MachicoFestivals & Celebrations

Machico was the first place the intrepid voyagers set foot on the Island, making it the perfect place to host the Mercado Quinhentista.

Organised by Escola Secundária de Machico in partnership with Câmara Municipal de Machico the project counts on the participation of cultural associations, social institutions and schools.

The market is based on the historical recreation of the settlers who lived in the captaincy during the sixteenth century. It aims to value and defend the cultural identity and historical heritage of Machico.

Date: First weekend of June

Semana Gastronomica is one of the most renowned food festivals on the Island. With more than 30 editions, the festival has grown throughout the years and attracts people from all over the Island.

The festival presents a wide range of regional flavours where the typical dishes of the county are particularly present, such as fish and seafood.

In addition to the flavoursome food, the festival has various types of entertainment and live music.

Date: July to August

The recently created Festival de Arte e Pesca (art and fishing) takes place at the beginning of July along the promenade next to Praia da Banda d'Além. This festival aims to honor the fishing heritage of the parish and show visitors the culinary know-how of the local eateries.

The four-day event is organized by the local parish council and includes recreational and sporting activities as well as local craft exhibitions.

Date: July

The Festival do Atum, do Gaiado e do Marisco (Tuna, Skipjack and Seafood Festival) started in 2016 is a unique food festival. Organised by the municipality of Machico, the festival honours the local fishermen and their hard work by tasting the fruits of their labour.

Caniçal is a fishing village and centre of the tuna industry in the region. Skipjack is a species from the tuna family that is traditionally salted and sun-dried. Seafood is also valued in the small parish.

Besides the good regional food, the three-day festival has a diverse program with lots of entertainment and musical shows to boot. It occurs in July in the village of Caniçal.

Date: July

Going to the local market is a Christmas tradition part of Madeiran culture. The local Town Hall organises the Market on the Saturday before Christmas. There is food and drink and plenty of entertainment as well as the traditional fruit and veg stalls selling local produce.

The party carries on through the night with music and Christmas spirit.

Festa da Uva e do Agricultor, organised by the Casa do Povo do Porto da Cruz is an event that occurs in September during the annual harvest.

Porto da Cruz is a rural parish with strong winemaking tradition. The festival reflects this tradition and brings excitement and good disposition to the Village.

As with most local events and celebrations, the Festa da Uva e do Agricultor is accompanied by a pleasant programme, attracting the local and visiting population.

The Feast of Nossa Senhora da Guadalupe, patron Saint of Porto da Cruz, attracts thousands of people. The feast takes place in August and is an opportunity to reunite with friends and family who return home for the summer.

With a varied program and lots of entertainment, the highlight of the feast is the procession that takes place on the 15th in honour of the virgin.

Situated on top of Monte Gordo in Dunas da Piedade, the sky-blue chapel is at the centre of one of the most unique processions on the Island.

Although the patron saint of Caniçal is São Sebastião, the feast of Nossa Senhora da Piedade is experienced wholeheartedly. Legend has it that a group of fishermen ran into trouble out at sea, promising to build a chapel in honour of the saint if they were saved. Miraculously, the fishermen got back to dry land, fulfilling their promise by building Capela de Nossa Senhora da Piedade.

Today, the celebration takes place on the third weekend of September.

This feast attracts people from all over the Island, who year after year accompany the transport of Nossa Senhora da Piedade to Caniçal. The image is taken from the small chapel to one of the beautifully adorned boats that set sail towards the village, eventually returning back to her place in the chapel, making this procession truly unique.

Celebrated for the last 2 centuries, the Feast of Senhor dos Milagres is one of the most important celebration for the people of Machico. After days of heavy rainfall, a devastating flood occurred. About 14 lived were lost and most of the village was destroyed, including Capela dos Milagres.