Funchal's Christmas lights will be officially inaugurated on 1 December, at 7:00 p.m., in Praça do Povo, with a show marking the start of Madeira's festive season. The ceremony will feature performances by Beatriz Caboz and the Funchal Jazz Orchestra, according to the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Environment and Culture.
The installation work began in early October and, as tradition dictates, the lights will remain on until the early hours of 8 January. This year's main novelty is an LED screen displaying videos about Madeira, along with a stage for live performances set up in Praça do Povo.
According to the regional secretariat, the Christmas illuminations will cover the main avenues and streets of all Funchal parishes, including public buildings, monuments, squares, churches, fortresses, palaces, streams and gardens.
During the festive season, the lights will be on from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., extending until 6:00 a.m. on 23, 24 and 31 December, and until 4:00 a.m. on 25 and 30 December.
On Porto Santo, the town of Vila Baleira will also be lit up between 1 December and 7 January, at the same times, except on 24 and 31 December, when the display will continue until 4:00 a.m.
This year's project follows the same artistic concept as last year's, as the public tender launched by the Regional Government covers two years (2024/2025 and 2025/2026) and also includes Carnival illuminations. The total investment amounts to €3.6 million (excluding VAT), covering the design, construction, installation and dismantling of the displays.
Among the most iconic features are the "Celestial Path of Storms", at Funchal Pier — an immersive installation combining augmented reality, lights and sound effects — and the area between Rua Fernão de Ornelas and the Municipal Garden, inspired by the Madeiran Cleopatra butterfly, an endemic species known for its natural brightness.
At Praça do Povo, an interactive 30-metre-high Christmas tree will once again be installed, decorated with hanging pieces that simulate a musical score and incorporate augmented reality experiences.
Other emblematic locations, such as Praça Colombo, Praça CR7 and Avenida Sá Carneiro, will also retain their thematic installations, including the now-traditional ceiling of luminous jellyfish over the seafront promenade.
The secretariat also highlights that the project focuses on sustainability and energy efficiency, relying exclusively on LED technology and recyclable materials.
