Year 2008

 
Madeira Walking Festival
 
15th-19th January 2008

The Madeira Islands Walking Festival is an organised group walking programme, in levadas (waterways built by man during the colonisation of the archipelago) or in trails, with specialised guide, during 5 consecutive days.

A total of 20 walking routes have been chosen, all having been classified and recommended by the Regional Government of Madeira. The participants have at their disposal a list of 4 walks per day, with a range of durations and levels of difficulty.
 
 
 
Carnival
 
From 2 to 5 February, 2008

The Carnival, or Mardi Gras, celebrations in Madeira take the form of a great parade of floats the Saturday before Shrove Tuesday and remain an essentially folk festival.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Flower Festival
 
April 05 to April 06, 2008

Every April, Madeira’s flower festival fills the main streets of Funchal. It is a breathtaking festival with a street parade and floats, through the streets of Funchal, exhibiting and perfuming the air with a multiplicity of floral species of the island.
 
 
 
 
 
Festival of the Atlantic
 
From 01 to 30 June, 2008

The Festival of the Atlantic is an important event that combines entertainment and culture. It has three components: the Madeira Music Festival, the International Fireworks Competition and performances by philharmonic bands in the city centre.



Madeira Wine Festival
 
From 28 August to 2 September

Recalling the social and economic importance of Madeira wine, the Madeira Wine Festival is held in September during the grape harvest, going back to the population’s old customs since the island was first settled.
 

 
 
 
 
Columbus Festival
 
From 13 to 15 September

This event is dedicated to Christopher Columbus and is held in Vila Baleira, Porto Santo in September. The festival involves music, drama, exhibitions and parades recalling the age of the Portuguese discoveries.