What to do this summer in Madeira and Porto Santo | News
In addition to its year-round sunshine and dramatic landscapes, Madeira is home to a diverse calendar of events that celebrates the culture, traditions and flavors of the archipelago. Here, Visit Madeira highlights five events taking place in Madeira and Porto Santo between June and September.
Atlantic Festival
When: June 5 to 28
Now celebrating its 20th edition, Madeira’s Atlantic Festival returns in June and marks the start of the island’s summer events programme. Best known for its international fireworks competition, the festival sees the sky above Funchal illuminated every Saturday evening by shows choreographed to music. In addition to the fireworks, visitors can enjoy a program of concerts, street performances, multimedia shows and open-air cultural events taking place all over the island.
https://visitmadeira.com/en/whats-on/events/atlantic-festival/
Madeira Gastronomic Festival – SAL
When: July 10 to 19
The Madeira Gastronomic Festival – SAL (Sabores do Atlântico) showcases the rich culinary traditions of the archipelago through a program of food-focused events around eight of Madeira’s signature products: couscous, chícharo (peas), shellfish, fish, monastery sweets, fruits, tubers and bread. Taking place at Funchal’s Praça do Povo against a vibrant coastal backdrop, the festival combines gastronomy, music and local traditions, celebrating the ingredients and flavors that define Madeira’s food culture.
https://eventsmadeira.com/en/event/madeira-gastronomic-festival-sal/
Classics at Magnolia
When: July 25 and 26
Classics at Magnolia brings together a collection of classic and vintage vehicles, some over 100 years old, in the picturesque setting of Quinta Magnólia. The event celebrates Madeira’s automotive heritage and offers visitors a glimpse into the history, design and craftsmanship of these historic vehicles. Period-inspired displays and entertainment add to the nostalgic atmosphere, making it a popular event for car enthusiasts and those interested in automotive history.
https://visitmadeira.com/en/whats-on/events/classics-at-magnolia/
Madeira wine festival
When: August 23 to September 13
The Madeira Wine Festival is held during the grape harvest season and celebrates one of the island’s most iconic and internationally acclaimed products: Madeira wine. The festival takes place throughout Funchal, including the Madeira Wine Lounge in Praça do Povo, as well as in vineyards and wine-producing regions across the island. The festival features traditional grape harvests, wine tastings and folkloric performances, celebrating more than 400 years of wine-growing heritage.
https://visitmadeira.com/en/whats-on/events/wine-festival/
Columbus Festival
When: September 17 to 20
Porto Santo, Madeira’s smaller sister island, is known for its golden sands and tranquil beauty and hosts the Columbus Festival, celebrating Christopher Columbus’s connection to the island and his role in the Age of Discovery. For four days, Vila Baleira is transformed into a living stage from the 15th century, with locals in traditional costume filling the streets with theater, acrobatics, live music and colorful processions, while a recreated historic market invites visitors to experience the atmosphere of another era. The festival is one of the archipelago’s most emblematic cultural celebrations.
https://visitmadeira.com/en/whats-on/events/columbus-festival/
For more information about what to do in Madeira, visit: https://visitmadeira.com/en/whats-on/
