About Festa Junina (São João)
Festa Junina is one of Brazil's most beloved celebrations, a month-long tribute to the "June saints" — Saint Anthony on June 13, Saint John the Baptist on June 24 and Saint Peter on June 29. Brought by Portuguese colonisers and blended with Indigenous and African harvest customs, it lights up the whole country, but nowhere more than the northeast, with bonfires, fireworks and a warm spirit of rural nostalgia.
Towns and neighbourhoods stage an arraial — a mock country fair decked in colourful bunting — where revellers in checked shirts and straw hats dance the quadrilha, a playful square dance, to the accordion-driven beat of forró. Stalls serve canjica, pamonha, corn on the cob and warm quentão, while couples leap over bonfires. Caruaru and Campina Grande host what Guinness recognises among the world's largest São João festivities.
Festa Junina runs throughout June, with celebrations concentrated around São João on June 24, the feast of Saint John the Baptist and the heart of the season. The countdown above always points to the next June 24, so it never goes stale — add Festa Junina to your own countdown page and count down to the bonfires and forró.
Upcoming dates
| 2026 | Wednesday, June 24, 2026next |
| 2027 | Thursday, June 24, 2027 |
| 2028 | Saturday, June 24, 2028 |
| 2029 | Sunday, June 24, 2029 |
| 2030 | Monday, June 24, 2030 |
FAQ
When is Festa Junina?
Festa Junina runs through June, peaking on São João, June 24 — the feast of Saint John the Baptist. The countdown above shows the time until the next one.
Why is Festa Junina celebrated?
It honours the popular June saints — Anthony, John the Baptist and Peter — and gives thanks for the harvest, blending Portuguese, Indigenous and African traditions.
How is Festa Junina celebrated?
With bonfires, fireworks, forró music and quadrilha square dancing at country-style arraiais, where people wear checked shirts and eat corn-based treats.
Where is the biggest Festa Junina?
The northeastern cities of Caruaru (Pernambuco) and Campina Grande (Paraíba) host the largest São João festivities, among the biggest in the world.