On the eve of the 6th of January it is tradition friends joining in groups and singing Epiphany's songs at the doors of other friends. In order to emphasize such traditions Ponta do Sol council has organized some groups to sing to Epiphany, as the last day of Christmas, in the village center before going to their friends and family houses.

MadeiraHelp team has been there and has recorded and compiled this festivities to show Madeira traditions at its best to the world. We want to preserve the best of Madeira - its people and traditions! Have a look and enjoy!

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

Madeira is already celebrating Christmas! The childbirth masses, in portuguese "missas do parto", started on the 15th of December and many people is waking up very early to go to these special celebrations.

In Nazaré, a parish of Funchal, on the first of the nine childbirth masses they blessed Baby Jesus. These celebrations are always accompanied by chorus and people really feel the joy and friendship of Christmas.

The edge of Madeira New Year's celebrations is the fantastic fireworks show in Funchal amphitheatre. Already a world's guiness record this show is one of the greatest attractions to Madeira Island as a tourism destination. This year the regional government will spend 1.2 million euros on the New Year's fireworks show.

5 cruise ships are already confirmed to spend the New Years Fireworks in Madeira sea where the show is best contemplated. Hotels usually get full and around midnight, on the 31st of December Funchal bay gets crowded with small twinkling lights as many boats go out to enjoy the fantastic fireworks and begin a new year with a celebration spirit.

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