Market Night in Funchal

Market Night (Noite do Mercado) is a traditional Madeiran celebration held every year on 23 December at the Mercado dos Lavradores (Farmers' Market) in Funchal. It began as an evening for locals to do their last-minute Christmas shopping, and over the years grew into an all-night street festival.

The surrounding streets close to traffic and fill with Christmas stalls selling flowers, fruit, vegetables, homemade jams, wine-and-garlic pork sandwiches (carne de vinha d'alhos), and regional drinks such as poncha and Madeira wine. As night falls, crowds gather in the fish market square (Praça do Peixe), where folk dance groups and brass bands perform traditional Christmas carols. Local bars and restaurants stay open through the night, with the celebration continuing until dawn.