12 Doubts about Madeira Flower Festival you should clarify
Home » Events »This post contains all the information you want to know about the 2022 Madeira Flower Festival. I’ll add content regularly, so be sure to check for updates. (Last updated on 05.05.22).
When people think about the Madeira Flower Festival, they imagine a happy and colourful event. Nevertheless, many important questions are still not found answered anywhere. So, today I want to share the best advice and answers to all frequently asked questions about the Flower Festival in Madeira. And you won’t want to miss anything, that’s for sure!
The questions I often get asked are:
1. What is the Madeira Flower Festival?
2. When is the Flower Festival?
3. What time does the parade begin and finish? How long does the parade last?
4. How long before do you need to find a position to stand? Is there a bus we can catch? Will taxis be working?
5. Where would be the best place to get a good view of the parade?
6. Flower Festival tickets: where can I book a seat for the flower grandstand? How much is a ticket?
7. Where do we need to go to see flower carpets and the Wall of Hope?
8. How do we find the schedule of the Flower Festival?
9. COVID-19 — Will the Flower Festival go ahead?
10. On average, what is the weather like in Funchal in May?
11. When is the flower festival next year?
12. Is it worth going to the flower festival?
To answer that, keep reading, but first, let me tell you:
1. What is the Madeira Flower Festival?
The Madeira Flower Festival is an annual event that attracts hundreds of spectators worldwide and is one of the most beautiful events you may ever see!
This glorious Flower Festival celebrates the start of Spring and the lush growth of plants, which is more intense in Madeira because of the subtropical climate.
The preparations begin many months before, with the festival theme, fabrics and flower choice and the design of the costumes, flower carpets, and floats. After that, a lot of work goes into making the decorations, costumes, and the dancer’s training.
How do we celebrate?
Madeira is very busy for most of the season. The celebration starts on Saturday. Thousands of children gather in Praça do Município Square to take part in the “construction” of the flower wall — the Wall of Hope. On the second day, there is a magnificent parade with dancers dressed up in flower costumes and a display of dozens of allegorical floats covered with a sea of flowers and foliage. It is stunning!
Other activities during this time include making flower carpets in the streets, folklore performances, flower exhibitions, workshops, classical music concerts, and a street market.
One weekend after the Grand Parade, Flower Groups perform in specific locations with stands. Usually, there is a classic car parade, still in context with the flower theme.
There is a contest for the best shop window decoration with flowers, flower exhibitions placed in strategic locations in many villages around the island and flower displays in the hotels.
Come and experience the amazing Madeira Flower Festival. You can’t miss it.
2. When is the Flower Festival?
Because of the pandemic, the dates have changed from 2020 to 2021 but will continue as usual two weeks after Easter.
This year’s Funchal Flower Festival will be held from May 5th to 29th, with the theme “Madeira, the Magic of Flowers”.
- The two main parades are always held on the first weekend (Saturday and Sunday) and should not be missed.
- The children’s parade and the Wall of Hope are on Saturday 7th, from 10:00.
- The main parade is on Sunday the 8th at 16:30.
3. What time does the parade begin and finish? How long does the parade last?
The Sunday parade starts at 16:30 and ends around 18:30. Depending on the number of participants (around 1500), it lasts about two and a half hours to three hours from one end to the other (1.5 kilometres)
4. How long before do you need to find a position to stand? Is there a bus we can catch? Will taxis be working?
Kindly note that there are no standing places, so everyone must remain seated.
If you are unsure when to walk into the city on Sunday to see the parade and do not want to miss it, you need to arrive 30 minutes earlier. It will depend on your hotel’s location and the transportation you will use to get there, to understand when you should leave.
Some hotels offer courtesy buses, so ask about the times at the reception.
There are frequent buses on the main road in the hotel area. Any bus marked “Centro” will take you to the city centre. Before and during large events, public transportation is often cancelled or diverted, and some roads close during the parade. Ask reception for the time and location of the bus stops.
It may be challenging to get a taxi or bus to return to the hotel because many people will want to catch one after the parade.
