Imagine streets exploding with color, voices rising over thumping beats, and a energy that sweeps everyone along. Thatโs the magic of Brazilโs festivalsโraw, wild, and impossible to resist. Theyโre not just events; theyโre a full-on dive into what makes this place tick. Ready to uncover the celebrations that keep the soul of Brazil alive?
But because there’s so much to do, we can end up feeling a little lost while planning. Should I take advantage of Ash Wednesday and enjoy a long weekend of Rio Carnival? Or maybe it’d be best for us to go off-road with the Parintins Folklore Festival.
So my job today is to help you see Brazil beyond Samba parades. Follow along for a summary of Brazilian festivals and the best way to enjoy each!
Also, If you are looking to travel all around Brazil, we also have our thorough Brazil travel guide, which you can read later.
Brazil Festivals
What Are the Most Popular Festivals in Brazil?
Women Outfits in Carnaval: Photo via @Artes_e_criacoes_oficial and @oraphaelvidal
From religious festivals after Ash Wednesday to street parades, here’s a list of the most popular Brazilian festivals in no particular order before we go a little more in-depth into each of them.
- Carnaval – Many Places
- Oktoberfest – Blumenal, SC
- Semana Santa – Ouro Preto, MG
- Lavagem do Bonfim – Salvador, BA
- Festival Folclรณrico de Parintins – Parintins, AM
- Festival da Cachaรงa – Paraty, MG
- FLIP (Feira Literรกria Internacional de Paraty) – Paraty, MG
- Lollapalooza – Sรฃo Paulo, SP
- Rock In Rio – Rio de Janeiro, RJ
- CCXP – Sรฃo Paulo, SP
Let’s split this group into two categories. First, let’s talk about
Cultural Brazilian Festivals
1. Carnaval – The Most Vibrant Street Parties
Colorful Costumes at Carnaval: Photo via @Artes_e_criacoes_oficial and @oraphaelvidal
Although we all think immediately of Rio Carnival, there are a lot of ways to enjoy this nationwide celebration of our culture that happens just before Ash Wednesday.
If you’re like me and prefer a more subdued celebration, the best way is to come in the weeks before and watch rehearsals for samba schools’ official parades. You will get to take in all of the elaborate costumes without having to deal with the hassle of carnival street parties. You can also avoid major cities like Sรฃo Paulo and Salvador for a more low-key experience.
On the other hand, you may be like one of my best friends who spent every second until Ash Wednesday morning going from one party to the next. In that case, Rio Carnival is definitely for you.
This state capital is home to the best samba schools, and they go parading into the night at the Sambรณdromo. Here, you’re also able to find many street parties in every neighborhood, and even some samba parades. The northeastern capitals also have beautiful celebrations with a little less samba music but still a lot of heart.
- Location: Brazil
- Date: Second or third week of February.
Brazil Festivals
2. Oktoberfest – For Beer Loving Folks
Brazil Festivals: Oktoberfest, we dove into the festive flavors and traditional treats of Germany’s famed celebration. Prost!
Unlike street parties or religious celebrations around Ash Wednesday or the Rio Carnival, Oktoberfest is a different group of Brazilian festivals. These more specific ones celebrate the culture of a group. Oktoberfest is all about Germany and happens in our country’s southern region.
That’s the place where once upon a time, a German colony was established in South America.
It’s a rather popular festival where we can drink different types of beer and have traditional food. The biggest event is a beauty pageant ending with winners parading around town in traditional costumes.
- Location: Blumenal, Santa Catarina – BR
- Date: This year it happens from October 9th to October 27th.
3. Semana Santa – A Staple of Brazilian Culture
Brazil Festivals: Experience Semana Santa one of our holy festivals
Semana Santa, aka holy week, is the week leading up to Easter in Brazil, it marks the end of Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday.
We’re home to the world’s largest catholic population so it’s kind of a big deal here. It is also a moment that marks a seasonal beginning, with fall just around the corner.
Even though this is a national holiday, it is a particularly spectacular celebration in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais. With different religious services happening throughout the week, culminating on Easter Sunday, this town attracts huge crowds yearly.
My favorite parts of this annual catholic festival are huge brightly colored carpets made with flowers, sawdust, and sand. It’s amazing to see religious motifs depicted in this unusual way.
- Location: Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais – BR
- Date: In 2024, it’ll be from March 24th to March 30th
Brazil Festivals
4. Lavagem do Bonfim – An Option for Cultural Tourism
Yes, Salvador Carnival is iconic but there’s another festival happening just before it in the streets of Salvador. Way before Ash Wednesday, we have the famous Lavagem do Bonfim.
A little different from other street parties, this tradition began in 1754. On the second Thursday of the year, people dress in white to follow after women in traditional costumes and wash the stairs of their church along with their heads to purify everything for the New Year.
Plus, everything ends in the best way possible: food! After everything is done, people usually gather to eat a plate of Acarajรฉ.
- Location: Salvador, Bahia – BR
- Date: Second Thursday of the year.
