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Culture · Petrópolis
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.
In the photo: Petrópolis
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Once a year, in August, from Thursday to Sunday.
August
Dates change every year: check this year's date before you travel.
The festival
Bunka-Sai, which in Japanese means culture festival, began after the centennial celebrations of Japanese immigration to Brazil in 2008, and since then has taken place every year in Petrópolis. It is organized by the Nikkei Association of Petrópolis, together with the city government, and is part of the city’s official calendar.
For four days, the Palácio de Cristal hosts performances of traditional dances and music, martial arts demonstrations, origami and manga workshops, Japanese food stalls and a cosplay contest that draws a young audience.
The main performances and the cosplay contest are concentrated on the weekends. Try dishes from the food stalls, prepared by Japanese cuisine restaurants from the region. In August, cherry trees often bloom in some parts of Petrópolis.
In the city
August
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.
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.
Your questions
It means culture festival, in Japanese. It is the Japanese culture festival of Petrópolis.
Once a year, in August, from Thursday to Sunday, at the Palácio de Cristal.
Festivals and events in Brazil
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.
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.
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.
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.