Porto Santo events and festivals

🎭 Christmas plays by the schools

📍 Vila Baleira — Sporting Clube hall · 16 December 2025 · Free

The Christmas plays put on by the primary schools open the festive season. The 16 December 2025 edition was held in the Sporting Clube do Porto Santo hall, with the play 'O Duende Riscas e o Conto de Natal'.

🏃 Volta à Cidade — Eduardo Faustino race

📍 Vila Baleira — start at Largo das Palmeiras · 17 December 2025

An athletics race organised by the BRGym gym with the town hall's support, starting from the Largo das Palmeiras, in several age categories. The thirteenth edition, on 17 December 2025, drew about fifty athletes. It sits within the Christmas festivities, between the school plays and the Christmas market.

🎁 Christmas market

📍 Vila Baleira — town centre · 18 December 2025 · Free

A Christmas market in the town centre, open in the evenings: local produce and crafts, in a programme built around the island's culture and shops. The 2025 edition opened on 18 December.

🎶 Cantar os Reis

📍 Vila Baleira · 5 January 2026 · Free

A Madeiran tradition also celebrated in Porto Santo in early January. Musical groups sing from door to door, followed by a festive gathering on the main square.

🧹 Santo Amaro — sweeping the cupboards

📍 Across the island · 15 January 2026 · Free

On 15 January, Santo Amaro closes the Christmas cycle. The day before, people 'sweep the cupboards': the sweets and leftovers of the festive season are finished off, among family and neighbours.

🎯 Hunters' gathering

📍 Porto Santo · 7 February 2026

The island's annual hunters' gathering, organised by the municipality; the edition of 7 February 2026 brought together about a hundred participants. Hunting matters on Porto Santo both for the number of people who practise it and because it brings visitors out of season.

🎭 Porto Santo Carnival

📍 Vila Baleira · 14 – 17 February 2026 · Free

Carnival parade in Vila Baleira — smaller than Funchal's but authentic and participatory. Masked groups, music, Cortejo Trapalhão open to everyone. A festive village atmosphere.

🍲 Soup Festival

📍 Vila Baleira · 20 – 21 February 2026

On 20 and 21 February 2026, the third Festival de Sopas puts the flavours of the land first: the island's traditional soups and dishes, cooked as part of a partnership between the Porto Santo folklore group association and the municipality. Its stated aim is to promote the local produce of a territory listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

🏃 Porto Santo Trail Run

📍 Porto Santo — Start in Vila Baleira · 19 April 2026 · 25–40€ (registration)

A trail race on Porto Santo's official paths. A scenic circuit passing through Pico do Castelo, Pico do Facho and the northern cliffs. Distances of 10 km and 20 km. Views over the whole island from the summits. Registration opens in January.

🐟 Gastronomy Week

📍 Porto Santo Restaurants · 9 – 16 May 2026 · Restaurant prices

Porto Santo's restaurants offer special menus celebrating the local catch and the island's flavours. Lapas, espada, espetada, homemade bolo do caco, handcrafted poncha. Special prices, guest chefs from Funchal.

🎈 World Children's Day

📍 Vila Baleira · 1 June 2026 · Free

On 1 June the municipality puts on a morning of activities for every child on the island: shows, inflatables, face painting and gifts for primary and nursery pupils. The event is open to everyone.

🌿 Porto Santo Nature Days

📍 Porto Santo — Outdoors · 5 – 7 June 2026 · Free / Guided activities paid

Days dedicated to discovering the biodiversity of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Guided hikes in protected areas, early-morning birdwatching, snorkelling around Ilhéu da Cal, talks on endemic species. For families and nature lovers.

⛪ Santos Populares

📍 Vila Baleira · 12 – 29 June 2026 · Free

June in Porto Santo — the festivals of São João and São Pedro in the streets of Vila Baleira. Grilled sardines, poncha, traditional music, dancing. The authentic soul of the island in celebration.

🔥 São João — Municipal Feasts

📍 Vila Baleira — Palco Cidade and Alameda Infante D. Henrique · 14 – 24 June 2026 · Free

The island's biggest festival, from 14 to 24 June 2026: eleven days of music, culture and sport. The musical programme opens on 14 June on the Palco Cidade; the food-and-drink barracas set up on the Alameda Infante D. Henrique from 19 to 24 June. Tradition has the São João altar raised and the fountains decorated with cane and poplar, as the old islanders did. 24 June is the municipal holiday.

💃 São João Popular Marches

📍 Vila Baleira — town centre streets · 23 June 2026 · Free

The high point of the municipal feasts: on the night of 23 June, groups of costumed performers parade through the town's main streets to popular music. The town hall opens registration for marchers in spring.

🏛️ Anniversary of the municipality

📍 Vila Baleira — Town Hall · 24 June 2026 · Free

On 24 June, the municipal holiday, Porto Santo marks the creation of its municipality, established in 1835: 2026 was the 191st anniversary. The ceremonies close the Festas do Concelho.

🐟 São Pedro — procession and fish auction

📍 Campo de Baixo — São Pedro chapel · 29 June 2026 · Free

On 29 June, the feast of Saint Peter, patron of fishermen: a procession sets out from Ribeiro Salgado beach to the chapel of São Pedro, and ends with the auction of the fish.

🎵 Summer Concerts — Beach

📍 Praia de Porto Santo · 1 July – 31 August 2026 · Free

All summer long, free concerts on the great beach of Porto Santo. World music, fado, MPB (Brazilian Popular Music), jazz. An open stage facing the Atlantic. Bring your towel and your poncha.

