What’s happening in Brazil in 2023? Check out the events and celebrations

January

1 - Inauguration Day (Brasília)

Every four years, Brazil elects a new president, and January 1 marks the commencement of his or her term. In 2023, Brasília, the capital of Brazil, celebrated the inauguration of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Photo by Tatiana Azeviche for Setur

This festival is held in honor of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim (Our Lord of Bonfim, a variation of Jesus Christ on the cross), over a period of several days. The highlight of the celebration is the Lavagem do Bonfim (Washing of the Steps), which takes place on the second Thursday after Three Kings Day. During this time, participants dress in traditional white clothes, sing religious songs, carry flowers, and clean the steps leading up to the church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim with perfumed water.

Lavagem do Bonfim is considered a symbol of renewal and purification, and is an important part of the cultural heritage of Salvador, as one of the most beautiful and vibrant local events.

Also known as Copinha, this highly anticipated youth football tournament is held annually in São Paulo. In 2023, 128 teams from around the country participated for the opportunity to secure a professional contract with one of Brazil's top football clubs — an open door to become the next generation of football stars. In the past, numerous top-level players — including Neymar, Philippe Coutinho, and Gabriel Jesus — showcased their skills there.

2 - Festa de Iemanjá (Salvador, Bahia)

The year 2023 marks the 100th edition of the Festa de Iemanjá. The festivity is a colorful and vibrant occasion in honor of the Queen of the Seas. Devotees from around the world gather at the beaches, especially at Praia Vermelha, dressed in white, to pay homage to Iemanjá by offering flowers and to ask for her blessings.

This is a unique cultural experience that provides a glimpse into the rich traditions and beliefs of Afro-Brazilian communities and is a must-see event for anyone interested in learning about the role of religion in the lives of many Brazilians.

This is one of the largest and most vibrant festivals in the world, commemorated just before the start of Lent. Carnaval is a celebration of life, samba and other traditional Brazilian music, and dance. The streets of Brazil are filled with parades, led by the sound of drumming and singing by people of all ages.

This is one of the most popular music festivals in Brazil. It attracts thousands of fans from around the world and features a diverse lineup of local and international artists. The performances are held on multiple stages over the course of three days. Located in São Paulo, it’s known for its energetic atmosphere and high-energy concerts, in addition to a range of food and drink experiences, art installations, and other activities.

7 - Sexta-feira da Paixão / Good Friday

This traditional Christian holiday commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. With the largest Catholic population in the world, Brazil observes this day with solemn reflection, church services, and acts of penitence. Some Brazilians even participate in religious processions or reenactments of the Passion of Christ, a public demonstration of their faith. In Nova Jerusalém — a scenographic city built near the municipality of Brejo da Madre de Deus in the state of Pernambuco — about 500 actors participate in this reenactment.

Photo by @paixaodecristooficial

9 - Páscoa / Easter

A major cultural and Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Easter typically involves attending church services, participating in religious events and processions, and spending time with family and friends. It’s also common to buy chocolate Easter eggs, which symbolize the resurrection, and to enjoy festive meals.

Photo by Rafael Rabello de Barros for Setur

The largest conference focused on creativity in Latin America is held in Rio de Janeiro. It brings together leaders in technology, startups, investors, and government representatives to discuss and showcase the latest advancements in innovation — including music and audiovisual — to pitch projects, connect with key players, and exchange ideas.

This bi-annual event showcases the latest collections from established and emerging Brazilian fashion designers, featuring runway shows, presentations, and exhibitions. It’s one of the largest and most influential fashion shows in Latin America, providing an opportunity for the attendee to discover the latest trends and styles in Brazilian fashion and to see the creativity and talent of the country's designers.

Photo by Rogerio Cassimiro for MTur

For 24 uninterrupted hours, various public spaces in São Paulo are home to a range of activities, including music, theater, dance, performance art, and more. The aim of Virada Cultural is to promote access to experiences for everyone to socialize and have fun, regardless of their socio-economic status, and to celebrate the cultural richness and diversity of the city.

13 - Dia de Santo Antônio

Also known as St. Anthony's Day, this celebration is dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua, who is recognized in Brazil as the “matchmaker”, helping people who are looking for true love to get married. On that day, the festivities include mass, live concerts, games, traditional food and dancing. One of the most traditional celebrations of Dia de Santo Antônio happens in the northeast, in the city of Barbalha, Ceará, which is recognized as a national Cultural Heritage. The streets are decorated to welcome visitors and one special moment of the event is the hoisting of the flag in the parish church.

Photo by Eli Corra for Setur

In honor of Saint John the Baptist, Brazilians prepare lively parties featuring bonfires, traditional foods, folk music and dance performances. People of all ages come together, often wearing traditional clothing, to dance and celebrate in the streets, church grounds and at social organizations.

The main event takes place in Campina Grande, in the state of Paraíba. It lasts more than 30 days and attracts more than two million revelers.

Saint Peter, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ and the patron saint of fishermen, is commemorated in Brazil with bonfires, fireworks, traditional foods, mass, live concerts, games, and quadrilha, a typical Festa Junina dance.

Photo by Bianca Paiva for Agência Brasil

This celebration is known for its vibrant display of traditional culture and folklore from the Amazon. It features colorful costumes, lively music, and dance performances. During the festival, Boi-Bumbá Garantido and Boi-Bumbá Caprichoso compete in a musical battle, with each group presenting their own interpretation of a regional tale.

