Madeira in December
Christmas and fireworks
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
December is one of the weakest months in Madeira.
December brings Christmas lights across Funchal and one of the world's best-known New Year's Eve fireworks displays.
December in detail
What December actually feels like
- Weather
- 16–21°C
- Mild and the wettest month.
- Crowds
- High
- Busy, peaking at New Year.
- Prices
- €€€€
- The highest rates at New Year.
+Christmas lights and New Year's fireworks.
–The wettest month and peak prices at New Year.
My tip for December
Book New Year's Eve stays as early as you can.
- Holidays
- Events
How December compares
Against the other eleven months
12th of 12 overall in Madeira, 12th for weather, 11th for space, 12th for value. The emptiest month is January; the best value is November.
See all twelve months for MadeiraPlan around
What’s on in Madeira in December
- New Year's Eve
- Hotels with bay views sell out far ahead and prices peak.
- Rainy season
- Most of the year's rain falls in these months, more on the north coast and mountains.
December 31
October–February
Not set on December?
Months I'd choose over December
Also good in December
Weather
Weather in Madeira in December
In December Madeira averages a high of 21°C (70°F) and a low of 16°C (61°F), with about 95 mm of rain or snow over 9 wet days. The warmest month is August (around 27°C) and the coolest is January (around 20°C); the wettest month is December.
- Average high
- 21°C
- 70°F
- Average low
- 16°C
- 61°F
- Precipitation
- 95 mm
- Wet days
- 9
Climate data: IPMA (Funchal Observatory, 1991–2020). Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Madeira in December: the questions people ask
- Is December a good time to visit Madeira?
- December is one of the weakest months in Madeira. It ranks 12 of 12 months in Madeira overall (12 for weather, 11 for space, 12 for value). The main upside: Christmas lights and New Year's fireworks. The main downside: The wettest month and peak prices at New Year.
- What is the weather like in Madeira in December?
- Average highs are around 21°C and lows around 16°C. Expect about 95 mm of rain or snow over roughly 9 wet days. Mild and the wettest month. For comparison, the warmest month is August (around 27°C) and the coolest is January (around 20°C).
- Is Madeira crowded in December?
- Crowds are high. Busy, peaking at New Year. The quietest month is January.
- How expensive is Madeira in December?
- Prices are at level 4 of 5 (€€€€). The highest rates at New Year. The best-value month is November.
- When is the best time to visit Madeira?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, May is the best month overall (December ranks 12 of 12). The quietest month is January and the best value is November.
Still going to Madeira in December?
Book early and plan around the busiest hours — the wettest month and peak prices at new year.
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