Popular festivities: see calendar with traditions in Brazil – 06/14/2023 – Tourism

Recognized worldwide for the joy of its people, Brazil is the scene of numerous demonstrations that exalt secular traditions and help tell the story of Brazilian culture.

In the eighth chapter of the series of reports on one hundred unmissable places in the country, the Sheet lists destinations to enjoy the country’s popular festivities. Carnival, the largest of them, is hors-concours —and, as such, is left off the list.

Parintins Festival (AM)

Parades inspired by the legend about the resurrection of an ox have been taking place since the 19th century. But it was in 1965 that the tradition became a festival. The annual duel between the bulls Garantido and Caprichoso takes place at the Bumbódromo, a stadium for 35,000 people built especially for the event, which attracts around 80,000 tourists to the city. In 2018, the party won the title of cultural heritage in Brazil.
The festival starts in the last week of June, but tickets are sold at the end of January at festivaldeparintins.com.br

Círio de Nazaré, Belém (PA)

Tradition says that, in the 18th century, a man found an image of Our Lady of Nazareth in Belém. Even under the guardianship of the governor of the captaincy, the image always disappeared and returned to its original place, where the Basilica of Nazaré was finally built. The first procession in devotion to the saint took place in 1793 and, since then, gathers thousands of faithful every year. The largest Catholic manifestation in the country, it was recognized as a World Heritage Site by Unesco.
The Círio de Nazaré takes place every second Sunday in October

Bumba-Meu-Boi, São Luís (MA)

Star of the June festivities in Maranhão, Bumba-Meu-Boi brings together Catholic, African and indigenous manifestations, creating a cultural and religious universe described by Mário de Andrade as “the strangest and most original of all our dramatic dances”. In 2019 this “cultural complex” was declared a World Heritage Site.
Performances take place between May and June in the historic center of São Luís

Sao Joao, Campina Grande (PB)

São João is only celebrated on June 24, but in Paraíba, the festival lasts the whole month. There are 32 days of festivity, which this year celebrates the 40th anniversary of the “greatest São João in the World” — a title also disputed by Caruaru (PE). More than 57,000 people are expected per night at Pátio do Povo, where 340 attractions perform, including several gangs and names such as Elba Ramalho, Alok and Zé Vaqueiro.
The festival takes place every year in June.

Lavagem do Bonfim, Salvador (BA)

At the end of the 18th century, slaves washed and decorated the Nosso Senhor do Bonfim Church for the homonymous feast. For candomblé, the task also became a cult to the orixás, being part of the Águas de Oxalá ceremony. After rituals carried out throughout the year, a procession of 7 km goes from the Conceição da Praia Church to the Bonfim Church, where Bahian women pour scented water from their vases on the stairs.
Lavagem do Bonfim always takes place on the Thursday following the 1st Sunday after Epiphany

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Feast of the Divine Holy Spirit, Pirenópolis (GO)

The celebration of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles arrived in Brazil with the Portuguese and spread throughout the country. With the coronation of the Emperor and the hoisting of the Divine’s flag, revelry takes to the streets. Due to the large number of rituals, characters and components and the festival’s intrinsic relationship with the city’s identity, the celebration of Pirenópolis received the title of cultural heritage in Brazil.
The main celebration takes place on the day of Pentecost, always 50 days after Easter and 10 days before the Corpus Christi holiday.

Congada, Catalan (GO)

Another example of religious syncretism from the colonial Brazil era, the congadas mix, at least since the beginning of the 19th century, African beliefs and the Catholic cult of Nossa Senhora do Rosário, São Benedito and Santa Efigênia, considered intercessors of the black people. With colorful clothes and dances to the sound of drums, whistles, rattles, the party is celebrated throughout the country. But it is in Catalão that one of its most traditional manifestations takes place.
The celebration lasts about ten days, always in the first half of October.

Peon Party, Barretos (SP)

Riding competitions have always been part of country culture. But it was in 1956 that Brazil won its first pedestrian party, which became the largest rodeo in Latin America. In addition to riding, shows by big names in country music and the traditional garlic burning (tropeira food festival) bring together almost 1 million people for two weeks.
This year, the party will be held from August 17th to 27th at Parque Rodeo Show; tickets from R$ 40 at totalacesso.com

Oktoberfest, Blumenau (SC)

In 1810, Bavarian King Louis I invited the entire city of Munich to celebrate his wedding. The party was so good that they soon scheduled the second edition for the following year. And so began the Oktoberfest tradition, a beer festival that has spread across the planet. The one in Blumenau, the second largest in the world, has been held since 1984. There are 19 days of festivities with lots of beer and more than 150 traditional German dishes, such as bretzel, goulash and spätzle, in addition to parades and shows.
This year, it takes place from the 4th to the 22nd of October at Parque Vila Germânica; tickets from R$22, but some days and times have free entry; oktoberfestblumenau.com.br

Natal Luz, Gramado (RS)

Since the 1980s, Gramado has hosted one of the most important Christmas celebrations in Brazil, which has also become one of the biggest shows of its kind in the world. The celebration extends from the end of October to the end of January, with the small town in the Serra Gaúcha all decorated. There is an intense program of Christmas shows, parades with floats and ceremonies such as the lighting.
The next edition of Natal Luz will run from October 26th to January 21st; Ticket sales start in June at natalluzdegramado.com.br