of the presence of Tall Ships in Funchal. These festivities ended with a ships parade along Funchal bay. Nice sailing moments to remember...

Madeira Wine Festival is held in September during the grape harvest, recalling the population’s old customs since the island was first settled.

Câmara de Lobos is the capital of Madeira Wine festival, with events such as live grape harvest, picker's parade, grapes treading and the whole ritual of a typical Madeira popular festivity. In Funchal downtown there are also some folk shows related to traditional wine-making.

Madeira Wine Festival Programme

4th to 30th September
Exhibition: Madeira Wine - Tradition, Personalities and Celebration.
At InfoArt galery at Madeira Tourism Board building - Funchal

2nd to 6th September
From 9 pm to 11 pm - V European Folk Dancing Week - with group's performances from Spain, Norway, Venezuela, Australia, Russia, United Kingdom, mainland Portugal and the Folk Dancing and Ethnographic Group of Boa Nova and Group of Castanholas da Casa do Povo da Tabúa.
At Municipal Garden Auditorium - Funchal

4th to 7th September
From 6:30 pm to 11 pm - Philharmonic Bands and Traditional Folk Dancing Groups performances
Ethnographic and painting exhibitions combined with a diversity of lively entertainment:

• “Open Air Wine Cellar” - Panel in front of the Cathedral
• “Dancing with Wine” - Panel in front of João Gonçalves Zarco statue
• “Max Romer and Madeira Wine" - Panel in front of Tourism Board building
• “Fine Grape Varieties, Wine and Water”- North garden of S. Lourenço Palace
• “Art with Madeira Wine”- Panel in front of Funchal Municipal Theatre
• “Mister Wine”- Panel in front of Loja do Cidadão

At Avenida da Arriaga - Funchal

Madeira Wine exhibition and wine tasting.
At Largo da Restauração

6th September
9 am - Live Wine Harvest
Grape harvest at Quinta da Pinheira, followed by an ethnographic parade with the following route: Rua António Vitorino Castro Jorge, Rua da Igreja, Largo do Patim, Alameda do Mercado and Praça do Mercado, where the stepping of the grapes will take place with musical entertainment and regional gastronomy.
At Estreito de Câmara de Lobos

7th September
8pm - 1st Madeira Wine Cocktail Festival 2008 - by Madeira Barmen Association
At Avenida Arriaga

Source: Madeira Tourism Board - September Newsletter