Celebrate the Festa de Santo Amaro: A Traditional Madeira Festival from January 10 to 15
The Festa de Santo Amaro, celebrated annually from January 10 to 15 in Santa Cruz, is a beloved religious festival honouring Saint Amaro. This traditional event brings families together to enjoy the last festive treats of Christmas while cleaning out their homes to welcome the New Year. Known as the oldest religious festival in Santa Cruz, the Festa de Santo Amaro attracts Madeirans from across the island to partake in these lively celebrations.
The chapel dedicated to Saint Amaro was built in the early 16th century by locals in devotion to the protector of stormy waters. According to tradition, the Day of Saint Amaro marks the end of the Christmas season in Madeira. It is a time for “sweeping out the cupboards,” meaning that people go from house to house to dispose of leftover Christmas goodies. In Portugal, devotion to Saint Amaro has existed for centuries; people turn to this saint for healing ailments and bone fractures, offering wax ex-votos shaped like arms and legs.
January 15th, also known as the Day of Saint Amaro or “the day of sweeping out the cupboards,” signifies the conclusion of Christmas festivities on the Madeira archipelago. Families traditionally keep their Christmas tree and nativity scene until this date when they are officially put away. In some parishes on the island, celebrations may extend until later festivals such as those of Santo Antão or São Sebastião on the 17th and 20th respectively.
In days gone by, families would gather on this day to dismantle their nativity scenes. Leftover items would be disposed of—grain discarded, fruit removed—while figurines were stored until the next year. The evening before Saint Amaro’s Day was filled with music as locals visited each other’s homes singing traditional songs while equipped with brooms for “sweeping out”. They would enter homes singing and enjoying wine, liqueurs, sweets, or even fruit from the nativity scene.
Across Portugal, many chapels and hermitages are dedicated to Saint Amaro and numerous celebrations take place in his honour. On Madeira Island, the festival is most enthusiastically celebrated in Santa Cruz and Paul do Mar in Calheta.
As festivities take place over a weekend, public transport may be limited; therefore, we recommend renting a car with us to enjoy the celebrations without any concerns.
Across Portugal, many chapels and hermitages are dedicated to Saint Amaro and numerous celebrations take place in his honour. On Madeira Island, the festival is most enthusiastically celebrated in Santa Cruz and Paul do Mar in Calheta.
As festivities take place over a weekend, public transport may be limited; therefore, we recommend renting a car with us to enjoy the celebrations without any concerns.
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