Madeira in December: weather, Christmas lights and what to do

Madeira in December means mild weather in midwinter: around 21 °C (70 °F) in the afternoon and 15.5 °C (60 °F) at night in Funchal, but also the wettest month of the year (95 mm (3.7 in)). Verdict: ⚠️ with reservations: excellent for the Christmas lights and the 31 December fireworks, less reliable for hiking at altitude and for swimming.

Early December is quiet and affordable; as the holidays approach, Funchal becomes one of the most sought-after destinations in Europe for New Year. To compare with the rest of the year, see our page on the best time to visit Madeira.

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Place	Max	Min	Rain	Sea
Funchal (south coast)	21.0 °C (70 °F)	15.5 °C (60 °F)	95 mm (3.7 in)	19 °C (66 °F)
Porto Santo	19.4 °C (67 °F)	14.9 °C (59 °F)	63 mm (2.5 in)	–

December is rainy without being a month of continuous rain: according to IPMA, Funchal averages 6 to 9 rainy days (at least 1 mm) a month from October to January. The rest of the time, days are often mild and bright, but short. The north coast is cooler and wetter; in the mountains it is cold and snow can fall on the peaks. Strong wind, more frequent in winter, can delay or divert flights: keep some slack before a connection. For the following month, see our page Madeira in January.

Can you swim in Madeira in December?

The sea is at about 19 °C (66 °F), a little warmer than in spring. Swimming is possible in fine weather, in the built pools, but most travellers make do with hotel pools, which are often heated.

Things to do in Madeira in December

• The Funchal Christmas lights: the city’s amphitheatre-shaped hillside is lit up from 1 December 2026 to 10 January 2027, with markets and entertainment in the centre.
• The 31 December fireworks, fired over Funchal Bay, a very large display.
• Low-altitude levadas, checking the condition of the trail every day (a SIMplifica reservation is compulsory for classified trails).
• Funchal: the old town, the Mercado dos Lavradores, Madeira wine cellars and the Monte cable car.
• The gardens: the Botanical Garden and Monte Palace, green all year round.
• The viewpoints (Cabo Girão, Eira do Serrado) in clear weather.

To avoid or plan for

• High-altitude hikes (Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo): cold, wind, fog and more frequent closures.
• Booking late for New Year: hotels with a view of the bay go months in advance.
• A tight connection: the wind can disrupt flights to and from Madeira.

Christmas and New Year in Madeira

For 31 December, book flights and accommodation 4 to 6 months ahead: well-located supply in Funchal is limited. The fireworks can be seen from all around the bay; cruise ships also anchor in front of the city. In the following days the mood stays festive until the lights end, around 10 January. Event dates can change: check the official calendar on visitmadeira.com before you book.

Crowds and prices in December

Until mid-December, Madeira is quiet and among the cheapest winter destinations. Prices rise sharply with the Christmas holidays, through to New Year.

For passports and other formalities for US and UK citizens, see the entry requirements for Madeira in our country guide. Time difference: in December, Madeira (UTC+0) is on the same time as London (GMT) and 5 hours ahead of New York (EST, UTC-5). More information in our Madeira travel guide.

What to pack for Madeira in December

• Mid-season clothes: T-shirts, a sweater, a warm jacket
• A waterproof jacket and a compact umbrella
• Walking shoes with good grip
• Warm clothes for New Year’s Eve outdoors
• A swimsuit for the hotel pool

Madeira in December: who is it for?

• Festival lovers: ✅ Christmas lights and the New Year fireworks, one of the big moments of the year in Funchal.
• Mild winter sun: ⚠️ 21 °C (70 °F) in the afternoon, but expect some rainy days.
• Hikers: ⚠️ low-altitude levadas yes, high mountains less certain.
• Small budget: ✅ early December; ❌ around 31 December.
• Beach holiday: ❌ prefer July to October.

For New Year’s Eve, choose accommodation in Funchal or on the hills above the bay: you will see the fireworks without taking the car, as traffic is very heavy that evening. If you stay a week, keep one or two spare days for mountain outings, to be placed according to the forecast.

If December does not suit you

November is warmer (22.8 °C (73 °F)), a little less wet and quieter; January, after the holidays, is one of the cheapest months. For drier weather, wait for Madeira in April; for warm sea, Madeira in October; for the carnival, Madeira in February.

Other December sun: Tenerife in December, drier, Cape Verde in December or Egypt in December. More ideas: where to go in December.

Good to know on the ground in December

• Days are short: set off early for hikes, especially as night falls quickly in the valleys.
• Check weather warnings before any mountain outing and check the condition of the trail on the day.
• Madeira’s roads are winding and steep: allow more time than planned, especially at night or in the rain.
• Keep a little cash for small cafés and markets.

Frequently asked questions

Our sources

• Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA): 1991-2020 normals for Funchal-Observatório and Porto Santo-Aeroporto, rainy days
• Deutscher Wetterdienst, Klimatafel von Funchal: water temperature and sunshine (1961-1990)
• Madeira Tourism Board (visitmadeira.com): 2026-2028 event calendar and trails (taken from our best time to visit page; Christmas lights dates also cross-checked on 11 November 2026)
• Data taken from our page on the best time to visit Madeira
• Time rules: GOV.UK, When do the clocks change, and NIST, Daylight Saving Time
• Our methodology

Updated November 2026.