It may resemble Carnival, but this is the Parintins Festival in Brazil’s Amazon region. Over three nights, two rival groups deliver spectacular performances retelling a beloved legend of the death and resurrection of an ox. (Courtesy of Lucas Silva/Amazonastur)
Come rain or shine, no matter the time of year, Brazilians are always ready to celebrate. In addition to Carnival—Brazil’s most famous festival, known as the “greatest spectacle on Earth”—the country boasts many other dazzling festivals and celebrations, bringing together thousands of participants to enjoy local food, dance, music, traditional games, and religious processions.
These events, held year-round from north to south, showcase the traditions, spirituality, folklore, and diverse peoples that make up Brazil’s vibrant cultural tapestry. Delta—connecting Brazil and the United States for 28 years with convenient routes and renowned top-notch service—makes it easy and enjoyable for travelers to reach the country that hosts these incredible spectacles.
Here are four of Brazil’s most iconic festivals that every traveler seeking fun and cultural immersion should add to their list of once-in-a-lifetime adventures.
- Festa Junina – June | Nationwide
If you’re planning a trip to Brazil in June, get ready to join one of the country’s most joyful and photogenic celebrations: Festa Junina. This vibrant festival, with roots in Portuguese colonization and enriched by Indigenous and African traditions, transforms towns and cities across Brazil into a carnival of color, music, and irresistible food.
Honoring saints like Saint Anthony, Saint John, and Saint Peter, Festa Junina is famed for its rustic charm. Streets and squares are decked out with colorful flags and banners, setting the stage for quadrilhas—lively group dances where participants don playful costumes: men sport checkered shirts and straw hats, while women twirl in ruffled dresses and bright makeup. Everywhere you look, there’s the scent of traditional treats: from quentão (a warming cachaça-based spiced drink) and canjica (sweet corn cream) to paçoca (peanut candy) and corn cake.
Though celebrated nationwide, the most legendary Festa Junina parties happen in Brazil’s northeast. Campina Grande (Paraíba) and Caruaru (Pernambuco) compete for the title of the “world’s biggest São João,” each hosting massive, multi-week festivals packed with concerts, dances, and food stalls. In 2025, Campina Grande’s festivities run from May 30 to July 6, while Caruaru’s party stretches from April 25 to June 28—both offering free admission, with VIP suites available for those seeking a premium experience.
Whether you’re after authentic local culture, festive vibes, or just an excuse to dance and indulge, Festa Junina offers an unforgettable taste of Brazil’s heart and soul.
HOW TO GET THERE WITH DELTA AND LATAM:
Delta has direct flights from its hubs in Atlanta and New York-JFK to São Paulo and from Atlanta to Rio de Janeiro. From the two Brazilian cities, customers should fly with LATAM to João Pessoa, the capital of Paraíba, where they can take a ground transfer or rent a car to go to Campina Grande, 78 miles away.
For the Caruaru party, flights depart from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to Recife, the capital of Pernambuco. Customers then must take a ground transfer or rent a car to go to Caruaru, 82 miles away.
- Feast of the Divine – June | Nationwide
Looking for a unique blend of spirituality, history, and culture? The Feast of the Divine (Festa do Divino) is a standout celebration that takes place across Brazil, marking the Day of Pentecost—50 days after Easter—when, according to Christian tradition, the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and Mary. In 2025, the festival reaches its peak on June 8.
Introduced by Portuguese colonizers, this deeply rooted tradition fills cities and towns with vibrant processions, colorful banners honoring the Holy Spirit, church services, folk dances, and live music. While celebrated throughout the country, one of the most captivating experiences unfolds in Pirenópolis (Goiás). Here, the Feast coincides with the Cavalhadas—a dramatic equestrian spectacle where horsemen, dressed as Moors and Christians, reenact the historic 15th-century battles that led to the expulsion of the Moors from the Iberian Peninsula. It’s a fascinating fusion of faith, theater, and pageantry set against Pirenópolis’s charming colonial backdrop.
Other noteworthy celebrations can be found in São Luiz do Paraitinga (São Paulo), Paraty (Rio de Janeiro), São João del Rei (Minas Gerais), and São Luís (Maranhão), each offering its own local flair and festive atmosphere. For travelers, the Feast of the Divine is a perfect way to dive into Brazil’s rich tapestry of religious and historical traditions—while enjoying the lively, welcoming spirit that makes these events so memorable.
HOW TO GET THERE WITH DELTA AND LATAM:
Delta offers direct flights from its hubs in Atlanta and New York–JFK to São Paulo, as well as from Atlanta to Rio de Janeiro. From these two Brazilian cities, travelers interested in visiting the Pirenópolis Feast of the Divine can take LATAM’s daily flights to Goiânia, the capital of Goiás. From there, a ground transfer or rental car is needed to reach Pirenópolis, located 80 miles away.
