2025 Brazil Calendar - Full List of Public Holidays And Observances
Carnival in Brazil lasts for a whole week and is the best party ever. Every year, right before Lent, this bright parade happens. It is one of the biggest and most well-known in the world. The beat of samba fills the air, and there are a lot of bright costumes and floats. Enjoy watching the dancers who are highly dressed in feathers, sequins, and not much else. Listen to the drums and whistles as the crowds get into the Carnival spirit.
In Brazil, there are also slower carnivals and festivals that happen all year long. They are just as fun and worth going to. One example is the Winner's Parade, which happens right after Carnival. You'll still be able to see and hear the sights and sounds, but there will be fewer people and less noise. Also, hotels in Rio don't require you to stay for a long time.
Full List of Public Holidays, Observances, Regional Days in Brazil 2025
New Year’s Day – January 1st, National Holiday
The first of January is a public holiday. The majority of businesses and schools are closed, and most people have the day off.
One of the most significant dates of the year is Brazil's Reveillon, or New Year's Eve celebration.
Wearing white on New Year's Eve is a Brazilian tradition that represents rebirth and peace with the hope that the upcoming year will be better than the one that is about to end.
Another tradition is to run to the seashore at midnight, jump seven times, and toss flowers into the ocean while making wishes. This is in remembrance of the sea goddess, Iemanjá.
São Paulo Anniversary in São Paulo - Jan 25, Regional Holiday
São Paulo Anniversary is a municipal holiday observed on January 25th of each year in the city.
The celebration commemorates the city's founding anniversary in the middle of the sixteenth century.
The Feast of St. Paul's Conversion is observed on January 25th, commemorating Paul's conversion in 36 AD while traveling to Damascus. Priests José de Anchieta and Manuel da Nóbrega established São Paulo (St. Paul) on this day in 1554 as both a religious mission and a Jesuit Royal College.
Currently, São Paulo stands as the world's largest Portuguese-speaking city. The municipality is also the fourth-largest city in the world by population, with over 12 million residents.
The city of São Paulo organizes a number of commemorative events each year to mark the city's anniversary, including musical performances, art exhibits, and cultural venues.
Carnival (varying dates) - February and March, National Holiday
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| Carnival in Brazil |
Brazil's busiest and most anticipated holiday is carnival, one of our passions, and for good reason—the infectious energy of the nation makes for an unforgettable experience. Brazil is a country where street parties are common, but their styles vary because they are representative of local customs and beliefs.
Brazil hosts the Carnival every year over the four days leading up to Ash Wednesday.
Holidays are observed on Monday and Tuesday. The festival, which is the most anticipated event of the year in Brazil, signifies the final opportunity to party and indulge before Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, arrives.
And while pre-lenten carnivals are a common event in nations with sizable Roman Catholic populations across the globe, Carnival in Brazil is known as the "Greatest Show on Earth."
In Brazil, the Carnival holidays are not observed as national holidays. Brazil has a system whereby regions are able to add multiple holidays to the list of official national holidays. The Carnival Days are declared state holidays in most regions, but not all of them do; in certain southern cities, daily life continues unabated. Typically, the days surrounding Carnival are Federal Holidays, meaning that government workers are off.
Furthermore, a lot of businesses and labor unions have contracts with workers that allow them to make up work hours for Ash Wednesday morning and Carnival Days, giving many people a long weekend off.
Learn more: Weirdest in Brazil: Police Patrol on Buffaloes
Good Friday (varying dates), National Holiday
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| Good Friday |
On Good Friday, everyone is off. People in general have the day off, and most schools and businesses are closed.
In Brazil, Good Friday is on the Friday before Easter, the same day as in other Western countries.
On this day, many families still have lunch together, and many still cook codfish as a tradition that goes back thousands of years.
Today is Good Friday, a day to be sad. Christians think about what it means for their faith during special services on Good Friday to remember how Jesus suffered and died on the cross.
It's important to remember, though, that a lot of them make it because it tastes good, not because it's part of their religion.
During Easter, most banks are closed, subways run for shorter amounts of time, shops are closed or only open for half the time, and bike lanes are open during working hours.
Easter (varying dates), Observance
In Brazil, as in other Western countries, Easter is on the first Sunday after the full moon in the spring (or fall, in this case). Sunday, April 21 is not a holiday. It takes place on Sunday, April 20, 2025, and in Brazil, most stores are open on Sundays as usual.
Families usually get together for a hearty lunch and then the kids play Easter egg games.
Tiradentes Day – April 21st, National Holiday
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| Tiradentes Day |
Every year on April 21, Brazil celebrates this national holiday.
In Brazil, Tiradentes Day remembers the day that Joaquim Jose da Silva Xavier, a national hero, was put to death.
He fought so Brazil could be free from Portugal, but on April 21, 1792, he was put to death.
