{"id":17995,"date":"2016-10-13T10:00:47","date_gmt":"2016-10-13T09:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zestcarrental.com\/blog\/?p=17995"},"modified":"2017-11-01T11:56:09","modified_gmt":"2017-11-01T11:56:09","slug":"winter-madeira","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zestcarrental.com\/blog\/winter-madeira\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter in Madeira: A Season of Festivity."},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re looking for somewhere abroad to get into the festive spirit, then consider winter in Madeira<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Temperatures reach around 18-20 degrees. The climate is pleasant enough for activities such as hiking. Take advantage of the island\u2019s wonderful natural sights and attractions without battling the usual tourist crowd. The sea remains warm enough to swim in, so pack your swimming gear. Be prepared for rain though as November to February are the wettest months. There\u2019s still an average of 6 hours of sun daily so don\u2019t be surprised if you need sunglasses. <\/p>\n

Many seafront bars and restaurants remain open as Madeira proves popular year-round. The Christmas festivities are an attraction in their own right. With this list of festive events, it\u2019s not difficult to see why.<\/p>\n

\"WinterChristmas lights in Funchal Photo by: andreasruf\/Fotolia<\/span><\/p>\n

December<\/h2>\n

8th \u2013 Christmas Lights.<\/strong>
\nThe island\u2019s Christmas lights get officially switched on. These are truly magical; a real rival for those found in big cities worldwide. They stay on until mid-January and help encourage festivities. <\/p>\n

23rd \u2013 Market Night.<\/strong>
\nThis is an all-night festive party. People head to the closed-off streets to buy their final Christmas gifts and for festive food. There\u2019s more celebrations at the Funchal farmers market, Mercado dos Lavradores. Hear live music and watch folklore groups perform. Have a drink at one of the bars that will remain open all night serving traditional Madeiran drinks. Order the tasty traditional Christmas sandwich, carne vinho alhos (pork marinated with wine and garlic) too. <\/p>\n

24th \u2013 Midnight Mass.<\/strong>
\nEvery church on the island will celebrate Missa do Galo, or Rooster\u2019s Mass. The Bishop of Funchal presides over the televised mass at Funchal\u2019s S\u00e9 Cathedral. If you want to attend be sure to arrive early as seats fill up quickly.<\/p>\n

31st- New Year\u2019s Eve.<\/strong>
\nA celebration of the year just finished and a welcome to the year to come. Thousands of tourists enjoy the firework display from the downtown areas or from the seafront. Fireworks are let off from various areas, even the island of Porto Santo. You can see the display from the sea by taking a trip out on one of the many boats on offer from the shore. The display set a record in 2006 in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest fireworks show in the world when it consisted of 66,326 fireworks.
\n<\/br><\/p>\n

January<\/h2>\n

1st January \u2013 The Madeira Plunge<\/a>, Funchal.<\/strong>
\nThis event hasn\u2019t been around that long but is quickly becoming a new tradition for many. People flock to the Ponta Gorda swimming complex to take part in this charity dive. Start the new year with an invigorating swim! Register to take part online.<\/p>\n

5th – Canta os Reis<\/a> (Singing of the Kings), Funchal. <\/strong>
\nOn the Twelfth Night, falling 12 days after Christmas, people gather in groups to roam door to door singing lively carols. Families will take musical instruments to their neighbour\u2019s homes and gather inside to carol. This night of traditional carolling falls in line with the Association of the Casas do Pova\u2019s musical show of the same name. Catch it from 8pm in the Auditorium of the Municipal Garden.<\/p>\n

15th \u2013 Santo Amaro Festival, Santa Cruz. <\/strong>
\nFamilies settle down together for one last festive meal where they eat leftover Christmas food. This is the night decorations and nativity scenes are taken down. Visit the stalls selling local treats and listen to live music. A candlelit procession is held in honour of the patron saint to the Igreja Matriz. <\/p>\n

Festa dos Compadres, Santana.<\/strong>
\nWith a date yet to be confirmed, this 50-year-old event opens up Madeira\u2019s carnival season. Be delighted by the variety of decorated floats, traditional costumes, live music, and stalls. The event signifies a renewal of the community, with sketches enacted of actions by individuals and organisations that happened in the previous year. Giant comical figures are displayed and then burned. The activities from the night are thought to cleanse any tensions so the year can be started afresh. <\/p>\n

\"WinterChristmas lights in Funchal Photo by: anilah\/Fotolia<\/span><\/p>\n

Will winter in Madeira convince you to spend Christmas away?<\/h2>\n

We\u2019re sure that Madeira\u2019s wide range of festive events will have you packing your swimsuit, sunglasses, jumpers, and raincoats ready for a trip away. Have you ever visited Madeira in their Christmas period? Let us know what your highlights were in the comments. <\/p>\n

Make sure you follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a> and\u00a0Facebook<\/a> for the latest travel tips and news. Remember to sign up to our newsletter below for the latest deals.<\/p>\n

Subscribe to our newsletter<\/h3>\n

\n Want our blogs emailed direct to you? Sign up below to get updates featuring our blogs and car hire top \n tips. Receive the best deals on car hire straight to your inbox.\n <\/p>\n

\n \n \n \n \n <\/form>\n