Feast of St Amaro

14 - 15 January

This is one of the most important religious feasts of Santa Cruz Council District, for which a traditional local feast is held. It symbolically ends the Christmas festivities.

Carnival

17 - 20 February

A two-week period filled with revelry and festivities, as the whole island celebrates with parties, music, dance and colourful parades.

Flower Festival

21 - 22 April

This festival of Madeira is its biggest draw, with street parades and floats, music and dance, exhibits and shows, all covered with the sight and scent of the island’s flowers.

Atlantic Fireworks Festival

1 - 30 June

Sky-blossoms of every colour and size delight the spectator during this festival.

Day of the Region

1 July

This event celebrates Madeira’s establishment of political autonomy, enshrined in the Constitution of Portugal.

Our Lady of Monte Feast

14 August

Considered the most important religious festival, this feast day is celebrated by both Madeira’s populace and their kinsmen around the world.

Wine Festival

31 August - 2 September

The festival marks the beginning of the grape harvest throughout the island, and harkens back to the days of the country’s earliest settlers, who first planted the vineyards.

Regional Meeting of Bands

13 October

The regional bands gather in Ribeira Brava to compete for the year’s title and take part in the citywide celebrations after the event.

End of Year Festivities

24 December - 1 January

Throughout the Christmas and New Year season, there are fireworks, parades, shows, parties and other events to mark the birth of Christ, the end of the old year and the coming of the new.