What Holidays Does Brazil Have? An Overview of the Festivals & Traditions

Brazilians like to celebrate and have an above-average number of holidays noted in their calendar. Since the country is Catholic, Brazil vacationers will be familiar with the holidays of Easter, Corpus Christi, All Souls' Day, Christmas, and New Year's Day. [b]However, there are also the Brazilian national holidays and festivals, which we would like to introduce to you in a moment.
Besides, each state has between one and four holidays of its own,[/b] whether for historical, religious, or political reasons. Municipalities and cities also celebrate their founding date, for example. All of these holidays are work days off, either statewide, federal or municipal.

Let's start with the biggest party in Brazil. As early as the 17th century, European immigrants brought carnival to the South American country. But it was not until the 20th century that the famous samba parades developed. Carnival takes place every year 47 days before Easter and is celebrated over three days. The working day off always falls on a Tuesday.
During the carnival, many people dress up. Dressed up, people go to dances or join one of the numerous street parades. The parades of the samba schools in the Sambodrome of Rio de Janeiro enjoy a worldwide reputation. In the states of Pernambuco, Bahia, and São Paulo, carnivalists also perform pompous processions every year. Pernambuco's capital Recife is even home to the world's largest carnival block with the impressive name "Galo da Madrugada" ("Rooster of the Dawn").

The national hero Joaquim José da Silva Xavier is always honored on April 21. His nickname Tiradentes ("Teeth Puller") is derived from his profession: Xavier was a dentist. He also worked as a merchant, miner, and military man. He achieved fame with his fight for the independence of the state of Minas Gerais from the Portuguese colonial rulers. Tiradentes participated in a revolutionary uprising and was sentenced to death by the Portuguese. On April 21, 1792, the sentence was carried out and the freedom fighter died a martyr.
However, it would take almost a hundred years for Tiradentes to receive public recognition. Shortly after the proclamation of the Brazilian Republic in 1889, the new government designated the anniversary of his death as a national holiday.

In May and June, festas juninas ("June festivals") are celebrated throughout Brazil. The custom dates back to the European Middle Ages and was introduced by the Portuguese to the faraway colony as well. Originally, people in Europe used it to commemorate the beginning of summer and thank their gods of nature and fertility. The Catholic Church used the popular folk festivals to bind the population more closely to itself. In Brazil, for example, homage is paid to Saints Antônio, João, and Pedro. The Brazilian June festivals were also influenced by the culture of the African slaves and the indigenous people, which is why they have their character in each region. Celebrations are particularly extensive in the [urlfollow In May and June, festas juninas ("June festivals") are celebrated throughout Brazil. The custom dates back to the European Middle Ages and was introduced by the Portuguese to the faraway colony as well. Originally, people in Europe used it to commemorate the beginning of summer and thank their gods of nature and fertility. The Catholic Church used the popular folk festivals to bind the population more closely to itself. In Brazil, for example, homage is paid to Saints Antônio, João, and Pedro. The Brazilian June festivals were also influenced by the culture of the African slaves and the indigenous people, which is why they have their character in each region. Celebrations are particularly extensive in the northeast of Brazil. Commonly, all kinds of delicacies made of corn are offered at the festas juninas. These include popcorn, corn cakes, and canjica - a kind of rice pudding made from corn kernels. People like to drink mulled wine with them. People dance quadrilles and dress in traditional peasant clothes. Plaid shirts, jeans, long skirts, cowboy hats, and boots are part of every June festival. So are bonfires and fairground games for young and old in the Northeast of Brazil.
Commonly, all kinds of delicacies made of corn are offered at the festas juninas. These include popcorn, corn cakes, and canjica - a kind of rice pudding made from corn kernels. People like to drink mulled wine with them. People dance quadrilles and dress in traditional peasant clothes. Plaid shirts, jeans, long skirts, cowboy hats, and boots are part of every June festival. So are bonfires and fairground games for young and old.

On September 7, 1822, the then Prince Regent Dom Pedro uttered the so-called cry of Ipiranga: "Independence or death!" Where the metropolis of São Paulo sprawls today, on the banks of the Ipiranga River, Brazil's breakaway from Portugal thus symbolically began. The country became an independent monarchy. Previously, the Portuguese Crown Prince Pedro had decided to flee to Brazil out of fear of the revolutions in Europe. Although there were numerous problem areas for him there as well - slavery, outdated privileges of the bourgeoisie, territorial disputes - Dom Pedro broke away from his father, the King of Portugal. As Brazil's first emperor, he led the country to independence.
Every year on September 7, Brazilians commemorate this momentous historical event, and numerous schools and the military hold festive parades.

The Brazilians dedicate every 12th of October to Nossa Senhora Aparecida, the most important saint of their country. A specially built shrine in São Paulo is the destination of many pilgrims, especially on this day.
According to legend, in 1717 some fishermen went out to make a good catch for the Count of Assumar. However, their nets remained empty until the fisherman João Alves pulled an image of the Virgin out of the water, which he carefully wrapped in a cloak. After that, his nets were richly filled with fish. Seventeen years later, the first chapel was built in honor of the Virgin. When Princess Isabel of Portugal came to Brazil for the second time, she gave the saint a blue cloak and a diamond-studded crown. Both remain emblems of Nossa Senhora da Conceição Aparecida to this day.
In 1930, Pope Pius named her Queen and Patron Saint of Brazil, and fifty years later the 12th of October was designated an official feast day. It is no coincidence that World Children's Day is also celebrated on the same day.

On November 15, 1889, the monarchy was officially abolished and replaced by the republic form of government. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's capital at the time, a group of military officers announced the deposition of the emperor and proclaimed the Republic. Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca declared himself Brazil's first president. According to the new constitution, the people were now allowed to directly elect their ruling politicians. Until then, Brazil was the only country in the Americas that was independent but still a monarchy.
The military got ideas from the War of Paraguay, where they learned about alternative forms of government to the monarchy. Ultimately, several factors led to the republican independence movement: the absolute dependence of the military on the will of the monarch, an emerging Brazilian middle class that wanted to actively participate in political life, the great discontent of the church, which also suffered from the overpowering influence of the emperor, and the abolition of slavery. Since the slave owners did not receive any compensation for the loss of their slaves, they also went to the barricades against the monarchy.
Nowadays, November 15 is festive, especially in schools. Whether in plays, parades, or question-and-answer games, students are intensively engaged with the themes of democracy and the republic.

As mentioned at the beginning, Brazilians love their celebrations. Almost every profession and activity has a day of the year dedicated to it. Whether it's to the father-in-law, water, kissing, office workers... The list could be continued endlessly. So you are sure to find enough reason to celebrate during your Brazil trip.

Source: www.todamateria.com.br