Best Events in Brazil

World-Famous Spectacles

Carnival (Carnaval)

When: Annually in February or March, in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday. The exact dates change each year, so it is essential to check the calendar for your specific year of travel.

Primary Locations: Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Olinda & Recife.

What it is: Brazil’s most famous festival, a vibrant, multi-day celebration of music, elaborate parades, and infectious street parties that take over the entire country.

Key Differences by City:

• Rio de Janeiro: The city is renowned for the spectacular Sambadrome parades, a ticketed competition between the top samba schools. Beyond this, Rio hosts hundreds of free street parties called ‘blocos’. We advise booking Sambadrome tickets well in advance, as they sell out quickly. For an authentic experience, consider joining famous blocos like Cordão da Bola Preta or Sargento Pimenta.
• Salvador: Here, the celebration is characterized by massive ‘trio elétrico’ sound trucks carrying live bands through the streets. It is less of a spectator event and more of a massive, participatory street party. To join the cordoned-off areas around the trucks, you must purchase an ‘abadá,’ a colorful shirt that serves as your ticket.
• Olinda & Recife: These neighboring cities offer a more traditional atmosphere, known for the unique, fast-paced Frevo music and dance. A key feature is the parade of giant puppets, the ‘bonecos de Olinda,’ which gives the celebration a distinct and family-friendly character.

Practical Tips:

• Book your flights and accommodation up to a year in advance. Prices increase dramatically as the dates approach.
• Prioritize your safety in large crowds. Use ride-sharing apps or official taxis at night, be aware of pickpockets, and leave valuables secured at your hotel.
• Stay hydrated in the tropical heat. Wear sunscreen and comfortable shoes, as you will be on your feet for hours.

New Year’s Eve (Réveillon)

When: December 31st.

Primary Location: Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro.

What it is: One of the world’s largest and most famous New Year’s Eve parties, culminating in a breathtaking fireworks display launched from barges on the ocean.

Traditions to Know:

• Wearing White: The vast majority of the millions of attendees dress in all white to symbolize peace for the new year. Feel free to add a splash of color to represent other wishes: yellow for wealth, red for love, or green for hope.
• Offerings to Iemanjá: It is a common and beautiful sight to see people tossing white flowers and other small, biodegradable offerings into the waves as a sign of respect for Iemanjá, the Candomblé goddess of the waters.
• Jumping Seven Waves: For good luck, many people will enter the water as the clock strikes midnight to jump over seven consecutive waves, making a wish with each one.

Practical Tips:

• The beach becomes extremely crowded. Arrive in the early evening if you wish to secure a good spot near the shore.
• Public transport is the most efficient way to arrive. The metro operates on a special schedule with specific tickets for the event, which should be purchased in advance.
• Be patient when leaving. Moving through the crowds after the fireworks can take a significant amount of time.

Major Music & Arts Festivals

Rock in Rio

When: Biennially, typically in September or October. Please note this event does not happen every year, so we advise checking the official schedule for the next edition.

Location: Rio de Janeiro.

What it is: A legendary multi-day music festival that attracts major international and Brazilian artists from rock, pop, and electronic genres. It is one of the largest music festivals in the world.

Traveler Tips:

• Tickets are in extremely high demand and often sell out within hours of release. Plan to purchase them the moment they become available.
• The festival grounds, known as the ‘City of Rock,’ are vast. Review the schedule and map in advance to plan which stages and artists you want to see.
• Utilize the dedicated public transport options organized for the event, as they are the most reliable way to get to and from the venue.

Lollapalooza Brazil

When: Annually, usually in March or April.

Location: São Paulo.

What it is: The Brazilian edition of the iconic global festival, featuring a lineup focused on indie, alternative rock, pop, and electronic music acts from around the world.

Traveler Tips:

• The multi-day event takes place at the Interlagos Racetrack, a large, open-air venue.
• For a more comfortable experience, consider purchasing the ‘Lolla Comfort Pass,’ which provides access to premium areas with separate facilities and rest areas.
• The weather in São Paulo at this time of year can be unpredictable. Be prepared for both strong sun and potential rain showers.

