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Culture · Rio de Janeiro
The major book fair of Rio de Janeiro held every two years, with publisher booths, author events, and programming for children and young people.
In the photo: Rio de Janeiro
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Every two years, in odd-numbered years; generally in September, sometimes in June.
June/September · every two years
Dates change every year: check this year's date before you travel.
The festival
The Bienal do Livro Rio brings together publishers, bookstores, and authors for about ten days. It takes place every two years, alternating with the São Paulo biennial, and recent editions have been held at Riocentro, a convention center in Barra da Tijuca.
Besides book sales, the program includes conversations with Brazilian and international writers, autograph sessions, debate stages, and spaces for children and young readers.
Weekdays are usually less crowded than weekends. Autograph sessions for very popular authors may issue numbered tickets on the day: check the rules for each session in the official schedule.
In the city
Flavors of Brazil
June/September
May/JuneIn the days leading up to Pentecost Sunday, 50 days after Easter; therefore it falls in May or June.
Paraty’s most traditional religious festival, with a novena, processions through the historic center, and a solemn Mass followed by a procession on Pentecost Sunday.
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.
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.
Your questions
No. It takes place every two years, in odd-numbered years, alternating with the São Paulo biennial.
Festivals and events in Brazil
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.
JanuaryOn January 20, the day of the city’s patron saint, which is a municipal holiday in Rio de Janeiro.
The patron saint’s day in Rio de Janeiro, with masses and a procession that carries the saint’s image from Tijuca to the Metropolitan Cathedral in the city center.
February/MarchIn February or March, depending on the Carnival calendar, which changes each year with the date of Easter.
The samba school parades at the Marquês de Sapucaí Sambadrome and the street blocos scattered around the city during Carnival days.
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.
