Events in Madeira in November 2026: São Martinho, PianoFest, TEDx and wine
What’s on in Madeira in November 2026 — from the Chestnut Festival and São Martinho to PianoFest, TEDxMadeira, trail running, tennis and Essência do Vinho.
Andy Meyer·
Visiting Madeira in November? The island is a little quieter than during the main summer months, but there’s still plenty going on.
The month opens with the Chestnut Festival high up in Curral das Freiras. A few days later, São Martinho brings new wine and roasted chestnuts. There is also classical music, international tennis, art, trail running, electronic music, and a large wine event in Funchal at the end of the month.
This is our selection for November 2026, not a full events calendar.
What to expect in November
November brings a varied mix:
- Tradition and food — the Chestnut Festival, São Martinho and Essência do Vinho
- Culture and new ideas — Madeira PianoFest, EXPRESSA-te and TEDxMadeira
- Sport and music — Madeira Ladies Open, the ADN Race and OMNI Fest
Current times, places and programme details are on the individual events in Madeira Unlocked.
At a glance
- 1 Nov — Chestnut Festival in Curral das Freiras
- 7 Nov — OMNI Fest in Funchal
- 7–15 Nov — Madeira PianoFest
- 10/11 Nov — São Martinho
- 13–15 Nov — EXPRESSA-te Arts Festival
- 13–15 Nov — Sounds and Flavours in Santa Cruz
- 16–22 Nov — Madeira Ladies Open at Quinta Magnólia
- 21 Nov — TEDxMadeira in Câmara de Lobos
- 22 Nov — ADN Race in Ponta do Sol
- 26–28 Nov — Essência do Vinho in Funchal
Early November: chestnuts, electronic music and piano
Chestnut Festival — Curral das Freiras (1 November)
Parade with traditional dress, chestnut necklaces and harvest wreaths in Curral das Freiras.
November starts where October left off: in Curral das Freiras.
The festival runs from 31 October into 1 November. Around the chestnut harvest there are roasted and boiled chestnuts, cakes, liqueurs and regional food, plus folklore, music and producers’ stalls. An allegorical parade moves through the village. If you usually only know Curral das Freiras from the viewpoint, the festival is a chance to experience the village from a completely different side.
OMNI Fest — Funchal (7 November)
Electronic music inside Estádio do Marítimo, 17:00 to 01:00, ages 16 and over.
On 7 November, the inner ring of Estádio do Marítimo becomes a festival space for electronic music. OMNI Fest runs from 17:00 to 01:00, with entry from age 16.
Madeira PianoFest (7–15 November)
Five piano evenings at Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias, from 7 to 15 November.
Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias hosts five piano evenings: 7, 8, 11, 14 and 15 November. International pianists play solo, as a duo and four hands. The repertoire includes Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin and Gershwin, among others.
Times and the full programme are on Madeira PianoFest.
Sport in Funchal, and a November tradition
Madeira Ladies Open — Quinta Magnólia (16–22 November)
From 16 to 22 November, the Madeira Ladies Open is at Quinta Magnólia in Funchal. It is the 7th edition, a W50 tournament on the ITF World Tennis Tour, with women’s singles and doubles.
Times and details are on Madeira Ladies Open.
São Martinho (10 and 11 November)
São Martinho in the parish of São Martinho: new wine and roasted chestnuts.
São Martinho is part of November in Madeira. The tradition centres on new wine, roasted chestnuts and people getting together. It is especially visible in Funchal’s São Martinho parish, around the parish church. Celebrations also happen elsewhere on the island, often starting on the evening before 11 November.
Times and places are on the São Martinho event in Madeira Unlocked.
Mid-November: art, food and community
EXPRESSA-te Arts Festival (13–15 November)
EXPRESSA-te from 13 to 15 November, opening in Ponta do Sol and continuing in Funchal.
From 13 to 15 November, EXPRESSA-te brings art, participatory formats and community-focused events to Ponta do Sol and Funchal. It opens at Capela de Santo António in Ponta do Sol, then continues at Centro de Juventude do Funchal.
Current sessions and times are on EXPRESSA-te.
Sounds and Flavours — Santa Cruz (13–15 November)
13th edition of Sons e Sabores da Madeira, 13 to 15 November in Santa Cruz, organised by the Casa do Povo.
For three days, Sons e Sabores da Madeira brings together regional food, music and local traditions in Santa Cruz. The 13th edition is organised by Casa do Povo de Santa Cruz.
Times and programme details are on Sounds and Flavours.
New ideas and trail running
TEDxMadeira — Câmara de Lobos (21 November)
TEDxMadeira on 21 November at Museu de Imprensa da Madeira in Câmara de Lobos.
On 21 November, the first edition under the TEDxMadeira name takes place at Museu de Imprensa da Madeira in Câmara de Lobos. The talks cover society, entrepreneurship, science, sustainability, education, creativity, technology and community.
Current talks and times are on TEDxMadeira.
ADN Race — Ponta do Sol (22 November)
Trail race on 22 November in Ponta do Sol, with a longer and a shorter route.
On 22 November there is trail running in Ponta do Sol. The longer route is about 25 kilometres with roughly 1,100 metres of ascent. The shorter one is about 15 kilometres with 800 metres of ascent. The race is part of the regional trail championship.
Details and current times are on the ADN Race.
End of the month: wine in Funchal
Essência do Vinho — Funchal (26–28 November)
Essência do Vinho from 26 to 28 November at Pestana Casino Park in Funchal.
At the end of the month, Essência do Vinho brings three days of Portuguese wine to Pestana Casino Park. From 26 to 28 November, producers present their wines, with tastings and a chance to compare regions and styles. Tasting is for adults.
Details and current times are on Essência do Vinho.
How to find current events during your stay
In Madeira Unlocked you can browse events by date, filter by place, open maps and times, follow ticket links and check the current programme.
For the wider autumn arc, from September through November, see the autumn guide.
One way through November
Tradition comes at the start of the month: the Chestnut Festival and São Martinho. PianoFest, EXPRESSA-te and TEDxMadeira spread the culture across the weeks. For sport, there is the Ladies Open in Funchal and the ADN Race in Ponta do Sol. Food and wine are Sons e Sabores in Santa Cruz, then Essência do Vinho at the end of the month. For an evening of electronic music, OMNI Fest is on 7 November.
To close
November in Madeira is quieter than the big festival months, and that is part of its appeal. Local traditions, culture, sport and food events are spread throughout the month without every weekend feeling packed.
Pick a few dates that fit your stay, and check Madeira Unlocked again shortly before you go. That is where the current times, places and programme details are.