Madeira Wine Festival

Name: Madeira Wine Festival
Start: 2025-08-23
End: 2025-09-13
Location: Madeira

A Celebration of Tradition, Terroir, and Island Joy

2026/08/22 - 2026/09/12

Every year from late August to mid-September, Madeira Island is swept up in the vibrant atmosphere of the Madeira Wine Festival. In the heart of Funchal and the vineyards of Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, centuries of winemaking and the legendary Madeira wine are celebrated with lively events. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast, a cultural explorer, or a lover of food and festive spirit, the Madeira Wine Festival is a unique opportunity to experience the island’s authentic traditions with all your senses.

From street parties and grape harvest parades to hands-on grape stomping and elegant wine tastings, locals and visitors join together to enjoy tradition, music, and gastronomy. The scent of ripe grapes, sizzling espetada (beef skewers), and the sea breeze mingle with flower-adorned avenues, candlelit wine cellars, folk music, and laughter that echo throughout the island.

Main Attractions

Grape Harvest, Grape Stomping, and Ethnographic Parades

The heart of the festival is the grape harvest in Estreito de Câmara de Lobos. Harvesters in traditional costumes, baskets on their heads, parade to music. Visitors can join in the age-old tradition of grape stomping in wooden vats, with laughter and purple juice flying everywhere. Ethnographic parades bring Madeira’s winemaking history to life, vividly depicting every stage of wine production and island life.

In Funchal, Avenida Arriaga is decorated with barrels and grape baskets, while performers in traditional dress and music groups fill the streets. At Praça do Povo’s Wine Lounge, guests enjoy wine tastings and pairing dinners under the stars, making for a magical island night.

Costumes, Decorations, and Festival Atmosphere

Festival participants and performers appear in Madeira’s traditional attire: women in striped skirts, embroidered blouses, and red scarves; men in white shirts, blue vests, and felt hats. Streets are adorned with grapevine garlands, colorful banners, and vintage winemaking tools. Flower arches and candlelit wine lodges create a dreamy, festive ambiance.

Traditional Food and Wine

The star is, of course, Madeira wine. From dry Sercial to rich Malvasia, a range of flavors can be sampled at tastings. Espetada (beef skewers), bolo do caco (garlic bread), black scabbardfish with banana, and honey cake are local favorites. The aromas of grilled meat, fresh bread, and fermenting grapes fill the air, while music and the clink of glasses set the scene for every meal.

Cultural and Historical Background

The Madeira Wine Festival began in the early 20th century, but its roots stretch back over 500 years to the island’s winemaking heritage. Madeira wine has been exported since the 15th century, famously used to toast the American Declaration of Independence and served at royal courts from Russia to England. The festival honors the grape harvest and the hard work of Madeiran farmers, while also showcasing Madeira’s unique wine culture to the world.

For locals, the festival is a cherished celebration of pride, unity, and the bounty of the land. Grape picking, stomping, and tasting the first new wine are rituals passed down through generations, strengthening community bonds through music, dance, and food. Today, it’s one of Madeira’s largest annual events, drawing thousands each year and helping preserve both the island’s wine industry and rural traditions.

Participant Voices

“As a wine lover, the tastings at the Wine Lounge were a dream. Sipping Madeira while hearing stories from winemakers was unforgettable, and the street concerts and food stalls made it a true festival for all senses.”

Fun Facts

Madeira wine has over 500 years of history and was famously used to toast the American Declaration of Independence.
Grape stomping is open to everyone and is one of the festival’s most popular experiences.
Madeira’s vineyards are planted on steep terraced slopes, creating breathtaking scenery and unique flavors.

Festival Dates

The Madeira Wine Festival is held every year from late August to mid-September, with main events in Funchal and Estreito de Câmara de Lobos. Join the grape harvest, try grape stomping, and raise a glass to the island’s most joyful tradition.