Because of this, his actions were seen as heroic. This Brazil national holiday post was made years after Joaquim was put to death, and his hometown changed its name to honor this important historical figure.
Tiradentes is a lovely old American town.
If you remember that he died on April 21, it became a national holiday after the republic was declared in 1889.
Labor Day/May Day – May 1st, National Holiday
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| Labor Day is often used as a day to defend workers’ rights. |
Labor Day is a serene holiday in Brazil. Opening hours for establishments and shops, along with public transportation schedules, have been adjusted.
Labor Day / May Day is recognized as a public holiday. Today marks a day of rest for the general public, with schools and the majority of businesses remaining closed.
Mother’s Day - May 11
Mother’s Day is observed in over 50 countries worldwide, though not all of them do so on the same day.
Mother's Day is observed on May 10th of each year in Mexico, Brazil, and many other countries in Latin America. It is observed in Thailand on August 12, which also happens to be the current Queen's birthday.
Corpus Christi, Jun 19, National Holiday
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| Bread and wine are usually offered during Communion, or Eucharist, on Corpus Christi. |
The Catholic holiday known as the Feast of Corpus Christi, or "Fronleichnam" in German, is observed on the Thursday following Whitsun.
Corpus Christi, which translates to "the Body of Christ," refers to the components of the Eucharist that are also known as the Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, or Last Supper.
The majority of non-essential government offices will be closed on this holiday, which is observed by the public sector and government employees (ponto facultativo). Stores and offices in the private sector might operate fewer hours.
State Rebellion Day, July 9, Regional Holiday
Every year on July 9th, State Rebellion Day is observed as a regional holiday in the Brazilian state of São Paulo.
The anniversary of the 1932 Constitutional Revolution is celebrated on this day. This was an insurrection against the coup d'état that occurred in 1930 when Getúlio Vargas ran for president.
Although the military and the political establishment backed Vargas, the general public did not.
Following the deaths of four students who were protesting in May at the hands of government troops, the uprising started on July 9, 1932. The state's uprising never led to a national uprising, and on October 2, 1932, Vargas put an end to it.
Despite losing, Vargas eventually complied with some of the rebels' demands, and the rebellion's anniversary is São Paulo's most significant civic holiday. The people who live in São Paulo, known as Paulistas, believe that the Revolution of 1932 was the biggest movement in the city's history. It was Brazil's last significant armed conflict.
Father’s Day - August 10
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| Father’s Day |
Father's Day is observed on the second Sunday in August in Brazil. The saint of fathers and grandfathers, St. Joachim, is the father of Mary, and this date was chosen in his honor. Kids write letters and cards to their fathers and other father figures on Father's Day, expressing gratitude.
Father's Day is a holiday dedicated to honoring fathers and ancestors. Although the ancient Romans honored fathers on February 1st, it is a modern holiday honoring those who had passed away.
Father's Day is observed on various dates across the globe, but the celebrations are always marked by giving dads gifts and spending time with family.
Independence Day- September 7th, National Holiday
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| Independence Day |
Brazil observes Independence Day, a public holiday, on September 7th each year. It's National Day in Brazil today. It's known as "Dia da Independência" in Portuguese, but it's also called "Sete de Setembro" (7 September) or "Dia da Pátria" (Nation Day).
Brasilia, the nation's capital, celebrates this day with military parades, air shows, musical performances, and nighttime fireworks. In most state capitals, there will also be parades and parties.
In Brazil, a lot of schools commemorate Independence Day with unique events, plays, and learning opportunities. Pupils frequently take part in presentations and parades.
Brazilians use Independence Day as an opportunity to show their love and pride for their nation. Many people participate in patriotic activities and fly the national flag.
Ragamuffin War Anniversary in Rio Grande do Sul, September 20th, Regional Holiday
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| Ragamuffin War Anniversary |
Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state in Brazil, celebrates the Farroupilha (Ragamuffin) Revolution, a civil rebellion that started in 1835 when the state fought for independence from the rest of the nation, every year on September 20th. The state borders Uruguay and Argentina.
Leaders of the insurgents were Antônio de Sousa Neto and Bento Gonçalves da Silva. Rio Grande do Sul remained a part of Brazil after the gaucho-led rebellion ended in 1845 with surrender, even though Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi supported it.
Partying takes place all over the state in honor of the rebellion, even though it was ultimately unsuccessful; however, the real action takes place in Porto Alegre, the capital. Thousands of people spend the majority of September at the Farroupilha Camp in the city's Harmonia Park, acting out traditional gaucho lifestyles.
Learn more: Top 20+ Little-Known Facts About Brazil
Our Lady of Aparecida Day – October 12th, National Holiday
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| Our Lady of Aparecida Day |
The Brazilian national holiday is always on October 12.
