The so-called winter festivals have been taking place for decades in different Brazilian cities. During the month of July, free (or affordable) events are a hit with locals and tourists, who come in search of the mild weather of the season and the special activities organized for the occasion.
Among the festivals, there are exhibitions, shows, theater performances, dance, circus, workshops and many other attractions, also involving food courts with food that matches the low temperatures.
According to Booking.com, the three main destinations sought for the July holidays are: Campos do Jordão, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Campos is known for organizing its traditional winter festival for years and will have more than 60 free concerts until the end of the month.
Cities in the interior of São Paulo and Rio, in turn, will also have special programs, most of them free of charge, as well as municipalities in Minas Gerais.
Check out 7 winter festivals to go to in SP, RJ and MG during July:
-
Campos do Jordão Festival (SP)
One of the most traditional and well-known winter festivals in Brazil, the Campos do Jordão Festival will be in its 54th edition in 2024. According to the Booking.com platform, the destination is the most sought after in the country for the season. Its low temperatures attract tourists from all over, who seek out its many attractions, including tours, bars, restaurants, and of course, the famous event, considered one of the largest classical music events in Latin America.
The Campos do Jordão Winter Festival started on June 29th and will run until July 28th.
In total, there will be more than 60 free concerts – for the first time, the event will welcome international orchestras. Other performances include: the São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra (Osesp); Usp Symphony Orchestra; the Symphonies of Campinas, Sorocaba, Mogi das Cruzes, Santos, Indaiatuba, Jundiaí and Guarulhos, and much more.
The complete program can be seen in this link.
-
Ouro Preto Winter Festival (MG)
With completely free programming, the winter festival of Ouro Preto, in Minas Gerais completes 67 years of history in 2024. The city, Cultural Heritage of Humanity, birthplace of the Inconfidência Mineira and famous for its baroque style, will welcome tourists from Brazil for its exhibitions, plays, dance performances, concerts, shows and other cultural activities that will take place until July 31st.
In this edition, the program will feature 80% of Ouro Preto artists, including the famous Ouro Preto Orchestra, which will perform on July 8th with the singer John Bosco in celebration of the city’s 313th anniversary. Other well-known names on the national music scene are also confirmed: Maria Rita , Ana Carolina , Red Baron It is Xande of Pillars are just some of them.
The complete list of attractions can be seen in this linkand will also feature a gastronomic circuit of the region’s main restaurants offering typical dishes.
-
Serra Negra Winter Festival (SP)
Until July 28th, Serra Negra promotes its winter festival. The so-called “Serra Negra In Concert” will feature almost 100 free attractions throughout the city and for all ages. The event will feature shows, dance performances, recreational and circus activities, as well as special events such as the Festa Julina.
The full schedule can be found here on the official website of the city hall.
-
Amparo winter festival (SP)
O Amparo Winter Festival reaches its 23rd edition in 2024. Its program will take place from the 5th to the 28th of July at Praça Pádua Salles and will feature more than 150 completely free attractions, including theater, music, dance, visual arts, exhibitions and cultural workshops.
Among the main confirmed artists are: Daniel Bonaventura , Diogo Nogueira , Gian and Giovani , Tiana’s Boy , Will! , Outrage to Rigor , Malta Band , Maria Cecília & Rodolfo , Bicho de Pé Band , Speak softly , Vanessa da Mata , Fafá de Belém It is João Bosco & Vinícius .
There will be four stages, the main one being “Vozes do Inverno”, where great shows will take place, in addition to the Hugo Baradel Stage, Concha Acústica Stage and Mogiana Stage, the latter located in the food court, which will offer different gastronomic options.
The full festival schedule can be found here at this link.
-
Winter in the Mountains (Monte Verde – MG)
A small district of Camanducaia, in the extreme south of Minas Gerais, Monte Verde was chosen as the most welcoming destination in Brazil by users of the Booking.com platform last year. It is also famous for its gastronomy, mild climate, abundant nature and outdoor activities.
A sure destination for winter lovers, Monte Verde (MG) will have a packed cultural program during “Winter in the Mountains”, which will take place in every Saturday in July, with free dance and music performances on weekends. There will be square dance groups, jazz, ballet, orchestra, among other attractions.
The complete schedule can be seen at this link.
-
Sesc Winter Festival (RJ)
In July 12-28 the Social Service of Commerce (Sesc) will promote its winter’s festival in its units in 22 cities in the state of Rio de Janeiro. They are: Itaipava, Nova Friburgo, Petrópolis, Teresópolis, Barra de São João, Búzios, Cabo Frio, Campos, Cardoso Moreira, Casimiro de Abreu, Grussaí, Itaperuna, Macaé (Sana), Magé (Piabetá), Miguel Pereira, Penedo, Porciúncula, Rio das Ostras, São Gonçalo, Silva Jardim, Tanguá, Três Rios, Valença, Vassouras.
There will be more than 500 cultural attractions spread across the municipalities, including concerts, plays, visual arts, dance performances, among others. Some activities will be paid (available at affordable prices), but all those that will take place outdoors will be free.
More information available at site.
-
Poços de Caldas Winter Festival (MG)
In Poços de Caldas, also in Minas Gerais, the city’s Winter Festival will take place July 12-28 bringing together approximately 140 attractions including musical shows, plays, circus, dance, exhibitions, popular culture and recreation. The program is almost all free, with tickets at popular prices for some shows at the Benigno Gaiga Theater.
Several spaces in the city will be part of the event’s programming. Among them, Praça Dom Pedro II (Praça dos Macacos) will host the “Children’s World”, with recreational activities and artistic performances for children from Monday to Friday.
The Antônio Molinari Municipal Park, South Zone Ecological Park, José Affonso Junqueira Park, Cascatinha Arena, Dom Pedro II Square, Museum, CEU, IMS Poços, Urca Cultural Space, Santa Rita Lookout, São José Lookout, Street Art Expo, Mário Mourão Spa, Centennial Library and the Municipal Market Cultural Box are also part of the list of places that will host Festival activities.
The full schedule can be accessed in this link
Source: CNN Brasil
Johanna Foster is an expert opinion writer with over 7 years of experience. She has a reputation for delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles on a variety of subjects. Her work can be found on some of the top online news websites, and she is currently lending her voice to the world stock market.