To get to São Luiz do Paraitinga, the best option is to fly into São Paulo and then take a ground transfer or rent a car for the 96-mile journey to the city. For those heading to the Paraty celebration, the ideal route is to fly into Rio de Janeiro and continue by ground transfer or rental car to Paraty, which is 150 miles from the “Marvelous City.”
The easiest way to reach São João del Rei—another city known for its popular Festa do Divino—is via Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais. LATAM offers several flights from both São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to Belo Horizonte. From there, travelers can arrange a ground transfer or rent a car for the 116-mile trip to São João del Rei.
To reach São Luís, the capital of Maranhão, LATAM offers daily flights from both São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
- Parintins Folklore Festival – June 27–29, 2025 | Parintins, Amazonas
Deep in the heart of the Amazon, the Parintins Folklore Festival is one of Brazil’s most spectacular and unique cultural events. Centered around the Boi-Bumbá legend—a colorful folktale about the death and miraculous resurrection of an ox—this festival turns the quiet riverside town of Parintins into a buzzing epicenter of music, dance, and dazzling pageantry.
For three thrilling nights, two rival teams—Caprichoso (blue) and Garantido (red)—face off in the Bumbódromo, an arena that holds 16,500 eager fans. Each group stages an over-the-top performance, complete with enormous floats, intricately crafted costumes, booming percussion, and jaw-dropping special effects, all designed to retell the legendary tale in the most captivating way possible. It’s a heated but friendly competition that grips the crowd and keeps spectators on their feet, cheering passionately for their team.
Caprichoso, the reigning champion with a streak of three consecutive wins, dazzles in blue, while Garantido electrifies the arena with its bold red displays. Months of preparation culminate in these high-energy shows, which blend folklore, Indigenous heritage, and regional pride into an unforgettable spectacle of sound and color.
In 2025, the festival runs from June 27 to 29. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a culture lover, or simply someone looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the Parintins Festival promises a mesmerizing journey into the soul of the Amazon.
HOW TO GET THERE WITH DELTA AND LATAM:
Delta offers direct flights from its hubs in Atlanta and New York–JFK to São Paulo, as well as from Atlanta to Rio de Janeiro. From these two Brazilian cities, travelers can connect with LATAM flights to Manaus, the capital of Amazonas.
From Manaus, one option to reach Tupinambarana Island is by riverboat. The journey down the Amazon River takes approximately 18 hours to cover the 260-mile distance. On the return trip to Manaus, the voyage typically takes around 24 hours.
- Oktoberfest – October 8–26, 2025 | Blumenau, Santa Catarina
When it comes to Oktoberfest, Germany may have started it—but Brazil has made it its own! Thanks to waves of German immigrants who settled in southern Brazil in the 19th century, Oktoberfest has become one of the country’s most beloved cultural events, blending beer-fueled fun with rich traditions in food, music, and dance.
While many Brazilian cities host Oktoberfest celebrations, the grandest of them all takes place in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, where the streets come alive each October with parades, folk dances, and an endless flow of chopp (draft beer). Visitors can savor authentic German cuisine, join in lively Schuhplattler dances, and enjoy traditional Bavarian music, all while soaking in the festive atmosphere of this picturesque southern city.
In 2025, Blumenau’s Oktoberfest runs from October 8 to 26, offering something for every traveler—whether you’re there to raise a stein, admire the traditional costumes, or simply revel in the joyful spirit of it all.
Whether you’re a beer enthusiast or a culture lover, Blumenau’s Oktoberfest is an unmissable celebration of German heritage with a distinctive Brazilian twist—cheers to that!
HOW TO GET THERE WITH DELTA AND LATAM:
Delta offers direct flights from its hubs in Atlanta and New York–JFK to São Paulo, as well as from Atlanta to Rio de Janeiro. From these two Brazilian cities, travelers can connect with LATAM flights to Navegantes, located 34 miles from Blumenau. From the Navegantes Airport, an executive bus transfer is available, taking passengers directly to Downtown Blumenau.
Discover Brazil with Delta and LATAM
Delta connects travelers to Brazil with service to both São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. São Paulo is accessible via Delta’s hubs in Atlanta and New York-JFK, with the New York route operated by the state-of-the-art Airbus A330-900neo. This aircraft offers Delta’s exclusive Delta One Suites—featuring private doors, fully flat-bed seats, gourmet meals, and amenity kits by Italian luxury brand Missoni—as well as the Delta One Lounge at JFK, where premium travelers can indulge in fine dining, spa-like wellness treatments, valet service, and more.
For Rio de Janeiro, Delta offers four weekly flights from Atlanta, and during the U.S. winter season, it also operates a seasonal route between New York and the “Marvelous City.” Both routes feature four cabin experiences—Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort, and Delta Main — designed to meet a wide range of traveler preferences.
Thanks to Delta’s partnership with LATAM through their Joint Venture, customers can easily connect from São Paulo and Rio to more than 300 destinations across North and South America. Whether you’re heading to Brazil’s iconic festivals or exploring its endless wonders, Delta and LATAM make it simple to experience the vibrant heart of this extraordinary country.
