Things to Do in Funchal in the Evening: Music, Dance & Fado

Funchal evenings and nights offer more than bars and clubs: fado, live guitar in a church, open-air dancing and drumming by the ocean. Here are ideas for an evening in Funchal built around music and movement, with links to the events in the calendar. Programmes change, some evenings need a booking and outdoor events can be cancelled in bad weather, so check each event page before you go.

Fado with a glass of Madeira

Fado & Fado is an intimate fado performance in a historic setting: voices and guitar, plus short talks on where the genre comes from and how it has changed. Between songs, the performer explains the meaning of each piece, and a glass of Madeira wine comes with the ticket.

Part of the evening is the walk there. From Praça do Município, head uphill along Rua do Castanheiro, a narrow old street in Funchal's historic centre. On one side is a hardware shop that has been trading since 1940, with a Loja com História sign. It is an ordinary working shop, not a sight to plan around: step in for a minute out of curiosity to see a picture made of azulejo tiles and the old-fashioned interior, with its antique furniture.

On the other side, an open entrance leads into the grounds of the Jesuits' College of Funchal, where a cobbled lane runs under a stone arch. If you arrive a little early, both are worth a quick look while they are open.

Concerts in Funchal's churches

Two historic churches in Funchal host regular concerts.

At St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, also known as the Scottish Church, the Funchal Guitar Quartet plays for an hour by candlelight: four guitars, music by well-known composers and the sounds of Madeira, with every piece introduced live in English. The evening begins with a welcome glass of Madeira wine in the church's warm acoustics, a quieter alternative to outdoor entertainment.

At the English Church, concerts take place almost every day, from classical violin recitals such as Violin Serenades to Romantic favourites by Mendelssohn and Grieg in Favourite Romantic Works. The events calendar shows what is on.

Social dancing: Bachata, Kizomba and Salsa

A free open-air Bachata, Kizomba & Salsa night at Funchal Marina: social dancing right at the water's edge, with good music in a relaxed setting. Once the town lights up, the hillside in front of you glitters, and dancing here feels a little like dancing among the stars. All skill levels are welcome, and you do not need a partner.

Live music and culture at Barreirinha Bar Café

Barreirinha Bar Café, at Largo do Socorro in Funchal, calls itself "the backyard of fun" and combines cocktails and burgers with a cultural programme. Concerts, DJ sets and other events are held here, and the upcoming ones are listed in the events calendar.

Drums and dancing by the ocean

At Praia Formosa in Funchal, Drum & Dance Under the Stars is a regular open beach gathering by the ocean: play djembe or other drums, dance, or just listen by the fire. It is free, and no experience is needed.

A sunset party outside Funchal

Purple Fridays is a long-running weekly electronic sunset party on a rooftop in Ponta do Sol, with DJs, live acts and visual artists. It is free to attend, and an early dinner is served before the party. A free shuttle runs from Funchal to Ponta do Sol and back; seats are limited and booked by email. Under-18s are not admitted and a reservation is required.

Outdoor events and the weather

Open-air events, such as dancing at the marina and drumming on the beach, can be cancelled because of bad weather, especially in winter. Check before you go.

See what is on tonight

Open the events calendar, click a date and see what is on in Madeira that evening.