Few weeks ago we just barely changed the clocks to the new wintertime (one hour back). However …. I doubt seriously that we only changed one hour back. Or did it changed to one month ahead?

Reason why I am asking this … is because when you visit the capital of Madeira …. Funchal … it seems as if Christmas already has started. Buildings, streets, shops, boulevards, shopping galleries, etc. are (being) decorated with the most colorful Christmas adornments. December has not even started and I am already surrounded by Nativity and Noel.

My first Christmas on Madeira I will never forget. For-most the beauty of a lady that I saw on the first evening. She had an exquisite gala dress. An evening dress that was embroidered with millions of colored pearls that all lit-up in the dark. The lady that I am talking about her name is Funchal.

Funchal starts wearing her gown at beginning of the month December. When the evening makes its entrance then the lady’s dress starts to shine … so intense … that both the moon and stars are blushing of shame.

It is a spectacular view to watch at night. You can put away your map of Funchal, and just follow the lights …. because the city itself offers you a road map through the strings of lights on each street. Together with the buildings, churches and bridges, they all sparkle like jewels on a black velvet cloth.

In the Netherlands (and other European countries) most of the people enjoy their Christmas days at home, in front of the fireplace, … cozy and warm, with their hot drinks (hot chocolate), and some Christmas music playing in the background.

Here on the island of Madeira they also have that kind of experience … only it takes place outside. Wandering through the magical streets of Funchal that is turned into one big nativity scenery, … you will be hearing the various songs and music announcing the arrival of Natal. Enjoying several cultural and artistic events. Not only Funchal becomes a giant amphitheater during the days of December, … also other towns and villages around the island will be taking same approach to enchant people with lights, colors and warmth.

And there will be no time to recover from these Christmas day’s …. as the magic will continue. Parties and happenings will be taking place in hotels, restaurants, bars and the streets. Just wander through the lighted streets you will surely be swept into some festivity.

And then there is the New Year’s Eve …

A lot has been said about the Revellion – New Year’s Eve on Madeira … which even got an award in the Guinness World Record. But I will summarize it for you in just one word: spectacular!

In the Netherlands for example … people spend millions of euros each year buying fireworks. A common household spends about 150 euros on firework …. and to see it all that value in money explode in their own backyard.

Here on Madeira fireworks are sold but not everyone spends that kind of money. Maybe a few sparkling stars and rockets. But most people here spend their money on food, wine and new clothes.

On New Years Eve you invite your family and friends, finding a nice spot with a view over the city of Funchal … and then wait on the stroke of midnight. At which the stars in the sky will then disappear for about 10-15 minutes. They will be replaced by million of lights and colors … that apparently seems to come from the evening dress that I talked before. The city decides to fire the sky, sending all its jewels and let it duplicate by a thousand times more …. bursting into a myriad of colors. The same time you hear the bells from the churches, the sirens of cruise ships and cargo vessels, … culminating in the spectacular firework display. People will be cheering, hugging each other, toasting on the arrival of the New Year and wishing all the good things in life to one and another.

After this there are still a few days more to feast ….

All the December celebrations are finally brought to a close on Epiphany (6th of January). The lights are then extinguished and Funchal takes down her with lights embroidered evening dress for another year.