Feast of Our Lady of Monte – Lamaceiros, Porto Moniz
On 14 and 15 August, the village of Lamaceiros in Porto Moniz celebrates Our Lady of Monte with a typical Madeiran 'arraial' street festival. The feast draws many visitors from outside the parish, including emigrants holidaying in Madeira, in an atmosphere of music, food and tradition.
Every year on 14 and 15 August, the village of Lamaceiros, in the parish of Porto Moniz, comes alive to celebrate Our Lady of Monte (Nossa Senhora do Monte), the patron saint of Madeira. It is the only parish in the municipality that commemorates this Marian devotion, which makes the celebration a particularly special date in the religious and cultural calendar of the island's north coast.
The feast takes the form of a typical Madeiran 'arraial' — a traditional street festival with everything these celebrations do best: streets and the church square decorated with flowers and greenery, food and drink stalls serving the famous beef skewers grilled on laurel sticks (espetada), bolo do caco flatbread with garlic butter, fried maize and local wine, plus live popular music that keeps the party going late into the night.
The religious highlight takes place on 15 August, the day of the Assumption of Our Lady, with a solemn mass followed by a procession in honour of the patroness through the streets of the village, accompanied by locals and the many visitors who join in.
The date coincides with the period when many Madeiran emigrants — especially those originally from the municipality of Porto Moniz — return to the island for their summer holidays. This makes it a festival of reunions, where families scattered around the world come together with the local community, giving the arraial a uniquely warm atmosphere and an attendance that goes far beyond the parish itself.
For anyone visiting Madeira in August, the Feast of Our Lady of Monte in Lamaceiros is an excellent opportunity to experience Madeiran popular culture at its most authentic, away from the busier tourist circuits. Its location on the plateau above Porto Moniz also makes it easy to combine the festival with a swim in the village's famous volcanic natural pools, the dramatic viewpoints of the north coast, and nearby levada walks such as the Levada da Ribeira da Janela.
Entry to the arraial is free and the atmosphere is family-friendly and welcoming. Arrive early, as parking in the area is limited on festival days, and be sure to try the local specialities prepared by the community — the best way to experience a true Madeiran festa.
