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Popular festival · Petrópolis
Petrópolis’ Christmas season, with the Crystal Palace lit up, concerts, choirs and children’s attractions in the historic center of the Imperial City.
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.
Click a photo to enlarge it.
Imperial Christmas — Petrópolis
From late November to early January, throughout the Christmas season.
November/December/January
Dates change every year: check this year's date before you travel.
The festival
Imperial Christmas is Petrópolis’ official year-end program, organized by the city government. From late November to early January, the historic center of the Imperial City gets special lighting, decorated scenes and cultural attractions.
The Crystal Palace, a 19th-century iron-and-glass building, is the heart of the celebration, with Santa Claus’ arrival at the opening, concerts, choir performances and children’s programming. Events spread across squares, streets and churches in the center, such as the Cathedral of Saint Peter of Alcantara, which often hosts Christmas concerts.
Visit at night, when the lighting is on. Petrópolis’ historic center can be explored on foot, combining the Crystal Palace, the Cathedral and Liberty Square. The city government publishes the daily schedule for the season.
In the city
November/December/January
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.
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.
DecemberOn the night of December 31 to January 1.
The New Year’s Eve celebration on Copacabana Beach, featuring performances on stages set up on the sand and fireworks launched from barges along the shoreline.
Your questions
From late November to early January. The city government announces the exact dates and the daily program for each season.
At the Crystal Palace in Petrópolis’ historic center, with attractions also in the squares, streets and churches of the city center.
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.