The Christmas lights in Funchal have been up since early October and, as always, they’ll be switched on the first day of December, according to the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Environment and Culture of Madeira.
Government officials say the illuminations, running until the early hours of the 8th of January, will light up the main avenues and streets of all Funchal parishes, as well as public buildings, monuments, squares, churches, fortresses, palaces, streams, and gardens.
In a press statement, the Regional Secretariat informs that the official inauguration ceremony of the Christmas lights is scheduled for 19:00 on the 1st of December, in Praça do Povo. In addition to this, a new feature will include an LED screen that will project videos about Madeira and provide a platform for upcoming shows.
This will be followed by a concert by Beatriz Caboz, with the Funchal Jazz Orchestra, which marks the official start of this Christmas programme organised by the Regional Government.
After the inauguration, the lights will be turned on each night at 18:00 and switched off at 01:00 on most days except for the 23rd, 24th, and 31st of December, where the lights will be turned off at 06:00. This changes on the 25th and 30th of December, where the illuminations will be switched off at 04:00.
In Porto Santo, the city of Vila Baleira will be illuminated from the 1st of December to the 7th of January. The lights will remain on between 18:00 and 01:00, except for the 24th and 31st of December, when the lights will remain on until 04:00.
This year’s illuminations will be similar to last year’s, as this public tender lasts for two years.
The Regional Government (PSD/CDS-PP) has launched two public tenders, worth a total of 3.6 million euros (excluding VAT), for the design, construction, assembly, and disassembly of Christmas and New Year’s lights in 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 and Carnival this year and next.
In a statement, the Secretary of Tourism points out that “no major changes are planned in the decorative concept,” considering that last year’s design was very well received by the public and consolidated the image of Madeiran Christmas.
Later remarking:
“This competition model, valid for two years, allows to guarantee the continuity and artistic quality of the Christmas lights, optimising resources and ensuring the timely execution of the work. Among the main decorative elements, the ‘Celestial Path of Storms’, on the Funchal Pier – an immersive and interactive installation with augmented reality technology that invites visitors to explore a path of lights, sounds, and visual effects.”
The area between Rua Fernão de Ornelas and the municipal garden is once again inspired by the Cleopatra butterfly, “an endemic species known for its natural luminosity.”
In Praça do Povo, an interactive 30 metre Christmas tree will be installed again, decorated with suspended pieces that simulate a musical score and integrate augmented reality experiences.”
“Other emblematic spaces, such as Praça Colombo, Praça CR7, and Avenida Sá Carneiro, will also maintain their thematic installations, including the ceiling of luminous jellyfish over the promenade,” says the Regional Secretariat for Tourism. Eduardo Jesus also points out that the current project focuses on sustainability and energy efficiency, using exclusively LED technology and recyclable materials.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
