Cider Fest Madeira (Festa da Sidra Madeira) — events in Madeira
Regional cider festival organised by APSRAM and the Regional Government at the Praça Central of Avenida Arriaga in Funchal — tastings, producers' stalls, live music. 2026 edition: 23–28 June.
About Cider Fest Madeira (Festa da Sidra Madeira)
Held in Avenida Arriaga, Funchal, Cider Fest Madeira (Festa da Sidra Madeira) sits in the second tier of the island's calendar — smaller than the marquee festivals, but with a following that fills the town's guesthouses well before the programme is even announced.
Cider Fest Madeira (Festa da Sidra Madeira) slots neatly into a broader trip — a day either side of Avenida Arriaga, Funchal is enough, and the surrounding parishes stay quiet, so it makes a good anchor for exploring the area without competing for restaurants or roads.
Cider Fest Madeira (Festa da Sidra Madeira) is the newer of the island's two cider festivals — a regional showcase organised by APSRAM (Associação de Produtores de Sidra da Região Autónoma da Madeira) together with the Regional Government. It runs in central Funchal at the Praça Central of Avenida Arriaga, the same tree-lined avenue that hosts the Wine Festival and the Christmas lights. The 2026 edition takes place from 23 to 28 June, timed to the start of the summer visitor season and the São João festivities.
The programme brings together the island's certified cider producers under one roof-style tasting village. Visitors buy a tasting card and move between the stalls, sampling everything from the light, dry ciders from Santo da Serra and the northern parishes to sweeter, sparkling styles from Câmara de Lobos. Alongside the tastings there are producers' talks, food pairings with regional cheeses and sausages, and nightly folk-music sets on a small stage.
This is the official regional festival and works best as an evening in Funchal — casual, urban, no travel required. It is a completely separate event from the traditional late-September Mostra da Sidra in Santo da Serra, which coincides with the actual apple harvest.
What to know before you go
- Accommodation in central Funchal sells out earliest — booking 3–6 months ahead is normal for the larger festivals.
- Public transport runs extra services on the main event days, but parking near Avenida Arriaga, Funchal becomes very limited — arrive early or plan to walk in.
- Street programming is free. Paid elements — grandstand seats, gala dinners, indoor concerts — release in waves and disappear quickly once the dates are official.
- Photograph early. The best light and the smallest crowds are usually in the first hour of the programme, not the headline slot.
- Dates: 23–28 June 2026, evenings, at the Praça Central of Avenida Arriaga in central Funchal.
- Free entry to the site; tastings are paid via a tasting card sold on the spot.
- Combine with the Festa de São João street parties (23–24 June island-wide) — same days.
- For the traditional, rural version, come back in late September for the Mostra da Sidra in Santo da Serra.
- Official organiser: APSRAM, with the Regional Government's cultural directorate (madeira.gov.pt).
Best time to visit
The main programme runs around June. Arrive a day early to settle in and see the build-up — set-up day is often the most photogenic.
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Frequently asked
When is Cider Fest Madeira (Festa da Sidra Madeira)?+
Official dates for the next edition of Cider Fest Madeira (Festa da Sidra Madeira) have not yet been confirmed. It runs annually around June — the organiser typically publishes exact dates 2–4 months before the event. Check back closer to the season, or use the previous edition's window as a planning guide.
How do I get to Cider Fest Madeira (Festa da Sidra Madeira) and where should I stay?+
Avenida Arriaga, Funchal keeps things walkable during the festival — the venues cluster within a short walk of the main square. Buses add extra services on the opening and closing days.
What's the best day or time to experience Cider Fest Madeira (Festa da Sidra Madeira)?+
Come for a specific concert or exhibition rather than trying to see everything. The programme in Avenida Arriaga, Funchal is deep enough that grazing is a waste.
What are the local traditions behind Cider Fest Madeira (Festa da Sidra Madeira)?+
Avenida Arriaga, Funchal's cultural programme this month leans on the island's own tradition — folk music, poetry in Madeiran dialect, exhibitions of local artists. It's the calendar's chance to see the versions of Madeira that don't fit into a beach-and-sunshine brochure.
When is Cider Fest Madeira 2026?+
The 2026 Cider Fest Madeira runs from 23 to 28 June at the Praça Central of Avenida Arriaga in central Funchal. It is organised by APSRAM and the Regional Government of Madeira.
Is Cider Fest Madeira the same as the Santo da Serra cider festival?+
No — Madeira now has two distinct cider festivals. Cider Fest Madeira is the regional festival held in Funchal in late June. The traditional Mostra da Sidra takes place in Santo da Serra in late September, organised by the local Casa do Povo to coincide with the apple and pear harvest.
Where in Funchal is Cider Fest Madeira held?+
At the Praça Central of Avenida Arriaga — the pedestrianised heart of downtown Funchal, between the Cathedral and the Municipal Garden. Easy to reach on foot from anywhere in the old town or the marina.
How does the tasting system work?+
Free entry to the site. Buy a tasting card at the entrance, then move between the individual producer stalls and use the card to sample different ciders. Food pairings with regional cheeses, sausages and bolo do caco are usually available separately.
Plan the rest of your trip
The four guides most first-time visitors reach for.