After Carnaval, the festas juninas (June Festivals) are the most important representation of Brazil’s popular culture. Just look at the multitude of people who meet every year -especially in the northeastern states- to celebrate St. John, St. Anthony, and Saint Peter. Throughout the month of June and in different cities of the country, the June Festivals in Brazil are held, one of the great events in the calendar of festivities of the country, coinciding with the classic "winter solstice” that is a kind of an “Indian summer” and occurs at this time of year in Brazil; fresh, pleasant and perfect for celebrating.   [caption id="attachment_13893" align="aligncenter" width="675"]June Festivals in Brazil The June Festivals represent life in the countryside and both the decoration and the clothing take us to these places / Photo: Revista Traveling[/caption]   Cities decorated with striking colors, folkloric rhythms, traditional food stalls, and dance competitions. How good does that sound, right? It's time to take your plaid shirt out of the closet and get ready to dance, laugh, play and celebrate one of the most enjoyable and anticipated periods of the year: the June Festivals in northeastern Brazil. Are you ready to try authentic food and dance to the rhythm of forró, frevo, and drag-foot? But before that, maybe you are asking yourself, what is the origin of these traditional festivals? There are at least two theories about the origin of the term "June festival". The first explains that it arose as a result of the religious festivities that took place and continue to take place during the month of June. These festivities were held in honor of three Catholic saints: Saint John, Saint Peter, and Saint Anthony. Another version maintains that the name of this festival comes from the Catholic countries of Europe and, therefore, would only be in honor of Saint John. In fact, in the beginning, the party was called “Johannine”. According to historians, this festival was brought to Brazil by the Portuguese during the colonial period. At that time, there was a great influence from Portuguese, Chinese, Spanish and French cultural elements. From France, the marked dance inherited, characteristic of the noble dances and that, in Brazil, influenced a lot in the typical quadrilhas (artistic groups typical of the June festivals). The tradition of setting off fireworks comes from China, where the manipulation of gunpowder for the manufacture of fireworks would have appeared. And from the Iberian Peninsula came the ribbon dances, typical in Portugal and Spain. Over time, all these cultural elements managed to merge with the traditions of Brazilians (indigenous, Afro-Brazilian and European immigrants) in the different regions of the country, highlighting the particular characteristics in each of them.   [caption id="attachment_13899" align="aligncenter" width="675"]June Festivals in Brazil It is believed that the festival was introduced by the Portuguese settlers who continued, in their new land, the tradition of celebrating the summer solstice in Europe / Photo: Revista El Embarque[/caption]
  Full of color, joy, and attractions for all tastes and profiles, today we have listed the 5 best and biggest “June Festivals” in Brazil this year. Aim to not miss anything!

1. Campina Grande (Paraíba)

The festival of Campina Grande in Paraíba was self-proclaimed as the “biggest festival of Saint John in the world”. This year its 36th edition is celebrated for a whole month: from June 7th to July 7th. The inauguration will be opened by Ivete Sangalo, the eve of Saint John will feature a show by Elba Ramalho and the closing of the party will be led by Marília Mendonça. Other local artists include Wesley Safadão, Xand Avião, Alceu Valença, Flávio José, Gabriel Diniz, Márcia Fellipe, Léo Santana, Gusttavo Lima, Joelma and Aldair Playboy.   [caption id="attachment_13895" align="aligncenter" width="675"]June Festivals in Brazil The festival of Saint John of Campina Grande, Paraíba, is considered by many the best in Brazil / Photo: O Globo[/caption]  

2. Caruaru (Pernambuco)

The “Captial of Forró”, also holds the title for the largest Saint John festival in the world. And in Caruaru, located in the desert of Pernambuco, entertainment has no limit or end. This year there will be almost 500 shows in six points throughout the city, quadrilha of up to 4 thousand people, forrós, huge culinary festivals and parades that fill the Luiz Gonzaga Events Patio. This year, from June 4th to the 29th, the city will be adorned with more than 50 thousand meters of flags, 60 themed dolls and hundreds of balloons. Elba Ramalho and Flávio José will be in charge of the inauguration. Some confirmed local artists are Gusttavo Lima, Matheus & Kauan, Dorgival Dantas and Adelmário Coelho. For more information, click here.   [caption id="attachment_13894" align="aligncenter" width="675"]June Festivals in Brazil The Saint John festival in Pernambuco has a strong tradition and receives a large flow of tourists from neighboring cities and from other parts of the country and the world / Photo: Revista El Embarque[/caption]
Travel Tip: Two hours away, the capital of Recife also promotes an intense program with its "São João da Capitá", on June 11th and 12th. Among the confirmed attractions are the shows of Wesley Safadão, Jorge and Mateus, Aviões do Forró and Victor and Léo.

