What to see in Madeira, month by month

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Travellers who have already chosen their month often ask what is special about it. In Madeira, almost every month has a highlight of its own, from the night parades of Carnival to the fireworks over the bay on New Year's Eve.

The year runs roughly like this. Winter is for the city, the coast and the festivals: Carnival in February, and the Christmas season from December to early January. Spring is for walking and flowers, with the Flower Festival in May. Summer is for the sea, the fireworks of June and the jazz of July. Late summer and autumn bring the Wine Festival and the harvest, the warmest sea of the year in September, and the Nature Festival in October. The sea keeps its own calendar, from 17.6 °C in March to 22.9 °C in September.

January to March

The common mistake is to write winter off. The south coast is mild, and February has one of the year's great festivals.

In January, the Christmas season runs until 10 January: the Epiphany hymns at Praça do Povo on 5 January at 19:00, and the Bolo-Rei on the 6th. Funchal averages 20.0 °C by day, and the hotels are among their quietest of the year.

In February, Carnival fills the centre: 3 to 14 February in 2027, with the Allegoric Parade on two nights, 5 and 6 February, the children's parade and the satirical Cortejo Trapalhão on Carnival Tuesday. In Santana, the Festa dos Compadres opens the season.

In March, the days brighten: sunshine jumps to about 198 hours from February's 167. The sea is at its coolest, about 17.6 °C, so it is a month for the gardens, the city and the coastal walks rather than swimming.

The Festa dos Compadres in Santana marks the beginning of the Carnival season in March.

April to June

Visitors often plan spring by the weather in Funchal. It is the best season for the mountains too.

In April, rain falls to 45.2 mm in Funchal, and the Flower Festival opens at the end of the month: 29 April in 2027, with the flower exhibition. It is a strong month for levadas, before the heat.

In May, the Flower Festival is at its height: the Allegoric Parade on two Sundays, 2 and 16 May in the 2027 programme, the Wall of Hope, where children place a flower as an appeal for peace, and the flower carpets on Avenida Arriaga. Funchal has only 27.2 mm of rain and about 209 hours of sun.

In June, the Atlantic Festival brings the Madeira International Fireworks Contest to the bay on the first three Saturdays, about 20 minutes each. The sea passes 20 °C, and the Lido's bathing season opens.

July to September

The mistake is to think summer is only for the beach. It is also the driest season in the mountains.

In July, the Funchal Jazz Festival fills the Municipal Garden, with free concerts, and the Santa Catarina Park, with ticketed nights; in 2026 it ran from 6 to 11 July. Funchal has 1.7 mm of rain in the whole month, and Queimadas, on the north side, its driest month, 47.1 mm: the easiest time for PR9 to the Caldeirão Verde.

In August, the warmest month, the Wine Festival begins: 22 August in 2027, with the Madeira Wine Lounge at Praça do Povo. Book early: it is also the busiest month for hotels.

In September, the sea is at its warmest, about 22.9 °C, and the Wine Festival continues to 12 September in 2027, with the harvest festival at Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, grape picking, a procession and grape treading, in the first half of the month.

October to December

People often assume autumn is the end of the season. The sea is still warm, and the year ends with its best-known night.

In October, the Nature Festival takes the island outdoors, 6 to 11 October in 2026: levada walks, waterfall descents in the north-coast mountains, bike rides on forest trails and wellness, booked at the organisers' stand at Largo da Restauração. The sea is still about 22.3 °C, warmer than in July, but the rain returns in the mountains.

In November, the city is quieter and mild, 22.8 °C by day, and the sea still about 20.9 °C; the north side has its wettest month, so keep to the south and east for walks.

In December, the Christmas season opens on 1 December: the dawn masses of mid-December, the market night at the Mercado dos Lavradores on 23 December, and, at midnight on New Year's Eve, eight minutes of fireworks from nearly 60 launch points around the bay.

Planning around a month

The mistake is to pick a month for one reason and ignore the rest. Weigh the festival, the weather and the crowds together.

For walking, the dry months in the mountains are May to September; April and September are the gentlest for long days. For swimming, the sea is above 20 °C from June to October. For quiet and space, December and January had the lowest hotel occupancy in 2025, 52.8% and 54.1%; August had the highest, 76.7%.

Whatever the month, check the IFCN's notices before a walk, since classified trails close for weather or works, and book them on SIMplifica close to the day. The Visit Madeira site publishes the dates of each festival, and the IPMA the forecast. For the choice of month itself, see the best time to visit Madeira, and for every event, the festivals calendar.

Common questions

What is the best month for festivals in Madeira?

May for the Flower Festival, February for Carnival, June for the fireworks contest, and December for Christmas and New Year's Eve.

When is the sea warmest?

In September, about 22.9 °C at Funchal. It is above 20 °C from June to October.

What is special about December?

The Christmas season, the market night on 23 December and the New Year's Eve fireworks over the bay.

When is the best month for the long levadas?

July, the driest month on the north side, with 47.1 mm at Queimadas; May to September generally.