'Nossa Senhora de Aparecida' honors Brazil's patron saint, the Virgin Mary Aparecida. Mary is honored with a ten-day festival in her named city near São Paulo.
After a day of unsuccessful fishing in October 1717, fishermen cast their nets into the Paraiba River and found a small brown Virgin Mary statue.
They cast their nets again and caught fish. First miracle attributed to statue
Aparecida (meaning "she who has appeared"), the city where the miracle occurred, was founded and a church was built to house the statue, which is now a pilgrimage site.
The clay statue is 40cm tall. The statue was lighter brown when found, but years of altar candles and lamps have darkened it.
The statue became popular among Afro-Brazilians due to its color and the miracle of a young slave boy.
The National Basilica and Brasília's cathedral are among the most significant churches dedicated to her in Brazil. The second-largest basilica in the world holds over 45,000 worshippers.
Pope Pius XI named Brazil's patron saint Our Lady of Aparecida in 1929. Since 1980, Brazil has celebrated Our Lady of Aparecida's feast day.
All Souls’ Day – November 2nd, National Holiday
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| All Souls’ Day in Brazil |
This day is observed on November 2nd.
All Souls' Day comes after All Saints' Day and is known as the Feast of All Souls, Defuncts' Day in Hungary, France, Italy, and Ecuador, Day of the Dead in Mexico, or Commemoration of the Faithful Departed.
It is a day when Roman Catholics and Anglo-Catholic churches honor the 'faithful departed'.
The purpose is to recall and pray for the souls of individuals in Purgatory—a realm where those who have passed away seek to atone for lesser sins before receiving the divine vision of God in Heaven.
Catholics hold the belief that a person's soul may ascend to Heaven, descend to the Netherworld, or reside in Purgatory.
Republic Day – November 15th, National Holiday
Republic Day in Brazil commemorates the fall of Dom Pedro II and the creation of the United States of Brazil on November 15, 1889.
The fight for democracy and citizen participation in politics have become synonymous with November 15th. Over time, the date has been used to reflect on Brazilian democracy's successes and challenges.
The Proclamation of the Republic holiday is celebrated nationwide with civic ceremonies, parades, and educational activities, emphasizing its civic importance.
Brazil is the only Portuguese-speaking country in the Americas because Portugal colonized it during Europe's expansion. The world's largest Roman Catholic population lives there.
Brazil declared independence from Portugal in September 1822 when the Prince Regent of Portugal, son of the Portuguese King, declared himself Emperor. He became Dom Pedro I. On August 29, 1825, Britain and Portugal signed a treaty recognizing the new Empire's independence.
Pedro I died in 1831, and his five-year-old son Pedro II succeeded him.
Pedro II was overthrown by a coup d'etat on November 15, 1889, due to the war with Paraguay and upper class resentment over the abolition of slavery in 1888. Field Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca founded the federal republic.
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Black Awareness Day – November 20th
This day serves to celebrate and honor the black community for their significant value and contributions to the evolution of Brazilian cultural identity.
November 20th was selected as the date to commemorate Zumbi, a free African who was enslaved at the age of six.
He would eventually go back to his homeland and become the leader of the Quilombo of Palmares, a refuge for escaped slaves. Zumbi passed away on November 20, 1695.
While the date and its symbolism are indeed striking, numerous Brazilians raise questions about the historical significance of this occasion, as it is claimed that Zumbi himself owned slaves.
Christmas Day – December 25th
According to tradition, Jesus was born on December 25th, 1 BC, and on Christmas Day, we celebrate his nativity. In the majority of nations, December 25th is observed as a national holiday. In the event that December 25 falls on a weekend, an adjacent weekday can be substituted as a holiday.
In Brazil, it is always hot during celebrations, unlike in the northern hemisphere.
On December 24, a sizable family meal, gift-giving, and card-opening with sincere messages all take place to kick off the Brazilian holiday season.
In addition to the houses, the streets are adorned with Christmas lights. Furthermore, kids have enormous expectations of Santa Claus (Papai Noel in Portuguese).
FAQs About Brazilian Holidays
What are the biggest holidays in Brazil?
New Years Day
Easter
Tiradentes
Labor Day
Independence Day
Our Lady of Aparecida Day
All Souls’ Day
Republic Day
Christmas
How many national holidays does Brazil have?
Brazil has 12 national holidays, including those whose dates vary, and about 50 state holidays.
What Brazilian holidays have varying dates?
Carnival, Good Friday, and Corpus Christi.
Is Carnival a holiday in Brazil?
In theory, no. Carnival is not an official Brazilian holiday. However, these are facultative days when employers can choose to give or not to their employees. Most do.
Do Brazilians celebrate Thanksgiving?
Not really. Although the date is known among locals, only a few protestant churches and North American descendants celebrate Thanksgiving in Brazil.
Also, they don’t celebrate Boxing Day in Brazil.
