June is the month to celebrate the traditional popular festival across the country. The festivities move the economy and generate a positive social impact through culture.
The history of June festivals in Brazil begins with colonization. Brought by the Portuguese, they are inspired by the saint parties traditionally promoted by the Catholic Church in Europe. There, tributes to Saint Anthony, Saint John and Saint Peter take place during the European summer solstice – which takes place in June, at the transition from spring to summer.
The festivities, however, were not always religious. The Catholic Church incorporated into the Christian calendar the pagan celebrations that were held to ward off evil spirits and harvest plagues. This was a strategy used during the Christianization of the European continent and later during colonization.
In Brazil, the June festivities ceased to have a strong religious tone over time, taking on a mainly popular character. As a result, the parties began to move the economy and generate a positive social impact through culture. In the communities where they are held, they always engage the population in the production of the party, increasing the notion of collectivity. Food, in particular, occupies a central place, strengthening trade and, above all, preserving the local culinary tradition.
And to show the diversity of Brazilian parties, we separate some celebrations beyond special. Check them out!
1 – Arraial do Banho de São João – Corumbá, MS
The Arraial do Banho de São João was considered an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Brazil in 2021. The festivity has its high point on June 23, when the image of the saint is taken in procession to Porto Geral de Corumbá so that the bath can take place in Rio Paraguay. Popular belief believes that this renews St. John’s strength. In addition, masses, concerts, typical food and square dance performances complete the festivities. From 22 to 25/06.
2 – São João de Gravatá – Gravatá, PE
São João de Gravatá is a June celebration that preserves and promotes Northeastern culture and animates the city to the sound of the bellows of the accordion. The streets and squares are enhanced with cultural elements, square dancing, bacamarteiros, coco de roda, mamulengos, casamento matuto, trios pés de serra and much more. From 01 to 25/06.
3 – São João de Nóis Tudim, São Paulo – SP
This year, the 7th edition of the São João de Nóis Tudim party takes place at the Centro de Tradições Nordestinas, in São Paulo. There will be more than 170 hours of free programming in 24 days of celebration. With more than 100 attractions, including shows, square dancing, interactive characters and masses. From 03/06 to 30/07.
4 – O Maior São João do Mundo – Campina Grande, PA
The Maior São João do Mundo is a festival that brings together artists from different rhythms, at Parque do Povo, in Campina Grande. The party has forró islands, stages, square dance performances, and tasting of typical foods, in addition to the forró bus, forró train and Vila Sítio São João, which portrays the historical and cultural richness of the party. It also has parallel parties in the city’s concert halls, such as Arraiá do Cumpadre, which highlights the best of northeastern cuisine with celebrations and presentations with good and authentic forró. From 01/05 to 02/07.
5 – Festival Folclórico de Parintins – Parintins, AM
The name of the party comes from the place where it takes place – the island of Parintins, on the banks of the Amazon River. The festival is inspired by a rivalry that began almost a hundred years ago, when two large groups, Boi Garantido and Boi Caprichoso, began to represent the streets of Parintins inspired by the folklore of the boi-bumbá, a variation of the bumba-meu-boi from Maranhão. The festival is recognised as a Cultural Heritage of Brazil. From 30/06 to 02/07.
6 – Mossoró Cidade Junina – Mossoró, RN
The festa junina of Mossoró takes place annually in the Cultural Corridor. The party starts with Pingo da Mei Dia, the biggest June block in Brazil and also has concerts, square dance competitions and fairs. Also included in the program is the show Chuva de Bala no País de Mossoró, which portrays the story of the Mossoró people’s resistance to the Lampião band. It is considered the third largest São João in the country. From 03 to 24/06.
7 – Festa de São João Batista Grão-Pará – Grão-Pará, SC
Tradition, religiosity, delicacies and an 18-metre bonfire are part of the great party of São João Batista do Grão Pará, in Santa Catarina. The burning of the bonfire takes place along with a pyrotechnic show. It is considered the biggest June festival in the state. From 23 to 25/06.
8 – Bumba meu boi – São Luís, MA
The June schedule in São Luís began on May 26 with the participation of Bumba-meu-boi groups in the traditional June procession. A diversity of characters, accents, rhythms and tunes rock the almost 400 folk groups that perform in various parts of the city and some municipalities in the interior, such as Barreirinhas and Imperatriz. From 26/05 to 30/07.
