If you’re wondering what to do in Funchal in December, you’re in for an extraordinary holiday experience. Madeira Island truly comes alive during the festive season. From early December through to the New Year, the capital city of Funchal transforms into a luminous winter wonderland, offering warm temperatures, vibrant celebrations and unforgettable memories.
Whether you’re travelling with family, friends, as a couple or on your own, this festive period is a perfect time to visit. And crucially, having the freedom to explore at your own pace makes a big difference. That’s why renting a car with 7M Rent a Car is such a smart move, because it gives you full flexibility to enjoy the lights, the markets and the festivities across the island.
In this article we’ll explore what to do in Funchal in December in depth: from Christmas markets and lights to midnight masses and spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks. By the end, you’ll know why this destination deserves a spot on your holiday list.
Christmas Lights and Illumination
One of the first things you’ll notice when you arrive is the dazzling city-wide illumination. For visitors asking what to do in Funchal in December, simply walking the streets under thousands of twinkling lights is an unforgettable experience. Starting typically on 1st December and lasting until early January, the city’s major avenues are lit from around 06:00p.m. to 01:00a.m..
The light displays include illuminated palm trees, tunnels of light, oversized decorations and festive installations. Walking the centre of Funchal by night becomes one of the best things to do in Funchal in December: you’ll find plenty of photo-worthy scenes, festive stalls, and happy crowds. With your rental car, you can also explore outer neighbourhoods and viewpoints to view the lights from above, giving you both the ground-level spectacle and panoramic views.
Christmas Markets and The Market Night
Another highlight for anyone thinking about what to do in Funchal in December is the Christmas market scene. A key location is the Avenida Arriaga Christmas Market called Placa Central which features small chalet-style stalls offering regional crafts, food, mulled wine, honey-cake and other festive treats.
Equally iconic is the Night Market event (Noite do Mercado) held on 23rd December around the historic Mercado dos Lavradores. On this night the surrounding streets are pedestrianised, stalls and bars stay open late, locals gather to shop their last Christmas items, sing carols and celebrate in the open air.
The festive atmosphere makes this market night a must-visit for families and friends. You’ll find fresh produce, flowers, traditional drinks like poncha and local sweets.
After the market, with your 7M Rent a Car vehicle, you’re free to continue exploring or retreat to your accommodation at your convenience.
Traditional Christmas Flavours of Madeira
One of the most delightful parts of celebrating the festive season in Madeira is undoubtedly the food. For travellers looking for authentic cultural experiences, discovering Madeira’s Christmas cuisine is one of the most rewarding things to do in Funchal in December. The island’s gastronomy during this season is rich in tradition, flavour, and heartwarming comfort foods shared with family and friends.
Bolo de Mel
The Bolo de Mel (Madeira Sugarcane Syrup Cake) is the true symbol of Madeira’s Christmas table. This dense, dark cake, made with sugarcane honey, spices, nuts, and dried fruits, can last for months without losing its flavour. Traditionally baked in early December, it’s said to taste even better with time.
Locals often break it by hand instead of cutting it, symbolising good luck and family unity. When you walk through Funchal’s Christmas markets, the irresistible aroma of freshly baked Bolo de Mel fills the air, tempting visitors to take a piece home.
Broas de Mel and Broas de Coco
No Madeiran Christmas is complete without Broas de Mel (honey biscuits) and Broas de Coco (coconut cookies). These small, crunchy treats pair perfectly with a cup of local coffee or liqueur. Sold in charming bakeries and Christmas stalls, they’re also popular as gifts for friends and neighbours. Their distinct flavours (spicy and sweet for the honey version, delicate and tropical for the coconut) reflect Madeira’s diverse culinary roots.
Canja
As the nights in December get cooler, families gather around bowls of Canja, a traditional chicken soup made with rice or small pasta.
Light, soothing, and nourishing, it’s a common starter on Christmas Eve. This simple yet comforting dish balances out the rich flavours of the season’s heavier meals.
Carne Vinha d’Alhos
Perhaps the most iconic savoury dish of Madeira’s Christmas is Carne Vinha d’Alhos. It’s pork marinated for several days in a mixture of wine, garlic, and spices, then cooked until tender and aromatic. The name literally means “meat in wine and garlic,” and it fills every Madeiran home with its delicious scent in the days before Christmas. It’s often served with homemade bread or “bolo do caco,” and leftovers become the star of many holiday breakfasts.
