The Real Guide to Brazilian Holidays in 2013
Brazil is famous for its several and long holidays. National, state and municipal holidays that become long weekends whenever this option is available can be a little bit tricky for foreigners coming to do business in Brazil. Learn in this article what are the Brazilian holidays and what days of the year should be avoided by business people.
Brazil celebrates several holidays: national, state and municipal holidays that can become a serious headache for foreigners who visit the country in order to do business. If you are unlucky enough to visit on a week with a holiday, you may have to extend your stay.
The purpose of this article is to mention what are the holidays in which people do not go to work in the whole country and in the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, which are the two major destinations for foreigners coming to Brazil.
Confraternização Universal
Just like in every country that follows the Christian calendar, New Years is celebrated on January 1st. In Brazil, January is summer time, so it is common to have people going to the beach to see the fireworks.
Many people in Brazil take off December 31st and if the New Year’s eve happens on a Thursday, it is likely that people will take a long weekend, getting back to work on Monday. If you are coming to Brazil in order to have a meeting, avoid scheduling anything from December 23rd to January 6th.
When will it happen in 2013?
On Tuesday, January 1st. Most people will be back to work on Wednesday, but it is not uncommon to have people getting back to business only on January 7th.
São Paulo’s anniversary (São Paulo city)
The city of São Paulo celebrates its anniversary every January 25th. The holiday is exclusive to the city of São Paulo, so if you have a meeting in Barueri, Guarulhos, Osasco or any of the surrounding cities, it will not be canceled. People working in São Paulo will take the day off.
When will it happen in 2013?
On Friday, January 25th.
Carnaval
In Brazil there is a say that business only start after Carnaval. Held 46 days before Easter, Carnaval starts on Friday and goes on until 12 pm of the next Wednesday. It is not a holiday, but people usually take off Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning.
If you are in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, you have the option of watching the parade (which is not for free, by the way), but what most people do is to take the long weekend to travel. In São Paulo, the major destination is the beach. Avoid scheduling meetings on the week prior to Carnaval and on the week of the feast.
When will it happen in 2013?
It starts on Friday, February 8th, and goes until Wednesday, February 13th.
Rio de Janeiro anniversary (Rio de Janeiro city)
On March 1st, Rio de Janeiro city celebrates its anniversary. Just like in São Paulo city, the holiday is exclusive to the city of Rio de Janeiro, so if your meeting is in Niteroi, for example, it will not be cancelled. Always check if the holiday is not happening on a Tuesday or Thursday, as this may compromise your entire week.
When will it happen in 2013?
On Friday, March 1st.
Sexta-feira Santa and Easter
Known as “Good Friday” by the English speakers, Sexta-Feira Santa is a holiday that takes place on the Friday prior to Easter. It is a religious holiday and with the exceptions of professionals working on a duty call, everybody takes the day off.
When will it happen in 2013?
It starts on Friday, March 29th, and goes to Sunday, March 31st.
Tiradentes
Tiradentes was a Brazilian revolutionary who was hanged and killed because of his participation on the Inconfidência Mineira movement. The holiday happens on April 21st. If it happens to be on a Tuesday or Thursday, Brazilians will definitely try to make it a long weekend. So before coming to Brazil, check if the holiday is not happening on a Tuesday or Thursday as there is a great probability that people will not go to work on these days.
When will it happen in 2013?
On Sunday, April 21st.
Dia de São Jorge (Rio de Janeiro)
Celebrated on the 23rd of April, it is a holiday celebrated in the whole state of Rio de Janeiro. People take the day off and depending on when it is happening, you may lose your entire week: as April 21st is a holiday, if it happens on Tuesday, for example, and then Dia de São Jorge happens on a Thursday, there is a chance that people will take the whole week off.
When will it happen in 2013?
On Tuesday, April 23rd.
Dia do Trabalhador
Also known as Labor Day, it is a holiday celebrated in many different countries. In Brazil, it is remarkable for its parades and popular concerts throughout the country. Unions promote parties in which cars, appliances and even apartments are raffled among the participants in the event.
As in 2013 the holiday will happen on a Wednesday, it is most likely that people will work the rest of the week. However, it is always good to check.
When will it happen in 2013?
On Wednesday, May 1st.
Corpus Christi
Another religious holiday, Corpus Christi is a Christian feast. It is celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, that happens on late May or early June. Avoid scheduling meetings for the Friday right after the holiday because, even though Friday is not a holiday, most Brazilians will take it off.
When will it happen in 2013?
On Thursday, May 30th.
Revolução Constitucionalista – (São Paulo)
On July 9th, the entire state of São Paulo celebrates its constitutionalist revolution. It is a state holiday and people will take the day off. If you are coming to São Paulo, check if the holiday is not happening on a Tuesday or Thursday, as Brazilians tend to make it a long weekend if so.
When will it happen in 2013?
On Tuesday, July 9th.
Independência do Brasil
The Brazilian Independence Day happens on September 7th. As a national holiday, everybody take the day off. The advice here is the same for Tiradentes: check if the holiday is not happening on a Tuesday or Thursday.
When will it happen in 2012 and 2013?
On Friday and Saturday, respectively.
Dia de Nossa Senhora Aparecida or Children’s Day
On October 12th, Brazilians celebrate both the Children’s Day and Nossa Senhora de Aparecida day, who is a Catholic saint who is considered to be the patroness of Brazil. It is a national holiday and everybody takes the day off. Just like with Tiradentes and Independence Day, check if the holiday is not happening on a Tuesday or Thursday.
When will it happen in 2012 and 2013?
On Friday and Saturday, respectively.
Finados
Celebrated on November 2nd, Finados is a holiday to honor the memory of the dead. It is a national holiday and people will take it off. Before scheduling a meeting, check if the holiday is not happening on a Thursday or Tuesday, as this may compromise more than half of the week.
When will it happen in 2012 and 2013?
On Friday and Saturday, respectively.
Proclamação da República
On November 15th, Brazilians celebrate the proclamation of the republic. It is a national holiday in which most people will take the day off. The observation here is the same: check if the holiday is not happening on a Tuesday or Thursday (it is a Thursday this year), to avoid compromising the rest of the week.
When will it happen in 2012 and 2013?
On Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Dia da Consciência Negra
On November 20th , some Brazilian cities like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Cuiabá celebrate Dia da Consciência Negra, which is a holiday to pay tribute to the black people who were enslaved in Brazil. It was only considered a holiday in 200 cities in 2011, so some locations are not so sure whether it is a holiday or not. The best option is to ask the company you are going to visit if they will be operating on the 20th or not.
When will it happen in 2012 and 2013?
On Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
Christmas
A Christian holiday, Christmas is celebrated throughout the country. This is a very delicate part of the year in Brazil as most Brazilians take their vacations between December and February. Many companies give part of the employee’s vacations in the period from Christmas and New Years and many will only be back by January 6th.
When will it happen in 2012 and 2013?
On Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.