Major Events & Festivals in João Pessoa, Brazil

1. Carnival of João Pessoa

A vibrant city-wide celebration held in February, featuring colorful parades, samba dancers, and traditional Brazilian music.

Authentic Samba Experience: Offers a genuine taste of the Brazilian carnival experience.
Unique Costume Traditions: Features traditional costumes and floats inspired by local folklore.
Community Involvement: Encourages participation from locals and visitors alike.

A music festival held on the beach in July, featuring national and international artists.

Seaside Location: Takes place directly on the beautiful Paraibano coastline.
Diverse Music Genres: Showcases a variety of music styles, including rock, pop, and electronic dance music.
Sustainable Practices: Promotes eco-friendly practices to minimize environmental impact.

A cultural festival honoring Tiradentes, Brazil's national hero, held in October.

Historical Significance: Paying tribute to a key figure in Brazilian independence.
Artisanal Market: Features local artisans selling traditional crafts and food.
Cultural Performances: Offers performances of traditional music, dance, and theater.

A festival celebrating the biodiversity of Jundiaí National Park, held in August.

Nature Conservation: Raises awareness about the park's ecosystem and conservation efforts.
Wildlife Observations: Provides opportunities for guided tours to observe local wildlife.
Eco-Tourism Activities: Offers eco-friendly activities such as birdwatching and trekking.

An annual marathon event held in October, attracting runners from around the world.

Scenic Course: Routes through João Pessoa's beautiful beaches and city landscape.
Participant Support: Provides water stations, medical support, and race timing.
Post-Race Celebration: Offers a lively post-race party with food, drink, and music.

A kite festival held in July showcasing colorful and intricate kite designs.

Creative Designs: Displays various artistic kite designs from local and international artists.
Kite-Making Workshops: Offers workshops for visitors to create their own kites.
Community Participation: Encourages community involvement in the creation and flying of kites.

A holiday market offering traditional foods, crafts, and entertainment during December.

A film festival held in September showcasing national and international cinema.

Diverse Cinema: Presents a wide range of films from different genres and countries.
Director Q&As: Offers opportunities for audience interactions with film directors.
Workshops & Seminars: Provides educational workshops and seminars for aspiring filmmakers.

An annual surf competition held in July featuring professional surfers.

World-Class Waves: Takes place on Praia do Centro, known for its impressive waves.
Professional Competition: Attracts top professional surfers from around the world.
Surf Lessons & Workshops: Offers surf lessons and workshops for beginners and intermediates.

A food festival held in June celebrating local cuisine and culinary traditions.

Local Flavors: Highlights regional dishes such as moqueca, caruru, and vatapá.
Cooking Demonstrations: Features cooking demonstrations by local chefs.
Food Tasting Sessions: Offers food tasting sessions for visitors to sample traditional dishes.

A music festival held in August celebrating various genres of Brazilian music.

Brazilian Sounds: Showcases diverse genres of traditional and contemporary Brazilian music.
Local Artists Showcase: Highlights emerging and established artists from João Pessoa.
Workshops & Seminars: Offers workshops and seminars for music lovers and aspiring musicians.

An annual art festival held in May showcasing local and international artists.

Artistic Diversity: Features various mediums such as painting, sculpture, photography, and installation art.
Local Talent Promotion: Provides a platform for local artists to showcase their work.
Art Workshops & Demonstrations: Offers workshops and demonstrations by professional artists.

A pride parade held in June celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.

Inclusion & Diversity: Promotes inclusivity and diversity within the LGBTQ+ community.
Community Support: Provides a safe space for self-expression and solidarity.
Entertainment & Activities: Offers entertainment, activities, and resources related to LGBTQ+ issues.

A book fair held in September featuring local authors and publishers.

Literary Exchange: Promotes literary exchange between local and international authors.
Local Literature Showcase: Highlights works by local authors and publishers.
Workshops & Discussions: Offers workshops, discussions, and readings with authors.

A flower festival held in October showcasing various flowers and gardening techniques.

Botanical Diversity: Displays a variety of local and exotic flora.
Horticulture Workshops: Offers workshops on gardening techniques and plant care.
Flower Arranging Demonstrations: Features flower arranging demonstrations by professional florists.