Loving Life on the Go - Madeira Carnival

Madeira, a Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean, is part of the Madeira Archipelago. The island is closer to the African continent than Portugal. The mild and moderate subtropical climate supports a lush, green landscape covering the island’s volcanic, rugged terrain. Madeira is a picture-postcard, year-round resort.

Madeira, like most of Portugal, really comes to life with Carnival the week before Lent; it is a celebration of the coming of Spring and a last fun fling before the traditional, somber, Christian period of Lent. The parties and parades of Madeira Carnival last for more than a week; they conclude the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday with a parade of costumed locals.

Later the same evening, we attended a huge Carnival Gala at Pestana Casino Resort. It includes a feast and a presentation of the best in Samba music and four of the Carnival dance troupes. The costumes were absolutely dazzling, featuring female dancers in enormous, sparkly and scanty dresses. The male dancers were also decked out, but with a lot more coverage. Due to a mix up with our tickets, the hotel soothed our frustration by sitting us at the edge of the dance floor. Although it was a loud location, I was so front and centre that the lead dancer selected me for a quick spin on the dance floor – so quick that there is no photographic evidence. The energy built as one dance troupe was followed by another; each had a riveting act featuring more elaborate feathered and sequinned costumes.

We recommend attending the parade on the first Saturday of Carnival or the show at the end. If you visit at another time of year you may find that your visit coincides with one of the many other festivals. The New Years Eve fireworks and Flower Festival in May are both renowned. There is a full listing of festivals and celebrations here.

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