The month of December can be a very busy one … especially for those who are preparing for the holidays festivities and Madeiran traditions. One of these traditions is the Presépio …. which is set up starting from 8th of December. It is the Christmas Nativity with all the usual Read more…
Missa do parto (Childbirth Mass) is one of the religious mass celebrations that takes place in most churches on the Madeira Island. It is a Christmas tradition that starts nine days (novena) before Christmas. Each day of those nine days represents a month of the pregnancy of the Virgin Mary, Read more…
I will never forget my first Christmas on Madeira. On that evening I have met a beautiful and very elegant lady. She had an exquisite gala dress. An evening dress that was embroidered with millions of colored pearls that all lit-up in the dark. The lady her name was … Read more…
The city of Funchal transforms itself into a life-size nativity scene. It is Christmas Time on Madeira Island! The streets are decorated with millions of lights …. in all sizes and colors. They evoke images of the seasonal symbolism. The city has put on her evening gala dress with lights Read more…
Some of the native ceremonies on fête days are peculiarly interesting. I recollect well the Christmas I spent in Madeira. It was a beautiful day; the birds chirped merrily in the gardens and the bright rays of the sun beamed radiantly in through the half-opened windows of the little English Read more…
Noite do Mercado (Night of the Market) is a traditional celebration in Funchal that will take place tonight and will last all night long. The location of this event will take place in the famous Funchal market (Mercado dos Lavradores) and the streets surrounding the market. It will be crowded Read more…
Strange title … but it’s true. Madeira Diving School Tubarão Madeira came with the idea to place and decorate a Christmas tree on the sea bed.
They prepared the tree in a way that it was easy to place it under the water. The Christmas balls were filled with water in order not to drift off. This initiative was not only a surpirse for the visitors that were diving in the area …. but also for the fish who were not used to this human tradition … although some daredevils went nibbling on the balls.
The tree will stay underneath the ocean until the New Year and …. they will repeat this new tradition in the same site next year.
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Christmas on Madeira is a period of intense activity, especially the tourism. Christmas is the period with apparent prosperity … were everyone allows themselves a little extra. Following photos were taken by Virgilio Silva:
Wind Birds has filmed the 2009 first display of Funchal’s Christmas Lights.
A video (10 min.) filmed by Gil Santos, that shows Funchal at this time of year. It gives you a little idea of how Funchal dresses up, showing its visitors the sights, sounds and spirit of Christmas and New Year.
The preparations for the Christmas and end-of-year celebrations are in full progress at this moment. The official opening of the New Year’s Eve Festivities in Madeira will take place on the 27th of November (Friday). If you do not want to miss this then you need to be in the Read more…
The entrance of the New Year (2008) will be welcomed with a spectacular 8km extension of the revellion (fireworks) in Funchal, city of Madeira Islands. The lady-capital will fire up the sky with all its colors and lights that are now weaved in her evening gala-dress. Each year we have Read more…
From this week-end and until the 24th of December, in almost all parishes of the Diocese of Funchal is the celebrated “Missas do Parto” (Masses of childbirth), a religious heritage that is experienced by the parish communities, through songs and events. Despite a tradition of being secular, the “Childbirth Masses” Read more…
It is getting to be a tradition each year to produce a video of the Christmas scene here on Madeira …
Together with my Dutch friend Marcel we went driving up to Funchal. While he was driving I filmed some of the Xmas scenery on the way. I must confess that the film does not represent the true image of what we saw …. which is the thousands and thousands of lights …. everywhere.
I invite anyone who is staying on Madeira to produce similar movie of the Christmas atmosphere and share it with us. Also feel free to put this video on your own website. (more…)
On this day, the main streets in the centre of Funchal will be invaded by lights of all sizes and colours to produce designs that are very representative of the island’s symbology and the time of year. One week later, on 30 November, the outskirts of Funchal will also be lit up transforming Funchal into a real, life-size “nativity scene”.
In early December, the squares are decked with flowers. Poinsettias, holly and lady’s slipper orchids all help to brighten up the city’s streets. And then there are the Christmas carols ringing out in all the streets as if by magic inspiring everyone with the festive spirit. The streets fill with people in this atmosphere of great joy. Some are here to do their Christmas shopping, while others just want to enjoy the holiday buzz and atmosphere emanating throughout the city.
Source: Madeira Island Tourism (more…)
It is almost the end of the month October and we are about to change all the clocks to the new wintertime (one hour back). However I doubt now seriously …. is it one hour back? or is it one month ahead? The reason I am asking this is because Read more…
Funchal the capital of the Madeira Island has achieved to register a Guinness World Record with its pyrotechnic exhibition, which involved 17 tons of fireworks … that caused 660,300 detonations … 8,000 explosions per minute … over an area of 6 km by 2.7 km wide … more than 8 Read more…
For those who can not see the Christmas lights this year on the island of Madeira … we offer you as a small consolation the next days some images (photos and films) of last plus this year illuminations.
The following video was taken last year. A terrific view of the gala-dress that the city of Funchal is wearing during the New Year’s Eve.
The lady capital of the island Madeira (Portugal) displays her with lights embroider dress, awaiting the countdown for the fireworks.
This was filmed aboard the catamaran and the music is performed by the band … The Madeira.
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Yesterday I went to Funchal in the evening and took some pictures of the Christmas lights (… of course I contemplated and enjoyed it first before I took the pictures). This year there are more and new styles of lights (more colorful and refined) on the streets, squares, piers, boulevards, Read more…
This year the big event is the official opening ceremony of the Christmas illuminations, which takes place on 17 November, near the Sé Cathedral at around 9h00 pm.
For those who can not wait for the official ceremony of the Christmas illuminations that will place on 17th of November ….. you can search for images or videos taken last year(s) by visitors of the island.
How to look for?
Simply look for ‘Madeira Funchal Christmas’ in (for example) www.flickr.com
Or search for ‘madeira christmas’ at www.youtube.com