Columbus Festival 2025

Both tourists and residents alike love this festival, which consists of a historic re-enactment of life in the 15th century, and in particular, Christopher Columbus's time on the island of Porto Santo. This navigator was linked to our archipelago not only through the sugar trade but also through his marriage to Filipa Moniz, daughter of Bartolomeu Perestrelo, first captain-donee of the island.

The event takes place in the city of Vila Baleira and consists of different cultural events, such as musical shows, exhibitions and historical parades, initiatives that aim to recollect the legend of the Portuguese Discoveries.

Visit the golden isle and take part in this homage to the 15th century.

 

PROGRAMME (2024):

[ 19 SET - THURSDAY ] Location: Porto Santo Municipal Library 5:00 - 17:00 'In Search of Lost Names' - Genealogy and Family History Activity Target Audience: Members of the Senior University of Porto Santo Location: Porto Santo Pier - Beach 19:00 Porbatuka 19:15 Macetitas & Skazka Dance and Recreational Arts Association 19:30 Solemn Arrival of Bartolomeu’s Entourage for Colombo
The church bell announces the approach of an imposing ship, bringing the illustrious navigator Christopher Columbus back to his home and family. 19:45 Landing: 'The Arrival of Christopher Columbus at Porto Santo Beach' On this day, we witness the theatrical reenactment of the Genoese navigator’s arrival, along with his entourage, during one of his visits to the Golden Island. The lively atmosphere includes music, dancing, and scenic street performances of the time. Upon leaving the beach, he visits the festival area. Location: Largo do Pelourinho 20:15 Plectro a Bec A musical fusion of the recorder and the mandolin, promising a journey through the history of music. 21:00 Batucada da Madeira Association 21:30 'TRIVIA - Rumours and (Dis)Loves of a Commedia dell’arte' by the Experimental Theatre of Casa do Povo of Camacha 22:00 Macetitas & Skazka Dance and Recreational Arts Association 22:30 Rodopio Pitoresco Cultural Association 23:00 Teatro Bolo do Caco: Acrobats & Masked Performers 23:30 Alma Negra Location: Infante D. Henrique Avenue 20:15 Somnium: The Bread of the People 21:00 and 23:30 Porbatuka 21:30 Teatro Bolo do Caco: Acrobats & Masked Performers 22:00 Somnium: Alchemists 22:30 Columbus in Distress 23:00 Batucada da Madeira Association Location: Praça do Barqueiro 21:00 Performance by Circus Artists - Aerial and Fire Acts 21:30 Musical Concert Corre Caminhos (Madeira) A musical fusion project where medieval and Renaissance music, along with traditional folk songs, are predominant. Location: Dr. Nuno Silvestre Teixeira Street 21:00 Columbus in Distress 21:30 - 23:30 Street Performance - Circus Artists 23:30 Fire Show: Alchemia

[ 20 SET - FRIDAY ] Location: Porto Santo Cultural and Congress Centre Auditorium 14:30 - 15:30 REINSTATEMENT PERFORMANCE OF THE WORKSHOP-SHOW 'EPIC' - with Catarina Claro Target Audience: Primary school students from Porto Santo (Families with children aged 6 and over) Registration: At the Porto Santo Municipal Library Location: Largo do Pelourinho 19:00 and 21:30 Skazka Dance and Recreational Arts Association 19:30 Teatro Bolo do Caco: Storytellers 20:00 'TRIVIA - Rumours and (Dis)Loves of a Commedia dell’arte,' by TEC 21:00 Portbatuka 22:00 Macetitas 22:30 Rodopio Pitoresco Cultural Association 23:00 Batucada da Madeira Association 23:30 Alma Negra Location: Infante D. Henrique Avenue 19:00 Macetitas 19:30 Somnium: The Bread of the People 20:00 Batucada da Madeira Association 20:30 Alma Negra 21:00 Rodopio Pitoresco Cultural Association 21:30 Street Performance - Circus Artists 22:00 Duendes 22:30 Portbatuka 23:00 Teatro Bolo do Caco: Storytellers 23:30 Somnium: Fire Show: Ignis Entia Location: Praça do Barqueiro 21:00 Performance by Circus Artists - Aerial and Fire Acts 22:00 Musical Concert Albaluna (Portugal) Since its formation in 2010, Albaluna, a six-member band from Portugal, has been a beacon of musical, historical, and cultural exploration. Founded by multi- instrumentalist and composer Ruben Monteiro, Albaluna creates original compositions inspired by the rich heritage of the Mediterranean and the Iberian Peninsula. Location: Dr. Nuno Silvestre Teixeira Street 20:30 and 22:30 Columbus in Distress 21:00 - 22:00 and 23:00 - 00:00 Street Performance - Circus Artists 22:00 Teatro Bolo do Caco: Acrobats & Masked Performers

