Public holidays in Brazil


In Brazil, public holidays may be legislated at the federal, statewide and municipal levels. Most holidays are observed nationwide.
Apart from the yearly official holidays, the Constitution of Brazil also establishes that election days are to be considered national holidays as well. General elections are biennially held on the first Sunday of October in the first round, and on the last Sunday of October in the second round. Numerous religious and ethnic holidays are also celebrated in Brazil.
DateEnglish namePortuguese nameRemarks
January 1New Year's DayAno NovoCelebrates the beginning of the year. Festivities include counting down to midnight starting from the preceding night. It also signals the traditional end of the holiday season.
April 21Tiradentes DayDia de TiradentesAnniversary of the death of Tiradentes, considered the national martyr for being part of the Inconfidência Mineira, an insurgent movement that aimed to establish an independent Brazilian republic.
May 1Labour DayDia do TrabalhoCelebrates the achievements of workers and the labour movement.
September 7Independence DayDia da IndependênciaCelebrates Brazil's declaration of independence from Portugal on September 7, 1822.
October 12Our Lady of AparecidaNossa Senhora AparecidaCommemorates the Virgin Mary as Nossa Senhora da Conceição Aparecida, patron saint of Brazil.
November 2All Souls' DayDia de FinadosChristian holiday; it commemorates the faithful departed.
November 15Republic DayProclamação da RepúblicaCommemorates the end of the Empire of Brazil and the proclamation of the Brazilian Republic on November 15, 1889.
November 20Black Consciousness DayDia da Consciência NegraCelebrates the Black Consciousness Day in honor of Zumbi dos Palmares, born this day.
December 25Christmas DayNatalCelebrates the nativity of Jesus.

Secondary holidays

Fat Tuesday, The day of Carnival. Ash Wednesday Wednesday after Carnival, the last Carnival day.Good Friday, the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, is a municipal holiday in many places.Corpus Christi is celebrated on the Thursday, 60 days after Easter Sunday.Dia dos Namorados, the Brazilian equivalent of Valentine's Day, is observed on June 12. On this day, boyfriends and girlfriends, husbands and wives, exchange gifts, cards, or a flower bouquet. It is celebrated on the eve of St. Anthony of Padua's day, because, in Brazil, he is considered the patron of those who wants a loving companion.Festas Juninas, the Catholic feasts of Santo Antônio, São João and São Pedro are celebrated June 13, 24, and 29 respectively in many Brazilian cities, especially in the Northeast region.

Regional holidays

Federal law gives each state the right to create one state holiday, and each municipality to create up to four municipal holidays. Some of the more notable ones are: