Funchal’s São Silvestre, the Volta à Cidade do Funchal, is on Monday 28 December 2026. At 20:00 the 67th edition sends its runners 5.85 km round the centre under the Christmas lights, from Avenida Sá Carneiro up through the old streets, along both sides of Avenida Arriaga and back by Avenida do Mar. From 18:00 there are children’s races and a wheelchair race, and at 19:00 a 2.35 km walk that anyone can enter for €5. Places are capped at 8,500, and entries close on Sunday 27 December.
- CostWatching is free. The main race is €16.50 to 30 November, €20 to 17 December, €25 from 20 to 23 December and €30 on 27 December. The walk and the children’s races are €5 with a T-shirt.
- Best timeFor the main race, be on Avenida Arriaga before 20:00: the runners go up its north side to the Infante roundabout and come back down the south side, so you see them twice.
- Getting thereOn foot. The course closes to traffic and parking in stages: in 2022 the first streets shut at 16:45 and all of it reopened at 21:00.
- With childrenYes: there are races from under-10s, 500 m at 18:15, up to under-16s. The main race bans pushchairs, babies carried in arms or slings, bikes and scooters.
Volta à Cidade do Funchal 2026, from entry to finish
| Day | Time | What | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| to | 10:00 to 19:00, to 16:00 on the 23rd | Race office: late entries, race numbers and T-shirts | Centro Cultural e de Investigação do Funchal, the old Matadouro | Main race €25 |
| 10:00 to 19:00 | Race office: the last day to enter | Centro Cultural e de Investigação do Funchal, the old Matadouro | Main race €30 | |
| 18:00 to 18:45 | Wheelchair race, 500 m and not timed, then the children’s races: under-10 500 m at 18:15, under-12 775 m at 18:25, under-14 1.4 km at 18:35, under-16 2.35 km at 18:45 | Avenida Sá Carneiro and Avenida do Mar | €5 for the children’s races | |
| 19:00 | Marcha da Saúde, a 2.35 km walk, not timed. Children’s prizes at 19:10 | Avenida Sá Carneiro to Praça da Autonomia and back | €5 | |
| 20:00, prizes at 21:00 | The LXVII Volta à Cidade do Funchal, 5.85 km, for under-18s up to veterans | From Avenida Sá Carneiro through the old streets, Avenida Arriaga and Avenida do Mar | €16.50 to €30 |
Times and fees from the 2026 regulations. Road closures and bus diversions come from the Câmara nearer the day.
Stay in Funchal between Christmas and New Year
What people ask us about the Volta à Cidade do Funchal
When is the São Silvestre in Funchal in 2026?
On Monday 28 December 2026. The main race, the 67th Volta à Cidade do Funchal, starts at 20:00 on Avenida Sá Carneiro; the walk is at 19:00 and the children’s races start at 18:15.
Can visitors enter?
Yes, visitors can enter. Enter online at voltacidade.com until 30 November, at the regional athletics association’s office from 2 to 17 December, or at the race office from 20 to 23 December and on 27 December. There are no entries on the day, and no more than 8,500 places.
Do I have to run?
No. The Marcha da Saúde at 19:00 is a 2.35 km walk along the seafront to Praça da Autonomia and back, not timed, for €5 with a T-shirt.
Can I collect my race number on the day?
Yes, from 15:00 to 19:00 at the start, for €2.50 extra. Before that, numbers are handed out at the race office in the old Matadouro.
Is anything else on that evening?
The Orquestra Clássica da Madeira gives its year-end concert at 18:00 the same evening at the Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias, on Avenida Arriaga. It lasts about 90 minutes, so you can hear it and still see the main race at 20:00.
Sources
Dates from the race’s 2026 regulations and DNotícias, 30 October 2026. Checked .