3. Salvador (Bahia)

We know that Bahia is always associated with Carnaval, in the month of June the party changes rhythm but the fun never ends! In Salvador, there will be more than 100 free shows in the Pelourinho and in the Ferrocarril (Railroad) suburb. The whole city will be adorned with artistic interventions inspired by the popular culture of Bahia on each day. From June 3rd to the 5th, the "Arraiá do Galinho" will be presented at the Salvador Exhibition Park, with shows by Ivete Sangalo, Pablo, Calcinha Preta, Amado Batista, Cavaleiros do Forró, Joelma, among others. Extra Info: Among the most outstanding parties in the interior of Bahia are: "Arraiá do Chico", in São Francisco do Conde (June 23rd-29th), and "Forró do Piu-Piu", in Amargosa (June 24th). [caption id="attachment_13896" align="aligncenter" width="675"]June Festivals in Brazil The Bahian capital also has a very lively Saint John, full of typical costumes, caipira weddings, typical food and a variety of musical attractions / Photo: HotelUrbano.com[/caption]  

4. Maceió, Alagoas

The June Festivals in Maceió may not have the fame that the parties of Campina Grande, Caruaru and so many other cities in the northeast have, but they do not deserve to be forgotten. This year they will be held between June 19th and 29th and them is “from Mestre Zinho to Zé Mocó, Forró Bom in Maceió”, and there will be a party of 50 festivals throughout the city with presentations by famous artists such as Marília Mendonça and Gustavo Lima to quadrilha competitions.   [caption id="attachment_13897" align="aligncenter" width="675"]June Festivals in Brazil The festivities will officially open with the departure of the traditional Forró Train to the Fernão Velho neighborhood / Photo: QualViagem.com[/caption]   Extra Info: For those who like the beach and want to enjoy Saint John in a holiday environment, the capital's resorts are a great option. Pratagy Beach All Inclusive Resort, for example, will have a special schedule for the season with many activities for children and authentic meals and drinks for adults. Another great tip is the Café de La Music Maceió, which always has unforgettable parties.

5. Teresina (Piauí)

The 24th edition of Cidade Junina in Teresina will take place from the 9th of June until the 16th, at the Rio Poty Shopping Center, in Teresina-PI. This 2019 it is expected that more than 300 thousand attend the event during the eight days of celebration, which has the "Popular Culture" theme this year. In addition to the traditional festival of quadrilha, there will be junina schools, a fair of products and services, a culinary fair with the best food from the northeast, a community wedding of more than 200 couples, an amusement park, musical shows, comedy, various cultural attractions, craft fairs and a food court with typical regional food. Do not miss it!   [caption id="attachment_13902" align="aligncenter" width="675"]June Festivals in Brazil More than 300 thousand people will enjoy eight days of celebration in Cidade Junina, Teresina / Photo: QualViagem.com[/caption]   Travel Tip: It is common for commemorative days to change and be scheduled for different days of the week. For this reason, we recommend you keep up with the changes and know when the party you want to attend will occur.

To keep in mind during the June Festivals in Brazil

- We advise you to rent a car and go to the best parties in June in the northeast so you can enjoy them for much longer. - In Brazil, the corn harvest occurs during the month of June, the dishes based on this grain characterize the party. In the Northeast of Brazil, where there are arid regions, farmers celebrate the good harvest, thanking Saint Peter and Saint John for the much-needed rains. - The most common typical dishes are pamonha, cooked corn, fubá cake, canjica (porridge), sweet rice, moleque pé (peanut candy), couscous, cocada (coconut candy), sweet potatoes, popcorn and mulled wine. - One of the most important moments of the party is the "quadrilha", in which the participants wear field clothes, the women wear multicolored dresses, braids, and ornaments; and the dance is directed by a teacher who determines the steps of the choreography. - In the northeast, young people go through the streets and in each house they pick up food that neighbors leave in the windows. They are the so-called "festeiros".   [caption id="attachment_13898" align="aligncenter" width="675"]June Festivals in Brazil Corn is the protagonist of these parties. Try the pamonha, cooked corn, fubá cake, canjica and the sweet rice / Photo: Daytours4u[/caption]   Living the experience of the June Festivals in Brazil means knowing another side of one of the countries with the greatest cultural diversity, which is undoubtedly worth enjoying. If you plan to travel to the northeast region of Brazil this month, do not miss the opportunity to live this unique holiday, which will surely be an unforgettable experience.  

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By: Nathaly Bosch, Venezuelan, social communicator by profession and curious traveler by choice. Writer in Spanish for Daytours4u.