5. Where would be the best place to get a good view of the parade?
There are only two options to watch it on Sunday afternoon:
- Comfortably seated on the grandstand.
-
Standing with the crowds, free, with the inconvenience of having people in front of you limiting visibility and fatigue because of the time standing;
Note: please check number 9 on this post for the COVID-19 measures update.
Best place to be? Anywhere along the route. There are stand seats at various points between the Empresa de Eletricidade da Madeira (near the Cable car station, in the Old Town), where it starts, Avenida do Mar (seafront) and Avenida Sá Carneiro (near the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum), where it ends.
6. Madeira Flower Festival tickets: where can I book a seat for the flower grandstand? How much is a ticket?
To attend the Great Allegoric Flower Parade, you need to purchase tickets for the stands. These are available in several places:
- Tourist Information Office in the centre of Funchal, but they will soon sell it out. Schedule: 2nd to 7th: 9:00 – 20:00 | 8th: 09:00 – 15:30).
- Associação de Animação Geringonça: bancadasgeringonca@gmail.com
- Retoiça – Associação Cultural, Desportiva e Recreativa: madeiratribune@gmail.com
- Associação de Batucada da Madeira: batucadamadeira@gmail.com
- Associação FT — Fitness Team: associacaoft@hotmail.com
- If requested in advance, your hotel may arrange for you.
It costs 30 Euros per seat and includes a bottle of water and a hat.
Your ticket will have a stand and seat number, which will help you find the exact spot where you need to go.
Tip: Book in advance.
7. Where do we need to go to see flower carpets and the wall of flowers?
They lay out the flower carpets along the Avenida Arriaga, between the fountain roundabout at the bottom of Santa Catarina Park and the Cathedral. If you encounter any difficulty finding it, ask anyone for directions.
The Wall of Hope Ceremony usually begins at Avenida Arriaga and involves hundreds of children. They walk from there to the “Praça do Município”, where the parade ends.
The “Praça do Município” (Municipal Square) and the “Largo do Colégio” (Colégio Square) are both the same square with two different names.
8. How do we find the schedule of the Flower Festival?
For those who visit Madeira to witness this rare beauty event, here’s some helpful Flower Festival information:
- The flower arrangements exhibition and the flower
carpets are always on Friday - The Wall of Hope is always on Saturday.
- The Parade is always on Sunday.
If you want to avoid missing anything and want to know what’s going on, where and when, and the things to look for in Funchal besides the parade, here’s a detailed programme of events for this year’s flower festival.
Madeira Flower Festival information, May 2022:
5th to 29th | 10:00 – 22:00 or 24:00 | Exhibits and Entertainment | Avenida Arriaga, Avenida do Mar, Praça do Povo, Largo da Restauração, Largo do Corpo Santo, Heliport
- Flower Market and regional cuisine and traditional drinks
- Flower Exhibition
- Embroidery or handicraft Exhibitions
- Concerts
- Traditional music (Folklore)
- Floral carpets
Beautiful carpets of fresh flowers along Avenida Arriaga and in the Old Town (Largo do Corpo Santo) are made by various hotel groups, companies, associations, and parishes. It originated from the decoration of religious processions.
Tips:
- You can watch the making of the flower carpets on the Friday morning before the inauguration.
- You will find the Municipal Garden on the same avenue, which is worth looking at.
5th Thursday
Flower carpets | Avenida Arriaga + Largo do Corpo Santo (Old Town)| Avenida Arriaga + Largo do Corpo Santo (Old Town)
10:00 – 19:00 | Madeira Handicraft Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
19:00 – 22:00 | Flower Exhibition and Contest | Praça do Povo
6th Friday
10:00 – 19:00 | Madeira Handicraft Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
10:00 – 24:00 (Fri + Sat) | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga | Avenida Arriaga
11:00 + 15:00 | Folklore | Avenida Arriaga
18:00 + 21:00 | Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
21:00 – 22:00 | Theatrical and Music Staging” | Largo da Restauração
7th Saturday
Living Flower Statues | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 13:00 | “Wall of Hope” | Municipal Square
Saturday morning, schoolchildren walk to the Praça do Município (Municipal square), to place their flowers in a vertical ‘Wall of Hope’ and release white doves as a symbol of hope and peace for the future. They usually demolish the wall of Hope after the Sunday Parade.
