Brazilian festivals and celebrations

Brazil is famous for its festivals and celebrations. The best known Brazilian celebration is Carnival, but there are many other festivals and celebrations in Brazil. The biggest Brazilian street festival after Carnival is São João, one of the Festas Juninas, in the North-East of Brazil.

Calendar of holidays, festivals and celebrations

Under pressure of employers, Brazil has lowered the number of holidays. However, Brazil has still more holidays than European or Northern American countries. The most important holidays, festivals and celebrations of Brazil are listed below:

New Year's Day (January 1^st)
Many Brazilians celebrate the beginning of a new year with family, although there are often large fireworks shows on the beaches. The best known fireworks show is performed at the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. On New Year's Day, most Brazilians are dressed in white as this colour is believed to bring luck in the New Year. Practitioners of Afro-Brazilian cults sacrifice flowers to Iemanjá, the goddess of the sea and protector of sailors.

Carnival (February/March, 40 days before Easter)
Carnival is the most important festival of Brazil and the Brazilian Carnival is famous all over the world. Read more on Brazilian Carnival...

Good Friday and Easter (different date every year; Easter Sundays take place on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring)
Brazilians do not celebrate Easter Monday but Good Friday is a national holiday. Many Brazilians take a week off during the Semana Santa (Holy Week, i.e. the week before Easter) that consists of Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday), Segunda-Feira Santa (Holy Monday), Terça-Feira Santa (Holy Tuesday), Quarta-Feira Santa (Holy Wednesday), Quinta-Feira de Endoenças (Holy Thursday), Sexta-Feira da Paixão (Good Friday), Sábado de Aleluia (Holy Saturday) and Domingo de Páscoa (Easter Sunday). The Catholic Church organises different activities and processions for all days of the Holy Week.

Dia do Índio (April 19^th)
The Day of the Amerindian is set aside to honour and celebrate the culture of the Amerindian Brazilians. On this day, schools pay attention to the Amerindian cultures of Brazil. Many cultural and political manifestations happen during this day, many of these activities are organised by Funai (Fundação Nacional do Indio, an advocate of Amerindian interests). The Museu do Índio is the focal point for such activities in Rio de Janeiro.

Tiradentes (April 21^th)
Tiradentes is the nickname of Joaquim José da Silva Xavier who earned his living as dentist, cattle driver, miner and soldier. Tiradentes was hung on April 21^st 1792 for leading an independence movement against Portugal. Brazilians consider him an important martyr and commemorate him on the 21^st of April.

Discovery of Brazil (April 22^nd)
The discovery of Brazil on April 22^nd, 1500 is commemorated on this day. It is no longer a national holiday, but governmental offices may be closed locally. In the year 2000, Brazil celebrated its 500 year of existence with a huge festival.

Labour Day (May 1^st)
This national holiday commemorates the working conditions. During this day, many political debates and manifestations take place.

Slavery Abolition (May 13^th)
The abolition of slavery in Brazil on May 13^th 1888 is often commemorated on May 13^th, but this day is no national holiday.

Dia dos Namorados (June 12^th)
The Dia dos Namorados (Day of the Lovers) is comparable to Valentine's Day. In Brazil, this day is not related to Saint Valentine but to Saint Anthony, who is the patron saint of marriage. Saint Anthony is celebrated the day after the Dia dos Namorados, on June 13th and it is one of the three Festas Juninas. The Dia dos Namorados is not a national holiday, but it is celebrated throughout the entire country. Most people give a present to their loved one on this day.

Festas Juninas (June 13^th, June 24^th and June 29^th)
São João (June 24^th) is the most important Festa Junina or June Festival. The Festas Juninas date back to the ancient European Midsummer celebrations. Read more on Festas Juninas.

Independence Day (September, 7^th)
This day commemorates the proclamation of the independence of Brazil on September 7^th, 1822. On September 7^th, there are many military parades. Schools often participate in parades as well.

Nossa Senhora Aparecida and Dia das Crianças (October 12^th)
In addition to Mother's Day and Father's Day, Brazil has a Children's Day: the Dia das Crianças. As Brazilian children receive presents on the Dia das Crianças, this day is as important as Christmas for them.

This day is also the day for honouring Nossa Senhora Aparecida (Our Lady Who Appeared), the patron saint of Brazil.

All Souls' Day (November 2^nd)
On the Dia dos Finados (All Souls' Day), Brazilians commemorate their departed friends and relatives. People often visit their graves. The Brazilians do not observe their Dia dos Finados as bombastic as Spanish speaking Latinos celebrate their Día de los Muertos.

Proclamação da República (November 15^th)
Brazil became a Republic on November, 15th, 1889. The 15^th of November is called Proclamação da República (Proclamation of the Republic) and it is a national holiday. When there are elections, these are often held on this day.

Christmas (December 24^th and 25^th)
Like in most countries, Brazilians celebrate their Christmas among family. Boxing Day (December 26^th) is no national holiday, more important are Christmas Eve (December 24^th) and Christmas Day (December 25^th).

See also:

• Brazilian folklore
• Carnival
• Festas Juninas