Festive Season at Reid’s Palace

Madeira is popular in December, particularly across the Christmas and New Year period, when visitors come for the island’s seasonal celebrations, decorations, and famous fireworks. Funchal tends to feel lively rather than overwhelming, with a noticeable increase in visitors in the final weeks of the month and especially around New Year’s Eve. For guests staying at Reid’s Palace, this creates a vibrant festive atmosphere while still allowing for a sense of space, elegance, and retreat away from the busiest areas.

December brings plenty of pleasant days, with temperatures often reaching the low 20s, while guests can still enjoy our heated swimming pools. Along with quieter hiking trails, lush landscapes and a festive atmosphere in Funchal, enjoy the spectacular New Year's Eve fireworks, illuminating the Bay of Funchal.

Madeira’s New Year’s Eve fireworks are best seen over Funchal’s amphitheatre of hills and harbour, where the display unfolds across the city and bay. Reid’s Palace enjoys a particularly privileged setting for this moment, with elevated sea views that make it one of the most memorable places to experience the celebration. Guests can also watch from viewpoints around Funchal, the waterfront, or from boats in the bay, but for a refined and effortless experience, staying at Reid’s Palace offers an exceptional vantage point.

A stroll through the beautifully decorated streets of Funchal is a must, with Christmas Market stalls offering local specialities such as freshly baked bolo do caco alongside warming drinks.