Festivals and Events in São Paulo

São Paulo has a full calendar of festivals throughout the year. Here you will find information and a description of the events, with links to their websites where available...

São Paulo hosts many annual events throughout the year. Below find information on a selection of the local festivals and events.

Carnival

Although the São Paulo Carnival is not as well-known as Rio de Janeiro's Carnival, it provides an exciting alternative, with cheaper tickets and fewer tourists. The festival takes place over a long weekend in February and marks the beginning of Lent. Highlights of the carnival include parades, known as blocos, making their way down the Avenue Paulista. Many Brazilians dress in costume and parties take place throughout the city into the early hours. Dancers from Samba schools in the city compete in the Sambadrome for the highly coveted Samba prize.

São Paulo Fashion Week

Probably the biggest fashion event in Latin America, this event was originally called Morumbi Fashion Brasil, and takes place twice a year: in January and June. The event is held in the Parque Ibirapuera and features many top designer names.

Spirit of London

The Spirit of London is the biggest electronic music festival in Brazil held in March every year in the Sambódromo, Parque Anhembi. For one night, top Brazilian and international DJs host this club night that goes on into the early hours of the morning.

• For the Spirit of London website: Click here (in Portuguese)

Gay Pride

The largest gay pride parade in the world (Parada do Orgulho GLBT de São Paulo) is held in São Paulo on Avenida Paulista. The event is held in May, but the date varies from year to year.

• For further information from the Parado do Orguhlo website: Click here (in Portuguese)

São Vito Festival (San Vito)

One of the most important Italian celebrations in the city of São Paulo, this celebration of faith and heritage starts in mid-May and continues until early July. The event is in honour of Saint Vito, the patron saint of Polignano a Mare, in Puglia. Many inhabitants of the Brás district are originally from this city. During the festival, the Rua Fernandes Silva is filled with music, dancing and typical Italian dishes are served.

• For information from the Associação Beneficent São Vito Mártir on the São Vito Festival: Click here

São Paulo International Film Festival

An annual film festival that takes place in October and November. This non-profit event, organised by the Associação Brasileira Mostra Internacional de Cinema, is one of the most important festivals of its kind in Latin America. Each year the programme features over 400 films including documentaries, feature films and medium to short films.

• For the Associação Brasileira Mostra Internacional de Cinema website: Click here

São Paulo Biennual

Founded in 1951 and inspired by the Venice Biennual Art Festival, the São Paulo Art Biennual (Bienal São Paulo) has become one of the most important artistic events in the world. It takes place every two years between October and December. Participants are professional Brazilian and international artists who display their innovative, contemporary works in the Oscar Niemeyer building in the Parque Ibirapuera. The International Biennial for Architecture and Design takes place at the same time.

F1 Grand Prix of Interlagos

This Formula 1 Championship race takes place at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in Interlagos, the date changes annually. Interlagos has been home to many memorable races including the 2003 race which led to the unexpected win of Giancarlo Fisichella and the 2008 race with Lewis Hamilton becoming the youngest world champion in Formula One history. Interlagos will continue to hold the Brazilian Grand Prix until 2015.

• For the GP Brazil Formula 1 website: Click here