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Culture · Joinville
Joinville Dance Festival, in northern Santa Catarina, featuring competitive showcases of ballet, contemporary dance, jazz and folk dances at the Centreventos Cau Hansen and open stages spread across the city.
In the photo: Joinville
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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Joinville Dance Festival — Joinville
In the second half of July, for about two weeks, sometimes ending in the first days of August.
July/August
Dates change every year: check this year's date before you travel.
The festival
The Joinville Dance Festival began in 1983 and is recognized by Guinness as the largest dance festival in the world by number of participants. Every July, dance groups and schools from across Brazil and other countries travel to Joinville to compete, watch and learn. The city, the largest in Santa Catarina, is known as the National Dance Capital and hosts the Escola do Teatro Bolshoi in Brazil, the only one outside Russia.
The main venue is the Centreventos Cau Hansen, a large arena where the Competitive Showcase evenings are held, with classical ballet, contemporary dance, jazz, urban dances, folk dances and tap, plus the special opening and gala nights featuring invited companies. Nearby are the Bolshoi School and the Feira da Sapatilha, where dancewear, slippers and dance goods are sold.
The program goes beyond the arena. The Open Stages bring performances by selected groups to squares, shopping centers, companies and other spaces in Joinville and neighboring towns, with no admission charge. There are also showcases for beginners and for dancers over 40, a musical theatre festival, courses and workshops with guest teachers, and a street parade of participants.
During the two weeks of the festival, Joinville is full of dancers in leotards and buns in the streets. For dance lovers, it is a rare chance to see in one place styles and schools from many parts of the country, from beginners to professionals.
A Competitive Showcase night at the Centreventos Cau Hansen. The opening and gala nights. The Open Stages in squares and shopping centers. A visit to the Feira da Sapatilha and the Bolshoi School.
Buy tickets in advance for the Competitive and special nights at the Centreventos; the Open Stages do not require tickets. Stay in the city center or near the Centreventos to walk to events. July is winter in the south: nights are cold and rain is frequent in Joinville; bring a coat and umbrella. The daily schedule is posted on the festival website.
The city receives thousands of dancers and visitors during the period. Book accommodation in advance; check travel time to Joinville before choosing transportation.
In the city
July/August
May/June/JulyFor about a month, from late May or early June until late June or early July, with the high points on the eves of Saint Anthony (June 13), Saint John (June 24) and Saint Peter (June 29).
Campina Grande’s June festival, in the Agreste of Paraíba, which fills Parque do Povo for about a month with forró shows, quadrilhas, bonfires and corn-based foods.
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/July/AugustIn July, for about a month, sometimes starting in late June and ending in early August.
Campos do Jordão classical music festival in the Mantiqueira Range, with orchestra and chamber music concerts at the Claudio Santoro Auditorium and other city venues, plus a training program for young musicians.
Your questions
In the second half of July, for about two weeks. In some years it ends in the first days of August.
The main venue is the Centreventos Cau Hansen in Joinville, where competitive and special nights take place. The Open Stages bring performances to squares, shopping centers and other spaces in the city and region.
Evenings at the Centreventos require a ticket. The Open Stages in squares and shopping centers are free.
Festivals and events in Brazil
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 literature 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, for about eleven days, usually in the second half of the month.
Barretos’s big rodeo and caipira culture festival in the interior of São Paulo, held at the Parque do Peão: bull and horse riding, sertanejo music shows, the Queima do Alho of the comitivas, and cowboy traditions.
AugustIn August, from Thursday to Sunday.
Paraty’s alambique festival, featuring tastings of the region’s cachaças, caiçara food, and music, held in the tents at the Pontal.
AugustIn August, for about ten days, usually in the first half or middle of the month.
Film festival in Gramado, in the Serra Gaúcha: competitive screenings at the Palácio dos Festivais, the Kikito trophy and the red carpet on Rua Coberta.