Madeira is a popular and vibrant tourist destination, known not only for its natural beauty and pleasant climate but also for its annual programme of entertainment, which includes a strong musical component.
There are several music festivals throughout the year, the most popular being the ones that bring alternative music styles, which attract all kinds of enthusiasts.
Aleste Festival
This is a festival that promotes the most relevant Portuguese artists, offering a very alternative music programme. An opportunity for music aficionados to dance in the open air and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.
Aleste has marked Madeira’s cultural agenda since 2014. This event has been occupying the noble spaces of Funchal’s shared identity, discovering new potential and promoting these same public spaces.
Find out more about Aleste Festival: www.aleste.pt
Summer Opening Festival
Santa Catarina Park welcomes every year Portuguese and international artists for four intense days of music. July is the month in which good energy and the celebration of various musical styles are guaranteed, leaving no festival-goer indifferent.
Dates of Summer Opening 2023:
July 14 and 15
21st and 22nd July
Find out more and access the Summer Opening Festival box office here: https://linktr.ee/summeropening_festival
Funchal Jazz
Funchal Jazz is an annual event, which takes place in the first week of July in the gardens of Santa Catarina Park.
Funchal Jazz has been presenting artists of great international projection and is complemented by other activities such as workshops, jam sessions and other small events spread around the city of Funchal.
This is an initiative promoted by Funchal City Hall with the purpose of presenting events on an international scale, which promote local culture and put Madeira on the cultural tourism route.
Learn more about Funchal Jazz here: https://www.funchaljazz.com/
MEO – Festival Sons do Mar
Every year, in September, Santa Catarina Park fills up with “Sea Sounds”. The CMF, MEO and Pev Entertainment promote, since 2010, this event following the tragic events of the storm that marked the life of the Madeirans on 20 February. “Sons do Mar” Festival is the result of the proof of collective overcoming and in the form of dynamisation and diversification of the offer of events in the city.
Learn more about MEO – “Sons do Mar” Festival here: https://www.facebook.com/FestivalSonsdoMar
Festival Raízes do Atlântico
Created in 1994, the Festival Raízes do Atlântico is considered the oldest world music festival in Portugal. This is one of the most successful events in Madeira that combines traditional Madeiran music with world music, attracting a large and diverse audience to the island’s capital.
This event takes place every year on the penultimate weekend of July and also includes musical performances, conferences, lectures and even the launching of CDs.
Learn more about Atlantic Roots Festival: https://raizesdoatlantico.madeira.gov.pt/pt/
Besides these festivals, there are other musical events that mark the agenda all year round in Madeira, from classical music concerts to traditional Madeiran music festivals, such as folklore, philharmonic and “despiques”.