New Year's Eve in Madeira
Madeira: an island off the coast of Portugal that is home to a perfect climate year-round, beautiful beaches, delicious cuisine and wine, and lush landscapes. In addition to all of these wonderful attributes, Madeira is also known for its world famous New Year’s Eve Fireworks Celebration. If you are tired of facing frosty winter temperatures just to see a mediocre fireworks display, Madeira’s capital Funchal is the place for you. Funchal lights up with an unforgettable display that was recognized in 2006 by the Guinness Book of Records as "The Largest Fireworks Show in the World". Not only will you get to travel to a beautiful destination and ring in the new year on a gorgeous island, but you will also be dazzled by a world famous fireworks display that you will never forget.
End of year celebrations in Madeira do not start and end with just a fireworks display. In fact, the holiday festival in Funchal starts at the beginning of December and lasts until the “Dia de Reis” (“Three Kings Day”) on January 6th, featuring cultural, ethnographic, and artistic events throughout the city. Funchal’s naturally-formed amphitheatre city is transformed into a holiday dream with thousands of lights and decorations placed up and down the city’s main avenues. With holiday songs playing in the background as you stroll through the decorated squares, you will feel like you have entered into a winter wonderland, despite the pleasantly warm weather.
The highlight of the holiday season in Madeira is New Year's Eve. On the morning of New Year’s Eve, many tours start to gather in town and ships will line the port of Funchal in anticipation for the grand event. In the evening, the city is buzzing with life as nightclubs open, locals light up their homes, and the Madeira Orchestra performs a New Year's concert at the city pier. The anticipation grows throughout the evening as people begin to gather on balconies, belvederes, and city squares to wait for the main event. A minute before midnight, the countdown begins and is followed by the renowned fireworks show.The fireworks show lasts for about eight minutes and includes 3D illuminations, waterfalls of light, and giant walk-through creations. The fireworks are set off from the Funchal amphitheater, the waterfront, the city centre, the sea, and Porto Santo Island. Fireworks are literally all around you. Madeira tradition states that you should eat twelve raisins made from the local grapes, each representing one desire for the new year.
The magnificent holiday light decorations along with the fantastic New Year’s Eve fireworks and activities make Madeira Island one of the most attractive and unforgettable destinations. Our New Year’s Eve Luxury Extravaganza in Madeira allows you to enjoy all the Portuguese Island of Madeira has to offer during this wonderful time of year with a luxurious stay at the 5-star Royal Savoy Hotel in an oceanview room, a full-day tour of the island, and a New Year’s Eve gala celebration.
