What is an arraial? Madeira’s village festivals explained
What happens at an arraial, Madeira’s traditional village festival: the procession, the decorations, the food and drink, the music, and how to find one during your stay.
This page first appeared on Madeira Blog on 8 August 2011. We have rewritten it with up-to-date information.
Drive through Madeira on a summer weekend and you will probably see a village decorated with flags, arches and coloured lights, hear music echoing across the valley and smell grilled meat. That is an arraial, a village festival, and it is one of the best ways to see the island’s real life.
What it is
An arraial is a festival in honour of a village’s patron saint, organised by the parish. It mixes religion and partying: mass and a procession by day, music, food and dancing by night.
What happens
- Decorations: streets and the church square are decorated with flags, flower arches and lights, often made by the villagers.
- The procession: the saint’s statue is carried through the streets, accompanied by a band, sometimes over carpets of flowers. In fishing towns, there may be a procession of boats.
- Fireworks: often at midnight, and loud firecrackers during the day.
- The party: a stage with local bands and folk groups, and dancing until late.
Food and drink
The arraial is famous for its stalls:
- Espetada, beef on bay-laurel skewers grilled over wood
- Bolo do caco with garlic butter
- Poncha and nikita, the ice cream and beer or wine drink
- Malasadas and other sweets
Some famous festivals
Every village has its own, but some are especially big: the pilgrimage to Monte on 15 August (Festa do Monte), São Pedro in Ribeira Brava at the end of June, the Senhor Bom Jesus in Ponta Delgada in early September, and Nossa Senhora da Piedade in Caniçal in September, with a procession at sea. There are also harvest festivals for cherries, apples and chestnuts. See the festivals calendar.
How to find one
- Look at our calendar, which lists many arraiais and village festivals each week.
- Watch for posters in cafés and on lampposts.
- Ask at your accommodation.
Tips
- Arraiais are free. Bring cash for the stalls.
- They get busy late in the evening; parking is difficult in small villages, so arrive early or take a taxi.
- Everyone is welcome. Respect the procession, and join the party afterwards.