10:00 – 19:00 | Madeira Handicraft Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
10:00 – 24:00 (Fri + Sat) | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
11:00 + 15:00 | Folklore | Avenida Arriaga
18:00 + 21:00 | Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
17:00 + 21:00 | Flower Festival Concert + Tuna Festival | Madeira Casino Congress Centre
21:00 – 22:00 | Theatrical and Music Staging | Largo da Restauração
8th Sunday
Living Flower Statues | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 19:00 | Madeira Handicraft Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
11:00 + 15:00 | Folklore | Avenida Arriaga
16:30 | Flower Allegoric Parade | Avenida do Mar
The Madeira Flower Festival Parade is a spectacular sight. Twelve groups of dancers accompany each float, totalling some participants, all in amazing costumes. The number of flowers is unbelievable. You will need to be at least 30 minutes earlier to get to your place.
20:00 until 9th 18:00 | Allegoric Floats Exhibition | Pier 8
The floats are displayed after the parade until the next day at18:00. It is astonishing.
21:00 | Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
Tips:
- You can plan to go on a tour on Sunday morning. It will make you walk and avoid sitting for long periods, like during the afternoon parade. You can still get off at Funchal for lunch and attend the parade. You can book the tours I recommend hereunder:
9th Monday
Living Flower Statues | Avenida Arriaga
Until 18:00 | Allegoric Floats Exhibition | Pier 8
10:00 – 19:00 | Madeira Handicraft Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
11:00 | Folklore | Avenida Arriaga
20:00 – Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
10th Tuesday
Living Flower Statues | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 19:00 | Madeira Handicraft Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
18:00 | Folklore | Avenida Arriaga
20:00 – Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
11th Wednesday
Living Flower Statues | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 19:00 | Madeira Handicraft Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
11 + 15:00 | Folklore | Avenida Arriaga
20:00 – Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
12th Thursday
Living Flower Statues | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 19:00 | Madeira Handicraft Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 20:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
18:00 | Folklore | Avenida Arriaga
20:00 | Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
13th Friday
10:00 – 19:00 | Madeira Handicraft Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 20:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
10:00 – 24:00 (Fri + Sat) | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
11:00 + 15:00 | 18:00 | Folklore | Avenida Arriaga
15:00 | Wall of Solidarity | Praça do Povo
18:00 + 21:00 | Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
21:00 – 22:00 | Theatrical and Music Staging | Largo da Restauração
14th Saturday
10:00 – 19:00 | Madeira Handicraft Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 20:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
10:00 – 24:00 (Fri + Sat) | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
11:00 + 15:00 | Folklore | Avenida Arriaga
15:00 + 16:30 + 18:00 (1 hour) | 1st Performance out of 3 by “Flower groups” | Heliport
There will be 3 shows each day, starting at 15:00, 16:30 and 18:00. Each show performed by the various groups of the grand parade lasts one hour.
The tickets are free and available at the information desk at Avenida Arriaga. Limited capacity.
18:00 + 21:00 | Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
21:00 – 22:00 | Theatrical and Music Staging | Largo da Restauração
15th Sunday
10:00 – 19:00 | Madeira Handicraft Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 20:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
11:00 + 15:00 | Folklore | Avenida Arriaga
16:30 – 17:30 | Madeira Flower Classic Auto Parade | Avenida do Mar (Display until 18:00 near CR7 Museum)
18:00 + 21:00 | Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
16Th Monday
Living Flower Statues | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 19:00 | Madeira Handicraft Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 20:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
20:00 | Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
17th Tuesday
Living Flower Statues | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 19:00 – Madeira Embroidery Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 20:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
18:00 | Folklore | Avenida Arriaga
20:00 | Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
18th Wednesday
Living Flower Statues | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 19:00 – Madeira Embroidery Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 20:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
11:00 + 15:00 | Folklore | Avenida Arriaga
20:00 | Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
19th Thursday
Living Flower Statues | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 19:00 – Madeira Embroidery Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 20:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
15:00 + 18:00 | Folklore | Avenida Arriaga
19:00 – 1st out of 4 Flower concerts | Santa Luzia Gardens (Triângulo)
These concerts have the particularity of being performed in a unique and beautiful environment, surrounded by nature.
