Festa da Anona: Madeira’s custard apple festival in Faial
The Regional Anona Exhibition in Faial, on Madeira’s north coast: when it takes place, what the anona is, what to eat and drink, the growers’ prizes, and how to combine it with Santana and Penha d’Águia.
This page first appeared on Madeira Blog on 19 February 2008. We have rewritten it with up-to-date information.
In February 2008 this blog wrote about a festival that began with a simple idea. In 1990 a group of growers in Faial, on the north coast, wanted the rest of the island to notice their fruit. Their Regional Anona Exhibition has been held almost every year since. Today it is one of the most popular village festivals in Madeira.
What the anona is
The anona is the Madeiran name for the cherimoya, sometimes sold as custard apple. The fruit is green and scaly outside, with soft white flesh and black seeds inside. It tastes of pear, banana and vanilla and is eaten ripe with a spoon. Madeira’s anona has protected designation of origin (DOP) status in the EU. Faial, on the sheltered north-east coast, is the best-known place where it grows.
When
The festival takes place at the end of February or the beginning of March, around the peak of the harvest. The 35th edition ran from 24 February to 1 March 2026 in Faial, organised by the Casa do Povo do Faial. The 2027 dates are announced in the weeks before. Our events calendar lists them as soon as they are published.
What to expect
- The exhibition. Growers show their best fruit, and on the last day a jury gives prizes for the finest anonas.
- Food and drink. Anona liqueur, ice cream, mousse, cakes and puddings, and of course poncha.
- Music and stalls. Folk groups, local bands and stalls with other produce from the north coast.
Weekends are the busiest. Come at lunchtime and eat at the stalls.
Getting there
Faial is in the municipality of Santana, on the north-east coast. By car it is about 40 minutes from Funchal by the expressway. Buses from Funchal also serve Faial and Santana. Parking near the festival fills up at weekends, so leave the car along the main road and walk in. See driving in Madeira and buses.
Make a day of it
- Penha d’Águia, the huge “Eagle Rock” that rises from the sea beside Faial.
- Santana, with its thatched triangular houses, 15 minutes away. See Santana.
- Levada do Caldeirão Verde, which starts above Santana at Queimadas. See Levada do Caldeirão Verde.
For other village festivals through the year, see the regional festivities calendar, and for what to eat on the island, Madeiran food.
Sources: DNoticias, prizes at the 35th Regional Anona Exhibition (2026), Visit Madeira, regional products