Events and Festivals in Brazil
FIFA World Cup 2014
Chosen as the host of the 2014 FIFA World Cup which is scheduled to take place between June 12 and July 13, Brazil will be holding its biggest football event since 1950. Watch the best of the best from 32 qualified teams from across the world go head to head in a bid to earn the title as world football champions. The host cities of this highly anticipated event will be Rio de Janeiro (at Estádio do Maracanã), Brasília (at Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha), São Paulo (at Arena de São Paulo), Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Cuiabá, Manaus, Natal, Porto Alegre, Recife, Curitiba, and Fortaleza.
Carnival in Brazil
Carnival time in Brazil is the largest celebrated event in the country and one of the most anticipated festivals of the Brazilian calendar typically lasting five days to a week. Celebrating the time of Lent in the Roman Catholic religion, Carnival in Brazil is characterised by dazzling costumes, colourful decorations, samba music and Frevo and Maracatu dance. It usually consists in large parades performed by groups from professional Samba schools and volunteers being carried out in the streets or special venues of various cities such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Vitória in southeast Brazil as well as Recife, Porto Seguro, Olinda, and Salvador in the northeast. The most renowned Carnival celebration in Brazil takes place at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro and is labelled as the "World's Biggest Party".
Brazilian Grand Prix
For race car fans, the Brazilian Grand Prix which is held during March or April at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in Interlagos is a Formula One championship race read more...
Festa Junina
Brazil's June Festival or Festa Junina is celebrated across Brazil, mainly in rural areas, as well as in Portugal where it is known as Festa de São João. Commemorating the birth of John the Baptist, the June Festival is a time when celebrants thank St John for the rain and celebrate rural life wearing costumes of farm clothing; eating typical foods from the land; and dancing the typical quadrilha, a form of square dancing, to Brazilian country music. Most meeting points for these events are at an arraial or enormous tent in a rural area. A fun event that will get you out of the city and into the country.
Independence Day of Brazil
Each year, on September 7, marks the date in which Brazil declared itself independent from Portugal on September 7, 1822. Held in Brasília's Ministries Esplanade, celebrations include full-on military parades and impressive patriotic read more...
São Paulo International Film Festival
Another one of Latin America's most prominent events is the International Film Festival of São Paulo held during the months of October and November. Having gained international status read more...
Cirio de Nazare
Cirio de Nazare, one of the most religious events in Brazil, occurs along the Amazon River in the enchanting city of Belem in Para. Every year, on the second Sunday of October the statue of Lady of Nazareth, believed to have performed miracles, is carried from the Cathedral da Sé to the basilica of Icoaraci and is accompanied by hundreds of colourful small boats and crowds of people singing and dancing. Cirio de Nazare is a beautiful ceremony to participate packed with splendid picture-perfect moments so don't forget your camera!
Oktoberfest
The Oktoberfest, held in the German colony of Blumenau in Santa Catarina city is a popular event that combines German and Brazilian cuisine, drink, music and culture. Attracting over a million tourists and inhabitants annually, the Oktoberfest is a hugely entertaining event and offers something a little different during your holidays.
New Year's Celebrations
A fantastic event to be a part of when in Rio is the New Year's celebrations which are energetic, fun and the best way to end the year. With festivities held all across the city, the best celebrations are held along the illustrious Copacabana Beach read more...
