How Public Holidays Work in Brazil
Brazil has 10 national holidays (feriados nacionais). Carnival and Corpus Christi are "pontos facultativos" — optional days off that most businesses still take.
States and cities add their own holidays, such as São Paulo's Constitutionalist Revolution Day (9 July) and each city's patron saint day.
All Brazil Holidays in 1996
| Date | Holiday | About |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, Jan 1 | New Year's DayConfraternização Universal | New Year, celebrated on beaches in white clothing. |
| Mon, Feb 19 | Carnival MondayCarnavalOptional day off | Optional day off (ponto facultativo) during the famous Carnival. |
| Tue, Feb 20 | Carnival TuesdayCarnavalOptional day off | Last day of Carnival before Ash Wednesday. |
| Fri, Apr 5 | Good FridaySexta-feira Santa | National holiday before Easter Sunday. |
| Sun, Apr 21 | Tiradentes DayTiradentes | Honors independence hero Joaquim José da Silva Xavier. |
| Wed, May 1 | Labour DayDia do Trabalho | Workers' Day. |
| Thu, Jun 6 | Corpus ChristiOptional day off | Optional day off; streets are decorated with colorful sawdust carpets. |
| Sat, Sep 7 | Independence DayIndependência do Brasil | Independence from Portugal in 1822, with military parades. |
| Sat, Oct 12 | Our Lady of AparecidaNossa Senhora Aparecida | Brazil's patron saint; also Children's Day. |
| Sat, Nov 2 | All Souls' DayFinados | Families visit cemeteries to honor the dead. |
| Fri, Nov 15 | Republic Proclamation DayProclamação da República | Marks the end of the monarchy in 1889. |
| Wed, Dec 25 | Christmas DayNatal | Celebrates the birth of Jesus; the main feast is on Christmas Eve. |
Click a date to see it on the monthly calendar.
Long Weekends in 1996
- New Year's Day Dec 30 – Jan 1 · 3 days
- Good Friday Apr 5 – Apr 7 · 3 days
- Republic Proclamation Day Nov 15 – Nov 17 · 3 days
4 holidays fall on a weekend without a substitute day this year.
Plan 1996 Around These Holidays
Add your vacation and bridge days to a calendar, then export it as a printable PDF. For the full year at a glance see the 1996 calendar.
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