🎤 Summer entertainment

📍 Vila Baleira — Praça do Barqueiro · 1 July – 31 August 2026 · Free

From July to August the municipality programmes concerts and evening events for residents and visitors, mainly on the Praça do Barqueiro and the Palco Cidade. The month's programme is published each year by the town hall; the concert on City Day, 7 August, is its high point.

🍦 Festa das Lambecas

📍 Vila Baleira · 18 July 2026 · Free

Annual celebration of the local institution: Lambecas and its handmade ice creams. New flavours unveiled, entertainment, a "best ice-cream creation" contest. A friendly, family atmosphere outdoors in front of the legendary shop.

🎂 City Day

📍 Vila Baleira · 7 August 2026 · Free

On 7 August, Porto Santo celebrates its town: Vila Baleira was raised to the rank of cidade by regional legislative decree 18/96/M of 6 August 1996, and 2026 marked the thirtieth anniversary. The day is the high point of the summer programme, with a major concert and municipal tributes.

🎭 Porto Santo Cultural Week

📍 Vila Baleira — various venues · 14 – 22 August 2026 · Free / Paid depending on event

A week of shows, exhibitions and craft performances celebrating the island's unique identity. Traditional dance, local gastronomy, visual arts, talks on the history of the Age of Discovery. Active participation from the locals.

⛪ Festa de Nossa Senhora da Graça

📍 Vila Baleira · 15 August 2026 · Free

Porto Santo's patron-saint festival. A solemn procession from the church, open-air mass, popular entertainment, local gastronomy. A defining moment of the island's identity, celebrated by the whole community.

🪗 Folklore gathering

📍 Vila Baleira — Praça do Barqueiro · 22 August 2026 · Free

On 22 August 2026 at 9.30 p.m., the Praça do Barqueiro hosts the 22nd Encontro de Folclore do Porto Santo. Five groups performed that year, including the Porto Santo folklore group as host and an ensemble from Poland. The gathering is organised by the Junta de Freguesia.

⚽ SC Portosantense 1948 Presentation

📍 Largo das Palmeiras · 2 September 2026

Official presentation of the SC Portosantense 1948 sports club for the new season.

⛳ Golf — 9-hole circuit

📍 Porto Santo Golfe · 5 September 2026

Porto Santo Golfe tournament: 9-hole circuit.

🚶 Solidarity Walk

📍 Town Hall square · 5 September 2026

Solidarity walk at 10am — each participant is asked to bring a food item.

⛪ Festa do Santíssimo Sacramento

📍 Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Piedade · 5 – 6 September 2026

Religious feast at the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Piedade, from 6pm.

🏃 FAP Sports Activities

📍 Praia do Ribeiro Cochino · 6 September 2026

Sports activities organised by the FAP, 10am–12pm and 3pm–5pm.

⛳ Golf — Pares 3 tournament

📍 Porto Santo Golfe · 12 September 2026

Porto Santo Golfe tournament: Pares 3.

🎾 Circuito Padel Dourado — 4th stage

📍 Hotel Vila Baleira · 12 – 19 September 2026

Fourth stage of the Circuito Padel Dourado, at the Hotel Vila Baleira.

📚 Reading Club "Livros que Inspiram"

📍 Biblioteca Municipal · 12 September 2026

Session of the "Livros que Inspiram" reading club, at 6.30pm at the Municipal Library.

⛵ Christopher Columbus Festival

📍 Vila Baleira — Harbour & Town Centre · 17 – 20 September 2026 · Free

Porto Santo's flagship event. From 17 to 20 September 2026, the island travels back to the 15th century: historical re-enactment, music and theatre. Caravels in the harbour, a period market, historical dances and music. Thousands of visitors cross over from Funchal for the occasion.

📖 DRABL Activities — Columbus Festival

📍 Town Hall & Municipal Library · 17 – 19 September 2026

DRABL programme linked to the Columbus Festival: 17/09 guided visit to the exhibition in the Town Hall atrium (3pm); 18/09 children's workshop (10.30am, Biblioteca); 19/09 "Mar, Livros e Mãos à obra" (11am, Biblioteca).

⛳ Colombo's Golfe Trophy

📍 Porto Santo Golfe · 19 September 2026

Porto Santo Golfe tournament: Colombo's Golfe Trophy.

⛳ Golf — Torneio das Vindimas

📍 Porto Santo Golfe · 26 September 2026

Porto Santo Golfe tournament: Torneio das Vindimas (grape harvest).

⛳ Porto Santo Golf Open

📍 Porto Santo Golfe · 10 – 11 October 2026 · Registration + green fee

Annual tournament on the Seve Ballesteros course. Open to amateurs and professionals. Stableford format, 36 holes over 2 days. Porto Santo's characteristic wind adds a unique strategic challenge. The trophy is awarded at the gala dinner.

🎄 Christmas Lights

📍 Vila Baleira · 5 – 30 December 2026 · Free

Vila Baleira lights up for the festive season — strings of lights, a Christmas craft market, a living nativity scene on the main square. A warm and intimate atmosphere, very different from Funchal — Porto Santo keeps its authentic village feel even in December.

🎆 New Year — Fireworks

📍 Porto Santo Beach · 31 December 2026 – 1 January 2027 · Free

Porto Santo takes part in Funchal's Guinness record with its own fireworks synchronised from the beach and the harbour. An intimate atmosphere on the great beach, music, firecrackers and poncha. Hotels are fully booked from October — book early.