Brazil festivals

Brazil’s Carnival is one of the world’s biggest celebrations, with millions of people taking part each year. Rio de Janeiro is the most famous place to experience it, with spectacular samba parades featuring elaborate floats, colourful costumes and huge dance performances. Away from the Sambadrome, the city comes alive with blocos, lively street parties where locals and visitors dance and follow bands through the streets. Salvador and Olinda offer their own unique celebrations, from Salvador’s huge street parties and live music to Olinda’s traditional music, colourful costumes and giant puppets.

Wherever you celebrate, Carnival is loud, colourful and full of energy, offering a fantastic insight into Brazilian culture. Just be prepared to plan well ahead: hotels and flights can sell out months in advance, particularly in Rio, and prices rise (considerably) during the Carnival period, so booking early is essential.

Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is one of Brazil’s oldest religious traditions. In the historic town of Ouro Preto, the week leading up to Easter is celebrated with colourful processions, orchestras and religious ceremonies, bringing the town’s cobbled streets to life.

One of the highlights is the beautiful carpets made from flower petals and sawdust, which line the procession routes. You’ll also see biblical scenes and re-enactments of the Resurrection of Christ, offering a fascinating insight into Brazil’s religious and cultural traditions.

The Festival of Iemanjá takes place every year on 2 February, with the biggest celebrations in Salvador, Bahia, particularly around Rio Vermelho beach. The festival honours Iemanjá, the Afro-Brazilian goddess of the sea, who is often represented as a mermaid with long flowing hair. Head to the beach to see locals making offerings of flowers, jewellery and perfume, while decorated boats carry gifts out to sea in the hope of bringing good luck for the year ahead.

As the day turns to evening, the celebrations continue with music, dancing and lively street parties around Rio Vermelho. It’s a colourful and atmospheric festival that offers a glimpse into Bahia’s rich Afro-Brazilian culture and traditions.

Brazil celebrates Independence Day on 7 September, marking the country’s declaration of independence from Portugal in 1822. Across Brazil, the day is celebrated with military and civic parades, live music, flags and street festivities, with some of the biggest events taking place in Brasília, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. It’s a colourful time to experience a strong sense of national pride, as streets and public spaces fill with Brazilian flags and families come together to enjoy the celebrations.

Every year, the historic coastal town of Paraty comes alive for FLIP, Brazil’s celebrated International Literary Festival. Held over several days, the festival brings together Brazilian and international authors, poets and thinkers for talks, readings and lively discussions, with events taking place in the town’s beautiful historic centre. Bookshops, pop-up stages and cultural events spill into the cobbled streets, creating a relaxed and creative atmosphere.

It’s a great time to visit Paraty if you enjoy books, culture and getting a little closer to Brazil’s contemporary literary scene, but you’ll need to book well in advance and should expect higher hotel rates.