The city of Funchal pays homage to its Patron, St James the Less, every year on the 1st of May. The Old Town of Funchal and particularly Santa Maria Street and Corpo Santo Square experience a special kind of revelry, in a party depicting a typical Madeira arraial.

St James the Less is the Patron Saint and the Health Guardian of Funchal. Since 1538, when authorities handed over the guard of the city’s inhabitants health to St James the Less, there has been the upholding of the tradition of honouring the saint with the Voto da Cidade Procession, which parades through the streets of Funchal's Old Town up to Socorro Church.

Together with this event, a popular festivity also takes place throughout the Old Town: Corpo Santo Square, Santa Maria Street and the surrounding areas are particularly bedecked for this calebration which brings to special animation to this location lasting 4 days.

Source: Madeira Tourism Board