Festas da Madalena Pico

Festas da Madalena

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Religious & SpiritualMadalena/Pico
DatesDates TBA · Usually JulyCheck locally before booking
Duration6 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageAs one of the largest summer festivals on
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: EUR
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Festas da Madalena Pico in Madalena/Pico

Festas da Madalena do Pico is the patronal summer festival of Madalena, the seat of the largest municipality on Pico Island in the Azores, centered on the July 22 feast of Santa Maria Madalena and featuring the Azorean tradition of tourada a corda alongside sport and live music.

Madalena, the seat of the largest municipality on Pico Island in the Azores, takes its own name from the same saint whose feast day it celebrates each summer: Santa Maria Madalena, Mary Magdalene, whose July 22 feast anchors what local sources describe as one of the biggest festivities held in the village all year.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

As one of the largest summer festivals on Pico Island, Festas da Madalena combines its religious patronal origin, the feast of Mary Magdalene, with the distinctly Azorean practice of tourada a corda, rope bullfighting, and a beach volleyball tournament, drawing thousands of visitors including tourists to a village otherwise known for the UNESCO-listed volcanic stone-walled vineyards that define Pico's landscape

02

The mystery stays covered

The festival's religious weight was reinforced in 2016 when Pope Francis elevated Mary Magdalene's feast to the rank of Festa in the General Roman Calendar, though the local celebration itself long predates that change

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's central devotional custom is a novena and patronal feast honoring Santa Maria Madalena

Water and renewal

Living ritual

paired with tourada a corda

The sacred route

Living ritual

Azorean rope bullfighting

The local code

Living ritual

a tradition shared with other islands in the archipelago but performed here as part of Madalena's own summer celebration

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually July

Getting around

Move patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.

What to wear

Casual summer clothing suited to warm Azorean July days and cooler evenings; closed shoes are advisable for anyone near the tourada a corda route given the loose rope bull.

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

EUR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map38.73 N, 9.15 WOpen in Google Maps

Madalena/Pico, Azores, Portugal

Nearest airportOPO — Francisco de Sá Carneiro
TransportMove patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Madalena/Pico via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Madalena/Pico, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for July.Compare faresFestival gearCasual summer clothing suited to warm Azorean July days and cooler evenings; closed shoes are advisable for anyone near the tourada a corda route given the loose rope bull.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Portugal and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Festas da Madalena Pico?

Festas da Madalena Pico is listed for Past edition: 17–22 July 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Festas da Madalena Pico take place?

The festival is listed in Madalena/Pico, Portugal. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

6 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Madalena/Pico, Azores, Portugal

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLfestasdamadalena.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually July
Source statusOfficial source linked
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