Santa Claus is preparing its sledge for every corner of the world, including a special beautiful island. The happy season is coming, so it’s time to look into the Greatest events in Madeira this December 2017.

December is always a happy time – it is particularly so in Madeira. The Christmas Lights are lit on December 1st and remain thus, ornating the city of Funchal and making it merry until January 7th. The whole capital city of the island becomes a magical, fairytale place for all to see.

As all Portuguese people, being Catholic, the people of Madeira celebrate Christmas with a pre-period of fasting and then a week of Christmas Celebrations. These usually start on December 16th and end on Christmas Day, which is December 25th.

During these days, people go to church and also prepare for the celebration with nativity scenes and Christmas Trees.

The last and most beautiful mass of the season is the The Midnight Mass, held in churches on Christmas Eve, December 24th. It is called “Missa do Galo”, because it is believed that the rooster was the first to see the birth of Baby Jesus. After Mass, people head back home to enjoy the good food prepared for the occasion and of course, to see what Santa Claus has brought this year.

Christmas is celebrated on December 25th with carols, good food and families gathering by the Christmas Tree. the greatest celebration in Christianity does not present any significant differences here from how it is celebrated on the European continent or anywhere else, for that matter.

And alas, Christmas being over, we are preparing for a new celebration: we are eager to welcome the New Year 2018. Here, Madeira really presents one of the most amazing and awesome options: the greatest fireworks display in Europe, which happens every year on December 31tst by the shore of the Atlantic Ocean in Funchal.

If you want to enjoy all this in December, be sure to book your Funchal car hire too!