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Calendar · Brazil
The calendar of Brazil’s traditional festivals, month by month: Carnival, religious feasts, festivals and New Year’s Eve.
In the photo: Lagoa da Conceição, Florianópolis (SC)
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The festivals
The year of festivities in Brazil follows the religious calendar and the seasons. Carnival takes place in February or March, depending on the date of Easter, and changes the pace of cities for almost a week. In June, the festas juninas honor Catholic saints with quadrilhas (folk dance groups), bonfires and corn-based foods. At the turn of December to January, the beaches host Réveillon celebrations.
Throughout the year, each town has its patron-saint festivals, processions and music, literature, film and gastronomy festivals. Many dates shift from year to year, so each event shows the rule for its date and the months when it usually happens.
16 festivals and events
Dates change every year: check this year's date before you travel.
June/JulyBetween late June and early July, always including June 29, German Settler Day, a municipal holiday in Petrópolis.
Petrópolis’s German Settler festival, featuring traditional German food and beer, folk dance groups, and events around the Crystal Palace.
June/SeptemberEvery two years, in odd-numbered years; generally in September, sometimes in June. · Every two years
The major book fair of Rio de Janeiro held every two years, with publisher booths, author events, and programming for children and young people.
July/AugustOnce a year, between the second half of July and the beginning of August, during winter break.
The Sesc winter festival in the Mountain Region, with concerts, theater, dance and circus at Sesc Quitandinha, in Itaipava and other venues in Petrópolis.
July/AugustOnce a year, usually between July and August, for five days.
The literary festival that fills Paraty’s historic center with author talks, debates, and a parallel program spread throughout the town.
AugustOnce a year, in August, from Thursday to Sunday.
The Japanese culture festival of Petrópolis, held at the Palácio de Cristal, with traditional dances and music, martial arts, workshops, Japanese food and a cosplay contest.
AugustIn August, from Thursday to Sunday.
Paraty’s alambique festival, featuring tastings of the region’s cachaças, caiçara food and music, held under the tents at Pontal.
SeptemberEvery two years, in even-numbered years, over two weekends in September. · Every two years
The music festival at Cidade do Rock, set up in the Olympic Park in Barra da Tijuca, with multiple stages and Brazilian and international artists.
September/OctoberOnce a year, usually in September, sometimes in October.
The Italian culture festival of Petrópolis at the Palácio de Cristal, with Italian food stalls, music, workshops and a masked ball.
OctoberOn Sundays in October, the month of the sanctuary’s patron saint.
The Feast of Our Lady of Penha, at the sanctuary atop the rock in the North Zone of Rio, with masses, processions and the 382-step staircase.
OctoberUsually in the first half of October, for about ten days.
The Rio de Janeiro international film festival, featuring hundreds of Brazilian and foreign films in theaters across several neighborhoods.
October/NovemberOnce a year, across two consecutive weekends between late October and early November.
Itaipava’s music and arts festival, held in the mountains of Petrópolis, featuring multiple stages, Brazilian and international artists, and outdoor programming.
Your questions
Carnival falls in February or March. The date depends on Easter: Carnival Tuesday is 47 days before Easter Sunday. Check the year’s exact date before planning your trip.
In June the festas juninas take place, honoring Santo Antônio, São João and São Pedro, with quadrilhas, bonfires and typical corn dishes. In the mountain region of Rio de Janeiro, Petrópolis holds the Bauernfest, a festival of German tradition, during the same period.