Tickets are available at http://www.retoica.com, with a limited seating capacity.
20:00 | Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
20th Friday
10:00 – 19:00 – Madeira Embroidery Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
10:00 – 24:00 (Fri + Sat) | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
11:00 + 15:00 | Folklore | Avenida Arriaga
18:00 + 21:00 | Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
19:00 – 2nd out of 4 Flower concerts | Madeira Botanical Gardens (Varejenta)
Read the information about the first concert on the 19th.
21:00 | Concert by the Empress Sissy Hungarian – “Flower Fantasy” Salon Orchestra | Heliport
The tickets are free and available at the information desk at Avenida Arriaga. Limited capacity.21:00 – 22:00 | Theatrical and Music Staging (Fri+Sat) | Largo da Restauração
21:00 – 22:00 | Theatrical and Music Staging (Fri+Sat) | Largo da Restauração
21st Saturday
10:00 – 19:00 – Madeira Embroidery Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
10:00 – 24:00 (Fri + Sat) | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
11:00 + 15:00 | Folklore | Avenida Arriaga
15:00 + 16:30 + 18:00 (1 hour) | 2nd Performance out of 3 by “Flower groups” | Heliport18:00
Read the information about the first performance on the 14th.
17:00 – 3rd out of 4 Flower concerts | Roseiral – Arco de São Jorge (Senna Collective)
Read the information about the first concert on the 19th.
18:00 | 1st out of 2 Madeira Flower Collection | Quinta Magnólia
This event showcases original fashion works by local designers inspired by flowers. Limited entry.
18:00 + 21:00 | Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
21:00 – 22:00 | Theatrical and Music Staging (Fri+Sat) | Largo da Restauração
22nd Sunday
10:00 – 19:00 – Madeira Embroidery Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
11:00 + 15:00 | Folklore | Avenida Arriaga
14:00 – 17:30 | Monte do Imperator “Ethnographic parade” | Monte
15:00 + 16:30 + 18:00 (1 hour) | 3rd Performance out of 3 by “Flower groups” | Heliport
Read the information about the first performance on the 14th.
17:00 – 4th out of 4 Flower concerts | São Vicente Caves (EcoTrio)
Read the information about the first concert on the 19th.
18:00 | 2nd out of 2 Madeira Flower Collection | Quinta Magnólia
This event showcases original fashion works by local designers inspired by flowers. Limited entry.
18:00 + 21:00 | Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
23rd Monday
Living Flower Statues | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 19:00 – Madeira Embroidery Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
11:00 + 15:00 | Folklore | Avenida Arriaga
20:00 | Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
24th Tuesday
Living Flower Statues | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 19:00 – Madeira Embroidery Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
18:00 | Folklore | Avenida Arriaga
20:00 | Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
25th Wednesday
Living Flower Statues | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 19:00 – Madeira Embroidery Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
18:00 | Folklore | Avenida Arriaga
20:00 | Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
26th Thursday
Living Flower Statues | Avenida Arriaga
Last weekend | Flower Installations| Near CR/ Museum + Largo do Corpo Santo + Entrance Funchal Pier+ Next to Madeira Legislative Assembly
10:00 – 19:00 – Madeira Embroidery Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
18:00 | Folklore | Avenida Arriaga
20:00 | Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
27th Friday
Last weekend | Flower Installations| Near CR/ Museum + Largo do Corpo Santo + Entrance Funchal Pier+ Next to Madeira Legislative Assembly
10:00 – 19:00 – Madeira Embroidery Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
10:00 – 24:00 (Fri + Sat) | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
11:00 + 15:00 | Folklore | Avenida Arriaga
18:00 + 21:00 | Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