Festival de Cinema de Gramado (Gramado Film Festival)

When: Annually in August.

Location: Gramado, Rio Grande do Sul.

What it is: Brazil’s most prestigious film festival, similar in status to Cannes, which showcases the best of Brazilian and Latin American cinema.

Traveler Tips:

• Gramado is a charming mountain town with European-style architecture. In August, it is winter in the southern hemisphere, and temperatures can be quite cold. Be sure to pack warm clothing, including jackets and sweaters.
• Book your accommodation far in advance. The town is small and its hotels fill up completely for the festival.
• While many screenings are for industry insiders, the city has a wonderful, festive atmosphere, making it an excellent time for celebrity spotting and enjoying the local culture.

Unique Regional & Cultural Celebrations

Festa Junina (June Festivals)

When: Throughout the entire month of June.

Location: Nationwide, with the most famous and largest celebrations in the Northeast, particularly in Campina Grande (Paraíba) and Caruaru (Pernambuco).

What it is: A traditional festival celebrating the harvest, rural life, and Catholic saints. The atmosphere is filled with traditional folk music (Forró), group square dancing (quadrilha), large bonfires, and an abundance of typical foods.

What to Expect:

• The experience is akin to a traditional Brazilian country fair, with charming decorations and a wholesome, festive spirit.
• Sample traditional foods such as ‘pamonha’ (a sweet corn paste cooked in a corn husk), ‘canjica’ (a type of hominy pudding), and ‘quentão’ (a hot, spiced beverage made with cachaça).
• The celebrations in Campina Grande and Caruaru are enormous, city-wide events that last for the entire month and compete for the title of “Biggest Saint John’s Festival in the World.”

Practical Tips:

• This is a much more local and less tourist-heavy experience compared to Carnival, offering a genuine glimpse into Brazilian traditions.
• It is an excellent opportunity to experience authentic Brazilian culture, music, and cuisine.

Parintins Folklore Festival (Festival Folclórico de Parintins)

When: Annually during the last weekend of June.

Location: Parintins, Amazonas.

What it is: A spectacular folkloric competition between two teams, Garantido (represented by the color red) and Caprichoso (represented by blue). Over three nights, each team re-enacts local Amazonian legends and indigenous rituals through enormous allegorical floats, thousands of dancers, and powerful music in a dedicated stadium called the ‘Bumbódromo’.

Traveler Tips:

• Getting to Parintins is part of the adventure. The most common route is a flight to Manaus, followed by either a multi-day riverboat journey or a smaller charter flight to the island.
• The entire city divides itself into red and blue. It is part of the fun to choose a side, dress in the corresponding color, and cheer along.
• Logistics are critical. You must book everything—flights, boat passage, accommodation, and festival tickets—many months, if not a year, in advance, as availability is extremely limited.

Círio de Nazaré

When: The second Sunday of October.

Location: Belém, Pará.

What it is: One of the largest Catholic processions in the world. Millions of faithful devotees gather to accompany a small statue of Our Lady of Nazareth on its journey through the streets of Belém. It is a profound expression of faith and Amazonian culture.

Traveler Tips:

• This is an intensely religious and cultural event, not a party. It is essential to be respectful of the devotees and the solemnity of the procession.
• The main procession is incredibly crowded. For a better and safer experience, find a vantage point along the route ahead of time or consider watching from a hotel balcony overlooking the path.
• While in Belém, take the opportunity to explore the region’s unique and delicious Amazonian cuisine, which is a highlight for any visitor.

Other Noteworthy Events

São Paulo Gay Pride Parade (Parada do Orgulho LGBT de São Paulo)

When: Annually on the Sunday following the Corpus Christi holiday, which is typically in late May or June.

Location: Avenida Paulista, São Paulo.

What it is: One of the largest LGBTQ+ Pride parades in the world, attracting millions of participants for a massive, vibrant celebration of diversity, inclusion, and human rights.

Traveler Tips:

• While the parade on Sunday is the main event, the entire week leading up to it is filled with cultural events, conferences, parties,