Madeira in September
Madeira in September: Warmest sea of the year + dropping crowds — many returning visitors' top pick. 23–26 °C in Funchal, beautifully stable. 23 °C — the warmest of the year.
23–26 °C in Funchal, beautifully stable.
23 °C — the warmest of the year.
September is often the highest-rated month among repeat visitors: the sea hits its annual peak, the mountains are clear of summer cloud, and crowd levels drop noticeably after the first week. The Madeira Wine Festival in early September adds a cultural anchor.
Why come in September
- +Warmest sea of the year
- +Stable, clear weather
- +Crowds thinning
- +Wine Festival in Funchal + Câmara de Lobos
Trade-offs
- −Hotel prices still high in the first half
- −Atlantic hurricane remnants occasionally graze the island late month
Events in September
Madeira Wine Festival
Late-summer harvest festival (late Aug–mid Sep) celebrating Madeira wine. Avenida Arriaga in Funchal becomes a street party with the Madeira Wine Lounge, light-and-sound shows and folk parades, while Estreito de Câmara de Lobos hosts the live grape harvest, barefoot treading and ethnographic parade.
Sian Lesley Cabaret Dinner Show at The Ritz
Every Saturday night at The Ritz Madeira on Avenida Arriaga: a three-course dinner with wines, beer or soft drinks included until dessert, followed by a glittering cabaret show starring Sian Lesley — who began her career at the Moulin Rouge and the Lido de Paris — and dancing until late in the upstairs restaurant of one of Funchal's oldest grand cafés.
Mostra da Sidra (Santo da Serra Cider Festival)
Traditional late-September cider festival in Santo da Serra, organised by the Casa do Povo do Santo da Serra to coincide with the apple and pear harvest — tastings from local producers, folk music and regional food. The 32nd edition (XXXII Mostra da Sidra) is confirmed for 26–27 September 2026, the last weekend of September as usual.
Festa do Pêro (Apple Festival)
Rural apple harvest festival in Ponta do Pargo organised by the Casa do Povo — cider, apple cake, western-Madeira folk groups and a musical programme. 41st edition on 19–20 September 2026.
Columbus Festival (Festival Colombo, Porto Santo)
Four-day historical re-enactment in Vila Baleira on Porto Santo recreating Christopher Columbus's 15th-century stay on the island — period costumes, mock caravel arrival, medieval market, street theatre and concerts. 17–20 September 2026.
Festa das Vindimas do Estreito (Estreito Grape Harvest Festival)
The rural, harvest-based side of the Madeira Wine Festival — live grape-picking, traditional foot-treading in old lagares, ethnographic parade and folklore in Estreito de Câmara de Lobos. Programme runs across two weekends, 5–13 September 2026; the Câmara de Lobos municipal agenda lists the main harvest and ethnographic parade day as Saturday 12 September. Checked 1 September 2026.
Madeira Wine Lounge
The tasting hub of the Madeira Wine Festival — an open-air lounge on Avenida Arriaga in Funchal where the island's wine houses pour Sercial, Verdelho, Bual and Malvasia by the glass, with live music each evening. Official dates: 27 August – 13 September 2026, and 26 August – 12 September 2027.
Festa de Nossa Senhora da Piedade (Caniçal)
Caniçal's biggest festival and one of Madeira's most striking religious events — held on the third weekend of September, when a fleet of tuna boats carries the statue of Our Lady of Piety in a sea procession along the coast before it is carried up to the chapel on Pico da Piedade. Arraial with espetada, bolo do caco and live bands in the village both nights. Expected 19–20 September 2026 (third weekend); no official parish programme published as of 1 September 2026, so treat the dates as provisional.
Festa de Nossa Senhora da Luz (Ponta do Sol)
Ponta do Sol's arraial closes the south-west's festival season, held on the municipal holiday of 8 September within the wider Semana da Cultura Popular that runs from late August. The candlelit procession leaves the parish church for the pebble beach, followed by bands on the promenade, food stalls run by local associations and one of the friendliest, least touristy crowds on the island. Free entry; the ER101 down into the village is narrow, so arrive before sunset. Feast day confirmed for 8 September 2026 by the parish festival programme.
Arraial do Senhor Bom Jesus (Ponta Delgada)
The north coast's great romaria and one of the most traditional arraiais on Madeira. Although the liturgical feast falls in January, the celebration is held on the first weekend of September in Ponta Delgada, when groups of romeiros walk in from parishes across the island to pay promises at the Senhor Bom Jesus sanctuary. Expect an all-night vigil, a huge procession, brass bands, fireworks over the sea and rows of espetada and poncha stalls. Free; the ER101 north-coast road and buses from Funchal via São Vicente are the usual approach. Weekend dates are set by the parish each year.
MEO Sons do Mar
Madeira's biggest mainstream music festival, staged in the natural amphitheatre of Parque de Santa Catarina above Funchal harbour, with the sea as a backdrop. Two nights of Portuguese headliners alongside Madeiran artists, from 20:00 each evening. The 2026 edition runs 4–5 September; tickets are sold through MEO Blueticket and Portuguese Sign Language interpretation is provided free with a ticket. The park is a 10-minute walk from the Funchal marina and cathedral, so most people arrive on foot.
Arraial de Nossa Senhora do Loreto (Arco da Calheta)
One of the last big arraiais of the Madeiran summer and among the most emblematic, held at the 16th-century Capela do Loreto in Arco da Calheta in honour of Nossa Senhora do Loreto and Santo Antão. Days of masses and processions alternate with live Madeiran bands, folk groups, food stalls and fireworks over the terraced vineyards of the south-west. Free entry; combine with the Calheta beach and Jardim do Mar. Held 5–8 September in 2026.
Festa de Nossa Senhora do Livramento (Caniço)
Caniço's best-known religious festival, celebrated on the second Sunday of September around the Igreja Matriz in the town square — a fixed parish rule, so 11–13 September 2026 (Sunday 13th) holds. Novenas, a candlelit procession and mass by day; espetada, bolo do caco, poncha and live Madeiran bands in the square by night. Smaller and far more local than the Funchal events, and only 15 minutes from the city by the 155 bus.
What to prioritise
Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo
trailMadeira's most iconic ridge hike, connecting the island's second and highest peaks across exposed ridges, stairs and tunnels.
Levada do Caldeirão Verde
trailThe PR9 Levada do Caldeirão Verde is a 17.4 km out-and-back walk from Queimadas Forest Park above Santana, following an 18th-century laurisilva levada to a 100 m waterfall dropping into a green rock amphitheatre. Almost flat, four unlit tunnels, moderate exposure — one of the two most famous levada walks on the island.
Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço
trailThe arid eastern peninsula. Volcanic colours, dramatic sea cliffs, almost no shade. A complete contrast to the green interior.
Levada das 25 Fontes
trailWalk through Rabaçal's laurisilva to a lagoon fed by 25 springs. One of the most popular routes — go early.
Vereda do Fanal
trailShort walk through the otherworldly Fanal laurel forest — best in fog. Often photographed for its ancient til trees.
Porto Moniz Natural Pools
beachVolcanic-rock pools naturally filled by the Atlantic on Madeira's north-west tip. The signature swimming spot of the island.
Praia Formosa
beachMadeira's longest beach: a mix of pebble and black sand on the western edge of Funchal. Easy to reach by bus.
Praia da Calheta
beachMan-made golden-sand beach inside a sheltered marina. Calm water — good for families.
Frequently asked
- When is the Madeira Wine Festival?
- Usually the first full week of September, with harvest events in Câmara de Lobos and tastings in central Funchal.