Brazilians know one thing for sure: how to celebrate properly. So, it is hardly surprising that numerous cultural festivals and celebrations take place in Brazil throughout the year. Tourists should definitely visit some of them if they have the opportunity because they can experience the very special joie de vivre of the Brazilians firsthand.

And we're not just talking about the legendary carnival. There are also numerous other popular festivals, religious celebrations, and events that are celebrated to excess by the Brazilians. The following article presents the most recommended of these.

Ano Novo — Happy New Year!

In Brazil, New Year, or Ano Novo as it is properly known here, is celebrated in style. Every year on January 1st, an impressive boat procession called Bom Jesu dos Navegantes takes place in Salvador.

Those wishing to spend the next New Year in Brazil should find out in advance about the entry and visa requirements that apply to their nationality. Expedited passport services can also help with this.

Carnival — A Nationwide Party

Brazil is, of course, particularly famous for its carnival. It can be compared to a huge folk festival. Not only the Brazilians celebrate exuberantly, but also numerous international tourists—for several days in a row.

The carnival in Rio is particularly legendary. During this event, the city's samba schools organize a parade in which they compete against each other with their skills. However, there are numerous other cities in Brazil that are ideal for experiencing carnivals, such as Olinda, Recife, Salvador, and São Paulo.

The Most Impressive Popular Festivals

Many smaller and larger folk festivals take place in Brazil throughout the year, embodying the pure joy of life.

At the Festas de Cavalhadas in Pirenópolis, for example, everything revolves around horses. Historical equestrian games are held, and there is also a large horse parade.

The June festivals are among the most popular festivals in Brazil. A particularly large number of them are held around June 24, the Dia de São João. These popular festivals are mainly concentrated in the north-east of the country—where their popularity is in no way inferior to Carnival.

The Religious Festivals of the Brazilians

Brazilians place a particularly high value on Easter, which they call Páscoa. Although Christmas plays an even more important role in Brazil, the Easter celebrations in the country are also impressive. The celebration takes place during Semana Santa, or Holy Week, which begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Monday. Passion plays are even held in Nova Jerusalém near Recife.

In some regions of the country, the Festa do Divino Espíritu Santo is celebrated ten days before Pentecost. Numerous church services and processions are held, especially in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Maranhão, and Goiás. However, Pentecost itself is not very important to Brazilians.

An important date for devout Brazilians is October 12, as this is the day on which Brazil's patron saint, Nossa Senhora de Aparecida, is honored. On this day, thousands of Brazilians travel to the city of São Paulo to visit the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The largest religious festival in the country takes place on the second Sunday in October—in Belém, which is located in the Amazon region. The Círio Nazaré includes impressive processions with more than a million visitors.