Of great significance in the religious calendar is the Festa do Sagrado Coracão de Jesus that climaxes on the first week in August. It is a festival with German origins when an Imperial Brotherhood was set up to help people in times of calamity; it spread widely in Christian Europe including Portugal. On Santa Maria its importance grew after the tragic consequences of the earthquake that virtually destroyed Vila Franca do Campo in 1522. The Procession of Born Jesus da Pedra is one of the oldest religious festivals and attracts many emigrants from around the world.
Festa N Sra da Anunciacão, is celebrated by singing at night in the streets in thanks for the star that guided the Three Kings to Bethlehem.
Festas de Santo António (Santo Espirito) – second week in June
Festas de São João (Vila do Porto) – last week in June
Festa do Sagrado Coracão de Jesus (Santa Barbara) – first week in August
Festa N Sra da Assuncão (Vila do Porto) – middle of August
Festival Maré de Agosto (Praia Formosa) – third week in August
Festa das Vindimas, grape harvest (Sao Lourenco) – first week in September
Festa N Sra da Anunciacão (Vila do Porto) – third week in September
