Religious Festivities and Arraiais

Monday, 22 August 2011 00:00

The Archipelago of Madeira is proud to have many Religious Festivitites and “Arraiais” (Madeiran typical festivity) all year long. These festivities are allusive to Madeira and Porto Santo’s culture, traditions and costumes.

The roads on each parish are magnificently decorated with colorful flowers and sometimes plastic flowers. Besides, there are also music, live performances, food and beverage and great entertainment. These festivals attract thousands of locals and tourists from all over the island.

Some of the most important Religious Festivities in Madeira Island are the Lady of Monte (Senhora do Monte), the Good Lord Jesus (Senhor do Bom Jesus), Lord of Miracle (Senhor dos Milagres) There are food and drink stalls, filled with regional gastronomy. Some of the most common specialties are the "espetada" (beef cubed on a stick and grilled over an open fire), grilled chicken and the famous bolo do caco (a local bread made with wheat flour), wine and other drink specialties.

Nossa Senhora do Loreto Festival is one of the most famous festivals in Madeira Island. It takes place in 8th December, in the civil parish of Arco da Calheta.There are live concerts, performances of folklore and of course, the tarditional "despiques" between the pilgrims and partygoers, who have come to pay their own vows made to the patron saint that is being celebrated, that is Nossa Senhora do Loreto.Besides, there are also stalls with food and beaverage.The most famous dishes are the “espetada” hung in the laurel stick, grilled chicken and the “Bolo do Caco” (typical bread made with wheat flour).
 

São Sebastião Festival is an annual religious festival, which takes place in the civil parish of Caniçal, on 22nd January.The aim of this festival is to honor its Patron Saint, São Sebastião.
After the mass, locals and tourists get together in a great entertainment. Besides, there are stalls serving typical Madeiran gastronomy.

Nossa Senhora da Piedade Festival (3rd Weekend of September) is an annual religious event, which is held in the civil parish of Caniçal, on the third weekend of September. This festival is in honor of Nossa Senhora da Piedade (Our Lady of Mercy).
On Saturday, there is a procession where the image of Nossa Senhora da Piedade is carried out, in brighly decorated boats.

Machico´s Gastronomic Week.
This event is promoted by the Câmara Municipal de Machico.The aim of this festival is to promote Madeira's cuisine, where locals and tourists can enjoy not only delicious food, but also a cocktail festival, music – live concerts - , great entertainment and many activities.There will be stalls serving typical specialties, namelly the famous "espetada", "carne de vinho e alhos" , grilled limpets, grilled chicken, tuna fish steak and "bolo do caco" (typical bread made with wheat flour).

Senhor dos Milagres festival is one of the most important and popular religious festivals in Madeira Island. The aim of this festival is to honour Senhor dos Milagres (Lord of Miracles).Thousands of locals and tourists come to this festival to honor the patron saint and also to thank for their deeds.The city (Machico) is kept with the lights off during the religious ceremony, excepting the candles.Besides, there are folklore groups performing and great entertainment.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception is the patron Saint of Portugal and also the Patron Saint of Machico.
It is celebrated on 8th December.After the celebration, there is great entertainment.

Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe, also known as Virgem da Guadalupe is the Patron Saint of Porto da Cruz civil parish.
From 14th to 15th August, there is an annual religious event in honor of Nossa Senhora da Gadalupe, which attracts lots of locals and tourists.

Santo António Festival is an annual event which takes place in the civil parish of Santo António da serra, on 13th June.

Nossa Senhora da Graça Festival is one of the most important festivals in Porto Santo Island. This religious festival takes places in the middle of August (14th to 15th), and attracts hundreds of followers and admirers.Besides the liturgy and procession, there is also great entertainment and delicious gastronomic specialties.Some of the most important specialties are the famous and well-known "Bolo do Caco", "Pão com Chouriço",grilled chicken, wine and other drink specialties.

São João Festivities. Porto Santo celebrates the start of the summer festival season on the island with the São João Festivities. These include many cultural and folk events, including the traditional "marchas populares" (processions). This is one of the main religious events in Porto Santo Island.

The feast of the Blessed Sacrament happens at Arco de São Jorge parish in July.This party is on honor of Lord Blessed Sacrament here every year happen, in one of the days of the party, the mass with procession. Are days of traditional party in north of the island.

The Feast of Nossa Senhora da Natividade happens in Faial parish in September.This feast aims to honor the Nossa Senhora da Natividade because she is the patroness of this parish. Is one of the biggest feast in this partish.

The Feast of Santíssimo Sacramento happens in all parishes in Madeira Island.In Faial parish this feast is always with lots of tradition and animation where attracts all the people of the parish and surroundings.

Source: http://www.madeirarural.com