Madeira June Events
Madeira Island is filled with tradition and great festivities through out the year.
This month take the opportunity to enjoy some of Madeira’s exhilarating attractions with events and festivals practically every weekend all over the Island.
Medieval Market – Machico – 5-6 June
Held in the oldest settlement in Madeira, Machico’s Medieval Market is an entertaining festival celebrating the early days on the archipelago. For a weekend in June, the streets are decorated with colourful flags and tents, while locals are dressed in full medieval costumes – from knights and ladies to merchants and minstrels. Entertainment includes dramatic historical re-enactments, open-air theatre, music, fire-eaters and acrobats. Market stalls sell a wide selection of handicrafts and offer demonstrations of pottery, weaving and woodwork.
The Atlantic Festival – 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th
This important festival marks the beginning of the summer festivities on this island, numerous activities in the centre of Funchal with an international firework display competition every Saturday, Classical Music performance and street entertainment.
This event certainly is a major breathtaking tourist attraction, visitors are treated to a glorious Firework show that lights up Funchal´s night sky spreading magic through its bay and sea.
Madeira Island Ultra Trail – “East to west” – June 9th
Registrations are now open for the Madeira Island Ultra Trail – a long distance trail running event that spans the island of Madeira. There are three races of 25 km, 55 km and 105 km (with a time limit for completion) travelling east to west from sea level to the mountainous peaks of pico do Arieiro and pico do Ruivo (1861 m) and through the stunning Laurissilva forests. Challengers endure changes in temperature and visibility during this race and require self-sufficiency in the mountains. Click here for further information and to register online.
Festival of the popular saints – Festa dos Santos Populares 12th – 29th
Festa dos Santos Populares are some of the biggest traditional festivals celebrated all over the Island and is still today the high social point of many regions. These festivities are dedicated to the three popular saints; Santo Antonio (St. Antony), São João (St. John) and São Pedro (St Peter).
The celebrations begin with St. Antony in the beautiful Church of Santo António, with parades, traditional food and great entertainment. St. Anthony is the saint of Love and a match maker, during this festivity people make bonfires on the streets and jump over them as tradition, it is said the highest leapers will be lucky in love. Many marriages also take place during this festival.
Saint John is the most popular saint celebrated all over the island. Funchal with its St. John's Altars 19th – 24th traditional celebration, where local shops prepare and show off their altar creativity, followed by a celebration of traditional "marchas populares", entertainment and great food.
Porto Santo, 19th – 29th best-known tourist attraction during this big festivity with lots of interesting events including traditional parades, jumping over bonfires on the beach and balloon release.
Saint Peter, the protector of the fishermen, the biggest celebration is in the fishing ports of Câmara de Lobos and in Ribeira Brava.
The black scabbard fish festival serves to promote one of the most typical gastronomic Madeiran specialties, also pay a tribute to the local fishermen, who for generations were the only ones in the island who devote themselves for the catch of this type of fish.
Ribeira Brava Jun 28th and 29th, great traditional celebrations that last trough the night, surrounded streets are decorated with colourful flowers, live entertainment, traditional dancing, music and food stalls set on the beach. As tradition, visitors who want to take part in the festival activity, popular night journeys are available between Funchal and Ribeira Brava. There will be a picturesque procession of boats held on the sea and at midnight a great firework display.
Cherry Festival (Festa da Cereja) – Câmara de Lobos, Jardim da Serra 16th – 17th
The Cherry Festival is one of the most important local activities held annually in Jardim da Serra since 1954. The dazzling beauty of the cherry blooming season takes place normally in April and May. The harvest begins at the end of May and usually lasts through to the end of June. There are a variety of cherry trees cultivated. The "regional ones", of medium sizes and prodigious yield and the late picking, large size “Norberto". This is a variety well adapted to the region's climate and soil. This sweet celebration of the local cherry harvest promises a fun-filled weekend of Festivities, with great entertainment, food and drink. There is also a cherry parade of wicker baskets filled with cherries and many street shops where you can enjoy and sample some of the great home made cherry liqueurs and many other varieties.
Madeira Classic Rally – 22nd - 26th
This month Madeira Island will be hosting for the 25th time, the Volta à Madeira Classic Rally race event.
The Clube Automóveis Clássicos da Madeira has organized once again the famous historic classic and vintage automobile event, which is part of FIA and the international FIVA calendar, respected and well known worldwide. This competitive tour takes place in June through Madeira’s picturesque mountains and valleys, allowing participants to admire Madeira’s fascinating beauty and nature.
