Public holidays in Brazil
In Brazil, public holidays may be legislated at the federal, statewide and municipal levels. Most holidays are observed nationwide, but each state and city may have its own holidays as well.[1]
Apart from the yearly official holidays (listed below),[2][3][4] the Constitution of Brazil also establishes that election days are to be considered national holidays as well. General elections are held on the first Sunday of October, in the first round, and on the last Sunday of October, in the second round, of every even year. Numerous religious and ethnic holidays are also celebrated in Brazil.[5]
| Date | English name | Portuguese name | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day | Ano Novo/ Confraternização Universal | Celebrates the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. Festivities include counting down to midnight on the preceding night. Traditional end of the holiday season. |
| April 21 | Tiradentes' Day | Dia de Tiradentes | Anniversary of the death of Tiradentes (1792), considered a national martyr for being part of the Inconfidência Mineira, an insurgent movement that aimed to establish an independent Brazilian republic. |
| May 1 | Labour Day | Dia do Trabalhador (Dia do Trabalho) | Celebrates the achievements of workers and the labour movement. This holiday is also known as May Day around the world. |
| September 7 | Independence Day | Dia da Independência | Celebrates the Declaration of Independence from Portugal on September 7, 1822. |
| October 12 | Our Lady of Aparecida | Nossa Senhora Aparecida | Commemorates the Virgin Mary as Nossa Senhora da Conceição Aparecida, Patron Saint of Brazil. Also celebrated as Children's Day (Dia das Crianças) on the same date. |
| November 2 | All Souls' Day | Dia de Finados | Another Christian holiday, it commemorates the faithful departed. |
| November 15 | Republic Day | Proclamação da República | Commemorates the end of the Empire of Brazil and the proclamation of the Brazilian Republic on November 15, 1889. |
| December 25 | Christmas | Natal | Celebrates the nativity of Jesus. |
References
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