26 to 30 - FLIP (Paraty, Rio de Janeiro)

Festa Literária Internacional de Paraty or the Paraty International Literary Festival brings together international and Brazilian authors, intellectuals, and artists to engage in discussions, debates, and performances around a variety of themes related to literature and the arts. Attendees gather in one of the most charming colonial towns in Brazil to participate in workshops and book signings.

11 to 19 - Festival de Cinema de Gramado (Gramado, Rio Grande do Sul)

Also known as the Gramado Film Festival, it showcases the best in Brazilian and international cinema, and attracts film industry professionals, celebrities, and movie enthusiasts from around the world. The festival features screenings of feature and short films and documentaries, as well as exhibitions, seminars, and an award ceremony.

Photo by Bianca Paiva for Agencia Brasil

Even though rodeos are controversial nowadays, this festival is the largest country event in Brazil and one of the most popular in South America. It features bull riding, live concerts, horn blowing competitions, a rodeo queen coronation, food stalls and other traditional attractions.

September

1 to 10 - Bienal Livro (Rio de Janeiro)

This book fair is held in alternate years between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. In 2023, Rio will be the home of this event which provides a platform for publishers, authors, and readers to celebrate the love of books. Hundreds of thousands of visitors browse and purchase a vast selection of publications from local and international publishers, attend book signings and author readings, and participate in workshops and panel discussions.

The biggest music, culture and art festival in São Paulo will take place for the first time in 2023. The event was developed by the same creators of Rock in Rio and it will happen in alternate years. There will be more than 235 hours of music, spread over five stages, welcoming a diversity of rhythms: jazz, hip-hop, pop and rock.

Photo by Thandy Yung

This national holiday commemorates Brazil's declaration of independence from Portugal in 1822. On this day, parades, speeches, military ceremonies, and other patriotic events take place to celebrate the national identity. It provides a unique opportunity for attendees to witness the pride and patriotism of the population.

The São Paulo Bienal is a contemporary art exhibition that features works by national and international artists. It showcases a wide range of contemporary art forms, including painting, sculpture, photography, video, and performance art. The event brings together creators, curators, and art lovers from everywhere to explore the latest trends and developments in the art world.

The most prestigious domestic cup competition in Brazilian football is open to all national professional football clubs, regardless of their division. Organized by the Brazilian Football Confederation, this highly competitive tournament crowns the winning team in September, qualified for the following year's Copa Libertadores, the most esteemed club competition in South America.

4 to 22 - Oktoberfest

Celebrating German culture and heritage, this event takes place in various cities throughout Brazil. It features live performances, parades, plenty of beer and traditional German food, including sausages, sauerkraut and pretzels. The festivity in Blumenau, in the state of Santa Catarina, is the largest in Latin America and one of the largest German festivals outside of Germany.

One of the main film festivals in the world and one of the biggest showcases for Brazilian productions, this event includes screenings of feature films, shorts, and documentaries, as well as a selection of international movies. It hosts seminars and workshops, bringing together filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences to debate the state of the film industry and the future of cinema.

Photo by Emerson Pardo

The deep devotion of Brazilians to Our Lady of Nazareth can be witnessed in one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. This festival is centered around a procession, called círio, led by the statue of the patron saint of the Amazon is carried through the streets of Belém, accompanied by music, singing and dancing, creating a lively and colorful atmosphere.

The Belgium electronic dance music festival has expanded to multiple locations around the world, including Brazil. The fourth edition in 2023 will feature the well-known elaborate stage designs, a lineup of international DJs and musicians, dance parties, interactive activities, food and drinks.

2 - Dia de Finados / All Souls’ Day

During this national holiday, Brazilians visit the cemetery to pay respects and remember their deceased loved ones. People bring flowers to the graves, light candles, offer prayers, and mourn their losses. Although it’s rooted in Catholic tradition, the day is celebrated by all beliefs, and has become an important part of the local cultural heritage.

Photo by Brazil Morio Web

This motor racing event takes place in São Paulo's famous Interlagos circuit, and it’s one of the largest and most popular events on the Formula 1 calendar. The circuit is known for its challenging layout, with tight turns and elevation changes providing a thrilling experience for drivers and fans.

Held in the capital of Brazil since 1965, the longest-running national film festival is dedicated to promoting and showcasing the best of national cinema, by offering its visitors an opportunity to discover the vibrant and diverse local film community. Besides the competitive showcase of long and short unscreened films, there are seminars, workshops and parallel exhibitions. It’s still unclear the exact dates for the event in 2023.

25 - Natal / Christmas

A time of celebration, joy and unity, marked by family gatherings, exchanging of gifts, festive decorations, and traditional food, such as peru de Natal (Christmas turkey). Brazil is a predominantly Catholic country, and many people attend Missa do Galo, the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. On the 25, families come together to enjoy large meals with music and dance. The most cherished festivity is Natal Luz, which has been a tradition in Gramado, Rio Grande Sul, since 1985, with concerts, plays and colorful parades.

Photo by Lepota Web

New Year's Eve in Brazil is known for its parties, food, drinks, music, and fireworks. Families and friends gather, often wearing white, counting down the final minutes of the year while watching the fireworks display and toasting with champagne. The most popular event is held at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, where people also jump seven waves after midnight having seven different wishes in mind.

Did you like to read about the events and celebrations happening in Brazil in 2023? The diversity is immense and to successfully cover what you need for filming, it would be a wise idea to hire a co-production partner. Story Productions can help you by providing full production services, including location scout and hiring the necessary camera crew. Tell us about your project and get a quote now!