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Religious festival · 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.
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.
On January 20, the day of the city’s patron saint, which is a municipal holiday in Rio de Janeiro.
January
Dates change every year: check this year's date before you travel.
The festival
Saint Sebastian has been the patron saint of Rio de Janeiro since the city’s foundation in 1565, when it was named São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro. His feast day, January 20, is a municipal holiday.
The main celebration is the procession with the saint’s image, which departs from the Basilica Sanctuary of Saint Sebastian in Tijuca and follows the streets to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian in the city center. Throughout the day there are masses at the cathedral and at churches dedicated to the saint in several neighborhoods.
To follow the procession, check the departure time and route, published by the Archdiocese of Rio in the days beforehand. The conical Metropolitan Cathedral is near the Arcos da Lapa and can be combined with a walk through the city center.
In the city
Flavors of Brazil
January
Your questions
It’s Saint Sebastian’s day; he has been the city’s patron saint since its foundation in 1565. The holiday is municipal: it applies only within the city of Rio de Janeiro.
It departs from the Basilica Sanctuary of Saint Sebastian in Tijuca and ends at the Metropolitan Cathedral in the city center. Confirm the year’s route with the Archdiocese.
Festivals and events in Brazil
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.
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.