[ 21 and 22 SET ] Location: Porto Santo Golf Course 7th Edition of the Columbus’s Golf Trophy

[ 21 SET - SATURDAY ] Location: Porto Santo Municipal Library 10:00 - 13:00 CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP 'Who tells a tale...'
Target Audience: adults and young people aged 16 and over. Registration: At the Porto Santo Municipal Library (maximum 15 participants) Location: City Park (old camping site) 15:00 Christopher Columbus Archery Tournament Federation of Archers and Crossbowmen of Portugal / Archery Club of EBS Professor Dr. Francisco de Freitas Branco Location: Largo do Pelourinho 19:00 and 21:00 Batucada da Madeira Association 19:30 Cocktail Festival - Madeira Barmen Association 21:30 Rodopio Pitoresco Cultural Association 22:00 Somnium: Alchemists 22:30 Skazka Dance and Recreational Arts Association 23:00 Porbatuka 23:30 Alma Negra Location: Infante D. Henrique Avenue 19:00 Rodopio Pitoresco Cultural Association 19:30 Skazka Dance and Recreational Arts Association 20:00 Teatro Bolo do Caco: Acrobats & Masked Performers 20:30 Somnium: The bread of the People 21:00 Porbatuka 22:00 Street Performance - Circus artists 22:30 Alma Negra 23:00 'TRIVIA - Rumours and (Dis)Loves of a Commedia dell'arte' by the Experimental Theatre of Casa do Povo of Camacha 23:45 Teatro Bolo do Caco: Acrobats & Masked Performers Location: Praça do Barqueiro 21:00 Performance by circus artists - Aerial and Fire Acts 21:30 'Columbus’s Egg'
Performed by Teatro do Avesso, in collaboration with GATO, directed and written by Miguel Vieira 
'Columbus’s Egg' is a historical drama that transports the audience to the years leading up to Christopher Columbus’s first voyage. Through an engaging narrative, we follow the tensions and dreams that shaped the destiny of a determined and visionary man. Location: Dr. Nuno Silvestre Teixeira Street 21:00, 22:00 & 23:00 Columbus in Distress 21:30 Macetitas and Circus Artists 22:30 Teatro Bolo do Caco: Acrobats, Masked Performers, and Circus Artists 23:30 Fire Show: Alchemia

[ 22 SET - SUNDAY ] Location: Largo do Pelourinho 12:15 Columbus and his Family on a morning stroll 12:15 Somnium: The Bread of the People 17:00 Portbatuka 17:30 Rodopio Pitoresco Cultural Association 18:00 Batucada da Madeira Association 18:30 Skazka Dance and Recreational Arts Association 19:00 Street Performance - Circus Artists 20:00 Teatro Bolo do Caco: Acrobats & Masked Performers Location: Infante D. Henrique Avenue 12:15 Teatro Bolo do Caco: Storytellers 17:00 Batucada da Madeira Association 17:30 Alma Negra 18:00 Rodopio Pitoresco Cultural Association 18:30 Somnium: Sea Creatures 19:00 Porbatuka 19:30 Teatro Bolo do Caco: Acrobats & Masked Performers 20:00 Somnium: Fire Show: Ignis Entia Location: Praça do Barqueiro 20:00 Performance by Circus Artists - Aerial and Fire Acts Location: Dr. Nuno Silvestre Teixeira Street 17:00 and 18:00 Columbus in Distress 17:30 Macetitas 18:30 Teatro Bolo do Caco: Acrobats & Street Performers