The festivities of the June festivals
Where authenticity meets living traditions
When I ask people in Europe: ‘Which traditional Brazilian festival is celebrated the most extensively?’
I almost always get the answer: “That's Carnival, of course.” But that's exactly what's wrong!
The traditional lighting of Sky Candles opens the festivities. The medieval tradition of the May Tree. The bonfire that is lit on the night of 23 June (St. John's Day). And the campfires in front
of the houses in the city characterise the party scene.
One of the most popular São João attractions is the Forró train that runs from Recife to Caruaru. Live Forró bands play in the carriages, and guests dance during the journey to Caruaru. The city is also adorned with wonderfully decorated streets. Thousands of colourful pennants and lanterns span streets and squares.
Features that make this festival special
São João takes place in June and the festival usually lasts for 30 days. The men wear straw hats, checked shirts, dungarees or jeans with braces. The women come in colourful frilly dresses with
painted freckles. They wear their hair in ponytails or plaits.
Traditions characterise the celebration and are the main symbols of the June festivals. These include, above all, the food. Another attraction is the ‘Quadrilha’ folk dance, based on the French
quadrille. The dancers are accompanied by the atmospheric Forró music.
Shows, games, bonfires, firecrackers and fireworks create a cosy atmosphere.
Where does the best São João take place?
The ‘Festas Juninas’ are also known as ‘São João’ in Brazil. In English they are known as St. John's Fest and in German as Johannesfest.
For years, the cities of Campina Grande in Paraíba and Caruaru in Pernambuco have been competing for a place in the Guinness Book of Records. They are competing for the title of the largest São João in the world.
Campina Grande currently holds the title. Caruaru, on the other hand, is considered to have the most traditional and beautiful festival, with typical dishes and traditional music.
Caruaru is also known as the ‘Capital do Forró’ (Capital of Forró). The Luiz-Gonzaga Arena is one of the main attractions, drawing an average of 100,000 visitors a day.
During the 30 days of festivities, about 3.65 million people are in attendance. A total of 25 entertainment centres are available. The party includes 815 performances with over 500 artists and
creates more than 15,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Media interest in São João in Caruaru is enormous. In 2024, media reports were broadcast in Argentina, the United States, Germany, Mexico, Paraguay, Spain, France and Vietnam. There were around
5,100 online publications, more than 700 radio broadcasts and over 860 international television reports.
Forró, the traditional music of São João
Forró is a Brazilian music style and couple dance from the northeast of Brazil. Eastern European influences are clearly audible. Polka and schottische are closely related. There are also
similarities to Sinti and Roma music. With the mixing of the music of the African slaves, the music of the developed into Forró.
Traditional forró pé-de-serra uses three instruments: zabumba, accordion and triangle. In the 1990s, electronic instruments and drums were added. This is how forró eletrônico came about.
People dance to the fast rhythms of this folk music for nights on end. With a good forró trio, no party guest stays seated.
Typical dances and a quadrille as one of the main attractions
A highlight is the quadrille folk dance, similar to the American square dance, but based on the French quadrille.
The quadrilha presents pair formations around a simulated wedding. The bride and groom are the focus of the dance. This reflects the fertility of the land. Within the dance category, there are
various dance figures, to which the dancers are repeatedly invited by the caller.
Dancers from ‘Bumba Meu Boi’ are also represented. The dance is about a woman who wants to eat the tongue of an ox. Her husband kills the ox, which horrifies the owner. A healer enters and
revives the ox, and all the participants dance and celebrate.
No other event offers a menu as typically Brazilian as that of São João
The food and drinks are colourful and full of flavour and are the main attractions. The dishes are mostly made from cassava, corn, coconut and peanuts.
Local delicacies such as ‘pamonha’, a corn speciality with or without filling, ‘canjica’ or ‘mugunzá’, made from milk corn, corn bread, tapioca, cakes and other traditional dishes are sure to
delight. The most traditional drink is ‘quentão’, a hot drink with ginger, cloves and cinnamon, prepared with cachaça.
The Giant Food Circuit attracts many guests. Typical recipes are served to the public in gigantic portions, and new world records are constantly being set.
The festival is so extensive that I cannot mention many attractions due to lack of space
The traditional lighting of Sky Candles marks the beginning of the festivities. The medieval tradition of the Maypole, the great bonfire on the night of 23 June (St John's Day) and the bonfires
in front of the houses in the city shape the party scene.
One of the most popular São João attractions is the Forró train. It runs from Recife to Caruaru. Live Forró bands play in the carriages and the guests dance during the journey. The city is also
adorned with wonderfully decorated streets. Thousands of colourful pennants and lanterns span streets and squares.
Caruaru, the world capital of Forró
At the party, they play forró music and dance the traditional quadrille to it. The atmosphere is exuberant.
In the northeast, the party lasts for 30 continuous, exciting holidays that fill the entire month of June.
During the June festivities, various quadrille dance competitions take place, with forró music played.
Forró, corn dishes, quadrille, maypole and bonfire are the typical symbols of the June festivities.