Christmas lights in Funchal
In December, Funchal fills with lights: the avenues and squares in the centre, the seafront and the houses on the hillsides around the bay. I’ll take you to see them by Tuk-Tuk, on a private tour through the Old Town and up to Pináculo.
- When
- 1 December to early January
- Lights on
- 18:00 to 01:00 (2025 times)
- Best time
- leave around 18:00
- The tour
- Funchal Evening City & Views, 1 hour
This is my Funchal Evening City & Views tour: one hour, just your group, with pickup and drop-off wherever suits you in Funchal.
See the Funchal Evening City & Views tourWhen the lights are on
For Christmas 2025, the lights stayed on until 7 January, and until the early hours on the nights of 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31 December. Each year’s dates and times are announced by Funchal City Council before December.
What you see on the tour
From the Old Town and the painted doors of Rua de Santa Maria, we go up to Pináculo viewpoint, where you see the lit-up city and bay from above. At the end, I drop you near your restaurant, bar or hotel. If there’s a street or square you’d like to see, just tell me: the route adapts to your interests.
The best time
In December the sun sets around 18:00, and half an hour later it’s dark. Leaving around 18:00, you see the sky darken over the bay; later on, the whole city is lit up. Tell me what time suits you.
Around Christmas and New Year’s Eve
On the nights of 23 December (Market Night, the Noite do Mercado) and 31 December, central Funchal gets very busy. For those dates, and for 24 and 25 December, message me before making plans.
Good to know
Only your group: up to 3 people per Tuk-Tuk; groups of 4 to 6 ride in two.
No prepayment: you pay at the end of the tour, in cash or by card.
Plans changed? Direct bookings have no cancellation fee; just let me know as early as you can.
Bring a jacket: at night it’s cooler up at Pináculo.
The dates and times of the Christmas lights are set each year by Funchal City Council. Editorial review: 27 September 2026.