Madeira is gearing up for Carnival 2026, set to take place from 11 to 22 February. A highlight of the island's annual events calendar, the celebrations will bring music, colour and energy to Funchal and surrounding towns.

The main event is the Grand Allegoric Parade, which will be held on Saturday, 14 February and will see the streets of Funchal taken over by more than 1,500 performers, elaborately decorated floats and dazzling costumes. Set to pulsating rhythms, the evening parade delivers a high-energy spectacle that rivals some of the world's most famous Carnival celebrations.

On Carnival Tuesday, 17 February, the spotlight turns to the Cortejo Trapalhão (Slapstick Parade), a playful, satirical procession that welcomes locals and visitors alike. Inspired by spontaneous parades in the early 20th century, the event celebrates creativity and humour through costumes ranging from social and political satire to traditional and character-themed disguises. Open to individuals and groups, the parade features several categories and awards cash prizes to winners.

Running throughout the festivities from 11 to 22 February, the Carnival Market will take place along the Central Walkway of Avenida Arriaga, one of the liveliest streets in the city, known for its cafés, shops and cultural atmosphere. The market features a wide range of regional products, including fresh fruit, the emblematic Madeira Wine, sugarcane honey and other local goods, alongside traditional Carnival delicacies. Decorated with colourful Carnival motifs and filled with music, the market offers a welcoming setting that reflects the cheerful spirit of the Madeiran Carnival.

With its mild winter climate and rich cultural programme, Carnival 2026 is an ideal time to experience Madeira at its most colourful.

For more information on the event, please visit the Madeira Promotion Bureau website:

https://visitmadeira.com/en/whats-on/events/carnival/

ENDS

About Madeira. Belongs to all

• Madeira. Belongs to all is the consumer-facing brand of the Madeira Promotion Bureau, which aims to promote Madeira as a tourist destination to consumers and the travel trade.
• Madeira, otherwise known as 'the islands of eternal spring', is just a short, three-and-a-half-hour flight from London. It covers 740km2 and has a population of only 260,000. On the same latitude as Morocco, the Atlantic archipelago has a sub-tropical climate, a rich volcanic soil and a unique eco-system. It is one of the only places in the planet where banana trees grow next to vineyards.
• Located approximately 1,000km from the European mainland – and just 500km from the African continent – Madeira enjoys an amazingly mild climate, ranging from 25°c in the summer to 17°c in the winter, with very mild average temperatures and moderate humidity.
• In 1999, Madeira's indigenous forest, the Laurissilva, was declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. The Madeira Natural Park is a protected area that covers around two-thirds of Madeira Island's territory, equivalent to 67% of its surface.

For more information, visit www.visitmadeira.com / @visitmadeira

About Madeira Promotion Bureau

Madeira Promotion Bureau aims to promote Madeira in the national and international markets.

For media information and images, please contact Hume Whitehead Ltd:

Richard Hume (richard@humewhitehead.co.uk/   +44(0) 20 3375 4051

Laura Boo (laura@humewhitehead.co.uk / +44(0) 20 3375 4056