Brazil Festivals
5. Festival Folclรณrico de Parintins – Traditional Street Parades
Many people look forward to June because they’ll go to what we call ‘Festa Junina’. These typical street parties happen throughout Brazil’s regions but the one in Parintins is amongst the top Brazilian festivals for good reason!
Also known as the ‘Bumba Meu Boi’ Festival, this weekend is marked by elaborate costumes, and street parades reminiscent of Rio Carnival. These, though, tell a story of competition between two bulls, a traditional tale from Amazonian folklore. Some people describe it as the North’s version of Rio Carnival.
Ever since the city hall became responsible for organizing the duel between both Boi Bumba, in 1975, festivities have become even more elaborate. Preparation takes over the city as far as three months in advance so you can enjoy some of it even if you’d rather avoid larger crowds.
- Location: Parintins, Amazonas – BR
- Date: Last week of June or first week of July.
6. Festival da Cachaรงa – Drinking And Making Merry
Brazil’s Festival da Cachaรงa: Cheers to culture and spirits!
When you think of Brazil, the first two things that come to mind are probably Samba, Rio Carnival, and Soccer, right? But there’s another iconic thing called Cachaรงa. And because we love an excuse for celebrations, there is an entire festival dedicated to it.
This delicious liquor made from sugar cane is celebrated to the sound of country and samba music, while food trucks offer many things to pair it with. This party happens far away from the hustle and bustle of Sao Paulo.
It happens in a lovely town called Paraty, with plenty to do if you get tired of the festivities. So it’s easy to plan for a few days before or after everything happens to enjoy the Paraty beyond street parties.
- Location: Paraty, Minas Gerais – BR
- Date: Second or third weekend of August.
Brazil Festivals
7. FLIP (Feira Literรกria Internacional de Paraty) – A Culture Affair
Continuing in town for a little longer, let’s talk about an event that stands out from other street parties! Very much unlike street celebrations such as Ash Wednesday, the International Literary Fair of Paraty takes over street corners, restaurants, and cafes to transform the whole town into a cultural place.
Just over twenty years old, people travel from every corner of Brazil, some even from out of the country, to take advantage of cheap books. It is also amazing how easily accessible authors become in those days. If you are an avid reader, this is a bucket list event for sure!
As it is with the ‘Festa da Cachaรงa’, I highly recommend taking a little longer to enjoy this amazing midwestern gem.
- Location: Paraty, Minas Gerais – BR
- Date: Late November.
Brazil Festivals
8. CCXP – Sรฃo Paulo, SP
CCXP is not one of our many street parties, but it still is something you want to be a part of. It happens almost ten months after Ash Wednesday, it has nothing to do with religious festivals or tradition, but it is easily one of my top three festivals in Brazil.
But what is it? Well, Have you heard of SDCC in San Diego? This is similar, it is a Comic Con Experience, meaning it’s got all the good bits on a smaller scale. You’ll be able to play in immersive circuits, get first-hand knowledge of pop culture, and interact with celebrities.
It is a staple of Sao Paulo’s social scene, with people coming each year since it began. Tickets are sold in advance as early as April, so there is plenty of time to plan for an amazing trip and escape from the chaos leading up to Ash Wednesday.
- Location: Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo – BR
- Date: In 2024, it’s from December 5th to the 8th.
Music Festivals in Brazil
1. Lollapalooza – The Best Way To Enjoy Live Concerts
Brazil Festivals: Me outside Lollapalooza with my girls from Brazil via Luisa
Brazil’s cultural lineup isn’t made up of just religious festivals, and Lollapalooza is one of the best ways to enjoy live music. On the outskirts of Sao Paulo, the Interlagos racetrack receives more than a hundred thousand people for an unforgettable weekend.
Although this festival happens in Chicago and other South American countries, Brazil is where everyone wants to go. I go every year to enjoy my favorite among the musical Brazilian festivals.
Like those who want to watch samba parades, festival-goers who want to see their favorite artist fill up hotel rooms quite quickly. So planning will be your best friend to snag some great prices. Plus, you can always plan to have some time for sightseeing in town if you want to!
- Location: Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo – BR
- Date: Usually the second to last weekend of March
2. Rock in Rio – Rio Beyond the Samba Schools
Rock in Rio: We got to experience the best music festival out of all the Brazil Festivals
Rio de Janeiro is about so much more than samba parades and elaborate costumes! Every other year, every person who loves great music comes together at the ‘Cidade do Rock’ for two weekends of music, exhilarating rides, and community.
Rock in Rio is perhaps the most traditional festivals in Brazil. 2024 is going to see the fortieth anniversary of this even so we’re all expecting big surprises!
For out-of-country folks who want to take part in any of our Brazilian festivals, but especially one that has already sold around 180k tickets, plan as far ahead as you can. Tickets for this year’s edition go on general sale in April!
- Location: Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro – BR
- Date: In 2024, it happens on September 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd.
Whether you come to enjoy the Samba parades, dance along with the music of Samba schools, or celebrate along with those who worship the goddess of the sea, it is up to you to decide the best way to enjoy this beautiful country!
Feel free to follow your heart and maybe we’ll meet up along the way.
