2015
Events - December
Christmas and New Year Festivities| Funchal
December 8th to January 6th
In Madeira, Christmas and New Year celebrations enclose a program filled with a variety of religious, ethnographic
and artistic events that fill the down town area of Funchal with joy, music, colour and light.
The beginning of the Christmas and New Year festivities program include an array of entertaining activities which
culminates with the spectacular New Year's fireworks display at the amphitheatre of the Funchal bay, an event which
has been officially recognized by the Guinness book of Records in 2006 as the largest firework display in the world.
Some of the highlights of this program are:
From December 8th to January 6th, 2016 – General turning on of Funchal amphitheatre Christmas lights and
Christmas exhibitions in Funchal's downtown area
December 23rd – “Night at the Farmers' Market” (Mercado dos Lavradores)
December 28th – “St. Sylvester’s Race” – Tour of the city of Funchal
December 31st – New Year’s Eve fireworks display
January, 5th 2016 – “Twelfth Night Songs” – Funchal Municipal Garden
Follow up more detailed information regarding this important tourist event at: www.visitmadeira.pt
Madeira Dig Festival | Ponta do Sol and Calheta
December 4th to 7th
The Ponta do Sol Inn and the Mudas - Contemporary Art Museum, in Calheta, will host the Madeira Dig Festival, an
important cultural event that aims to promote Madeira Islands both as an attractive tourist destination ideal for
promoting international cultural events. This festival is a unique event within the world of contemporary music
designed to a young and more active segment.
Both internationally and nationally acclaimed artists and DJs will be taking part in the 2015 edition, such as the group
Rashad Becker & Eli Keszler (US), Thomas Brinkmann (DE), Klara Lewis (SE), amongst others.
For more detailed information go to: http://madeiradig.com
5th Madeira Micro International Film Festival | Ponta do Sol
December, 9th to 12th
Between December 9th to 12th, Madeira will host 5th edition of the Madeira Micro International Film Festival an
event dedicated to screening films which will take place at Cine Sol Ponta de Sol.
Various organizations such as Estalagem da Ponta do Sol premises and the European cultural marketing company
Digital Berlin, will take part in this festival, which will also include workshops. This cinematographic festival, held in
partnership with other organizations, such as the Estalagem da Ponta do Sol and the European cultural marketing
company Digital Berlin, will also include some workshops. This film festival intends not only to promote cultural
tourism in Madeira but also to restore and protect the municipality’s urban heritage.
More information at: http://mmiff.com
www.visitmadeira.pt
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2015
Events - December
10th 'Madeira Traditional Delicacies' Exhibition | Boaventura
December, 12th to 13th
The village of Fajã do Penedo, located in the parish of Boaventura, in the municipality of São Vicente, hosts this
gastronomic event with the purpose of promoting Madeira´s typical Christmas traditions and culinary delicacies.
This popular festivity is held with the purpose of promoting Madeira culinary and ethnographic traditions and in
particular the islands local Christmas gastronomic delicacies, such as liqueurs, corn bread, and cakes.
There will be also musical entertainment with the participation of several folk groups.
8th Edition -Raposeira Avalanche | Fajã da Ovelha
December, 13th
This is a spectacular Mountain Bike race that will take place in Fajã da Ovelha, in one of the most amazing and
breathtaking circuits of the Madeira island, presenting a downhill accessible track.
The 2015 Raposeira Avalanche takes place on a section of dirt track with about 7.92 Km of clocked stretch.
Promoted by the Madeira Cycling Association and the Municipal Council of Calheta, this event will include the
National Downhill Champion, the madeiran Emanuel Pombo.
For further detailed information go to: http://www.avalancheraposeira.com
Childbirth Masses
December, 16th to 24th
From 16th to 24th December, Madeira celebrates one of its main Christmas traditions: the Childbirth Masses.
Throughout the Region, these nine Masses announce the Birth of Jesus, accompanied by Catholic hymns sung by
local choirs.
At the end of the Masses, people gather in the churchyards for the traditional ‘food and beverages’ offered to those
present.
These masses are celebrated at dawn, around six o'clock in the morning.
Night at the Market – Farmers Market| Funchal
December, 23rd
December, 23rd is the official day for Madeirans to make their traditional Christmas shopping’s in a ritual that takes
thousands to the streets of the Farmers Market in Funchal.
It is the perfect day to visit the market and get to know and buy all types of local products: fruits, vegetables, flowers,
sweets and typical Christmas beverages.
The market and the bars around it stay open all night making it one of the longest and most fun-filled nights of the
year in Funchal.
In this contagious buzz, which also appeals to many visitors, it is noticeable the true spirit of the “festivity”.
www.visitmadeira.pt
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2015
Events - December
57th Tour of the city of Funchal – St. Sylvester’s Race | Funchal
December 28th
Promoted by the Madeira Athletics Association, the Tour of the City of Funchal is considered one of the oldest races
of its kind in Portugal and Europe, a sports competition that has attracted several national and international athletes
to the island, bringing lots of adrenaline to the downtown area of the island’s capital.
For more information regarding the events official programme and registrations go to the official website:
http://www.atletismomadeira.pt
www.visitmadeira.pt
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