FESTIVALS
Boi Bumba
Parintins, Brazil - June - 3 days
Bumba Meu Boi
Sao Luis, Brazil - June-August - 10 weeks
Cirio de Nazare
Belem, Brazil - October - 2 weeks
Festival de Iemanja
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - 31st December - 1 day
Olinda and Recife Carnivals
Olinda and Recife, Brazil - February - 5 days
Rio Carnival
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - February/March - from the first Friday of Carnival Weekend to Shrove Tuesday - 5 days
HOLIDAYS
January 1 New Year's Day
February 1 Carnival
February 2 Carnival
February 3 Carnival
February 4 Carnival
February 5 Carnival
February 6 Carnival end
March 21 Good Friday2
March 23 Easter
April 21 Tiradentes Day (revolutionary hero)
May 1 Labour Day
May 22 Corpus Christi
September 7 Independence Day
October 12 Holy Mary's Day
November 1 All Saints Day*
November 2 Remembrance Day
November 15 Proclamation of the Republic
December 24 Christmas Eve (half day)
December 25 Christmas Day
December 31 New Year's Eve (half day)
1. Although Carnival is only 5 days long officially, it may be difficult to do business during the whole of Lent due to the combination of Carnival and school holidays. Carnival closes down most of Brazil starting the evening of Friday before Ash Wednesday through Wednesday, which is officially a half holiday (opening time at noon). This is true for most places although any shop selling souvenirs, etc that attract tourists will probably be open at least part of the time. Banks close on Shrove Thursday.
2. Many businesses close altogether from Holy Thursday and it may be difficult to do business during the whole of Holy Week.
*All Saints Day is not an official holiday but may be taken, especially in villages.
** Local festas
You should know:
Jewish family businesses (mostly retail stores) sometimes also close for major Jewish feasts (notably Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur). Visitors from northern climes should remember that summer holidays are commonly taken between Christmas and Carnaval. This is the summer school holiday period.
Weekend Saturday,Sunday