18:00 – 23:00 | Madeira Classic Car Revival | Praça do Povo
21:00 – 22:00 | Theatrical and Music Staging (Fri+Sat) | Largo da Restauração
22:00 (45 minutes) | Dance and Circus Art “Flore Show” | Municipal Garden Amphitheatre
28th Saturday
Last weekend | Flower Installations| Near CR/ Museum + Largo do Corpo Santo + Entrance Funchal Pier+ Next to Madeira Legislative Assembly
10:00 – 19:00 – Madeira Embroidery Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
10:00 – 23:00 | Madeira Classic Car Revival | Praça do Povo
10:00 – 24:00 (Fri + Sat) | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
18:00 + 21:00 | Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
18:00 – 23:00 | Madeira Classic Car Revival | Praça do Povo
21:00 – 22:00 | Theatrical and Music Staging (Fri+Sat) | Largo da Restauração
22:00 (45 minutes) | Dance and Circus Art “Flore Show” | Municipal Garden Amphitheatre
29th Sunday
Last weekend |Flower Installations| Near CR/ Museum + Largo do Corpo Santo + Entrance Funchal Pier+ Next to Madeira Legislative Assembly
10:00 – 18:00 | Madeira Classic Car Revival | Praça do Povo
10:00 – 19:00 – Madeira Embroidery Exhibition | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Market | Avenida Arriaga
10:00 – 22:00 | Flower Exhibition and contest | Praça do Povo
18:00 + 21:00 | Music performances | Avenida Arriaga Concert Pavilion
18:00 – 23:00 | Madeira Classic Car Revival | Praça do Povo
22:00 (45 minutes) | Dance and Circus Art “Flore Show” | Municipal Garden Amphitheatre
Last-minute updates are likely to be announced on the Madeira Tourism Official website, but I will keep this post updated.
You can also check out this link and download the programme in several languages: https://luxmadeira.com/madeira-flower-festival-full-programme/
I’m OFFERING a simple PDF (1-sheet with the entire programme) to download. Fill out the contact form below to receive it.
If you do not see the email in a few hours, please check your “junk mail” or “spam” folders.
9. COVID-19 — Will the Flower Festival go ahead?
The flower festival will go ahead, especially as 91% of the Madeiran population is vaccinated.
The Government will carry out measures to prevent and contain the pandemic:
- A mask is mandatory from the age of 6 for access, circulation or staying indoors and when the physical distance recommended by the health authorities is impractical, except in exceptional cases (sports, hikes, health problems).
- Frequent hand hygiene
- Frequent surface sanitizing
10. When is the flower festival next year?
According to the Visit Madeira website, the 2023 Flower Festival will be held from April 27th to May 21st.
Madeira Flower Festival 2023: April 27th to May 21st — Exhibits and Entertainment in downtown Funchal, April 29th — The Wall of Hope Ceremony, April 30th — Great Allegoric Flower Parade, May 6th — Madeira Flower Collection, 11th to 14th May — Flower concerts, 18th to 21st May — Flower sculptures
11. On average, what is the weather like in Funchal in May?
It’s a lovely time of the year to visit Madeira. We have been fortunate with pleasant weather too (annual average: 20,9 °C). However, it may get a bit chilly on some days. In addition, if you like flowers, now is an excellent time to visit the gardens.
12. Is it worth going to the flower festival in Madeira?
Yes, it is worth it! The Flower Festival is the most famous event in Madeira, and you will experience a fantastic atmosphere and a fantastic spectacle. Like all events held in Madeira, the locals (Madeirans) will redouble their efforts so that everyone can enjoy it. If this is your first visit to Madeira, I believe this will not be your last. I know you will like this wonderful island.
It is the time of the year when nature’s paintbox is fully functional, making a more colourful Madeira.
Don’t forget your camera. It will be a fantastic month, not to be missed! Follow our social media pages for Madeira Flower Festival photos and more Flower Festival information. And please leave your opinion below or email us if you need help to plan your trip.
I hope you will be here! Enjoy your holiday and Madeira experiences.