Sampling these delicacies is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience the island’s holiday traditions. Whether at a restaurant, a market stall, or a local bakery, each bite tells a story of heritage and family celebration.
Missas do Parto and Missa do Galo
If you are wondering what to do in Funchal in December beyond markets and lights, then consider joining the religious traditions that mark the season. One such tradition is the Missas do Parto (“Childbirth Masses”), a series of dawn masses held daily from about 16st December to 24th December in many parishes. These early-morning services honour the Virgin Mary and are often followed by social gatherings with sandwiches of “Carne de Vinha d’Alhos” and homemade liquors.
Another key moment is the Missa do Galo (Midnight Mass) on Christmas Eve. Attending this liturgy in a beautifully decorated Madeiran church adds both cultural depth and emotional resonance to your holiday experience.
The lights, festive decorations and community spirit make it stand out among other things to do in Funchal in December.
Whether you are religious or simply curious, these events offer insight into the local culture and a quieter contrast to the bright commercial festivities.
City-Wide Festivities and Carol Concerts
Between mid-December and New Year’s, Funchal hosts a variety of festive shows and concerts. For instance, the Christmas Choir Festival runs across several churches offering choral music, folklore, and traditional songs.
The streets and squares also host live music, especially in central plazas like Praça do Povo or Largo do Município, combining entertainment with the ambiance of December in Funchal. If you rent a car, you can easily move between venues and catch different performances across the city and surrounding districts.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
One of the most unforgettable answers to the question what to do in Funchal in December is the New Year’s Eve celebration. At midnight on 31st December, Funchal’s bay becomes the stage for one of the largest fireworks displays in the world.
The spectacle typically lasts around eight minutes but leaves a memorable impact. People gather at promenade points like Avenida do Mar, Praia Almirante Reis and even climb to higher vantage points for panoramic views. To make the most of the evening, arriving early is key. With your own rental car, you can secure a strategic spot, bring a picnic or stop at a viewpoint outside the central crowd.
At the stroke of midnight you’ll be surrounded by rockets, light reflections across the bay and joy all around, an iconic way to ring in the new year on Madeira.
Festive Drives Around the Island
While Funchal holds the main events, having transportation means you can extend your festive experience throughout the island. For example, you can drive to neighbouring towns to enjoy Christmas light displays, smaller markets and local traditional menus with less crowd. For visitors asking what to do in Funchal in December, expanding to the wider region enhances the adventure.
Many municipalities switch on their Christmas lights at different dates for instance Santa Cruz lit up in late November, and other towns like Calheta, Ribeira Brava and São Vicente hold “market nights” in the run-up to Christmas.
By renting a car with 7M Rent a Car you can turn a single night in Funchal into a festive road-trip: visit a mountain viewpoint at noon, attend the market at dusk and finish with a drive back under the illuminated city streets.
Why a Rental Car Makes a Difference
Navigating the festive season in Funchal can become much smoother if you’re mobile:
- Arrive early at key venues to avoid parking shortages.
- Choose off-peak hours (late afternoon) for enjoying lights with fewer crowds.
- Use your rental car to explore local viewpoint drives and then return to the city core.
- Stay flexible: schedules for concerts, masses or market nights might vary, so, having a car gives you freedom.
- For New Year’s Eve: park outside the central bay area and walk in, or stay up the mountain for a quieter view.
7M Rent a Car provides vehicles suited to Madeira’s winding roads, whether you’re traveling with family, friends, a partner or solo. The freedom to move when you want, makes your holiday extra special.
Conclusion
When you consider what to do in Funchal in December, the list is long: stroll beneath festive lights, browse Christmas markets, join ancient masses, listen to carols, enjoy street entertainment and witness one of the world’s most spectacular New Year fireworks. Madeira in December is warm in climate and full of festive spirit.
Rent a car with 7M Rent a Car, discover Funchal’s festive heart and then drive out to explore the broader island’s winter-holiday charms. With flexibility, comfort and your own schedule, your December visit becomes not just a getaway, but a genuine holiday experience.
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