Chestnut Festival 2026 in Curral das Freiras, Madeira

Autumn in Madeira has its own taste, and it is chestnut. The mountain village of Curral das Freiras, in the heart of the island, hosts the Festa da Castanha, one of Madeira’s most popular autumn festivals.

The festival celebrates local agricultural heritage, traditional food and the village’s cultural identity, and supports the local economy. Residents and visitors are invited to join.

What to expect

Tastings of chestnut specialities: roasted chestnuts, liqueurs, cakes and other sweets

A colourful allegorical parade (cortejo alegórico) with traditional costumes and decorated floats

Local products and crafts

Music and cultural activities

Don’t miss

Visit the local museum, which shows how people used to live here and has a small exhibition about chestnuts.

Try the chestnut soup.

Getting there

We recommend taking the bus. Parking spaces in Curral das Freiras are limited, so on festival days it will most likely be hard to find a spot because of the large number of visitors. Curral das Freiras is served by the regular public bus line 181 (formerly 81). Check the current timetable before you go.

Programme

Saturday, 31 October

• 14:00 – Opening of the festival
• 14:30 – Chestnut Sweets and Liqueurs Contest (judged by the Agrosenselab jury)
• 15:00 – Street entertainment: Porbatuka
• 16:00 – Street entertainment: Seca Pipas
• 17:00 – Opening of the exhibition at the Tourist Office: "Roots of the Chestnut Tree: Historical Memories"
• 18:30 – Performance by Dupla de Dois
• 19:00 – String group of Casa do Povo do Curral das Freiras
• 19:30 – Entertainment group Tutti Frutti
• 20:00 – Miss Castanha 2026 election (with an interval performance by the Fitness Team group)
• 22:30 – Live music: Roni de Melo

Street entertainment:

• 17:00 – Dupla de Dois
• 18:00 – Seca Pipas
• 20:00 – Porbatuka

Sunday, 1 November

• 09:30 – Festival opening with the Câmara de Lobos Municipal Band
• 10:00 – Mass at the Parish Church of Curral das Freiras
• 11:00 – Câmara de Lobos Municipal Band
• 12:00 – Street entertainment: Porbatuka
• 12:30 – Cordofones group of Casa do Povo do Imaculado
• 13:30 – String group of Fajã da Ovelha
• 15:00 – Allegorical chestnut-themed parade
  • Awards for the best Chestnut Exhibitor / Walnut Producer
  • Chestnut Sweets and Liqueurs Contest awards
• 16:00 – Folklore group of Casa do Povo da Ribeira Brava
• 17:00 – Folklore group Costumes e Tradições of Associação Refúgio da Freira
• 18:00 – Entertainment group Os Amigos da Gaita
• 18:45 – Entertainment group Tutti Frutti
• 19:30 – Band Guadium Music
• 21:30 – Ernesto Macedo e Banda