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In Brazil, public holidays may be legislated at the federal, statewide and municipal levels. Most holidays are observed nationwide.[1]

Apart from the yearly official holidays (listed below),[2][3][4] the Constitution of Brazil also establishes that election days are to be considered national holidays as well. General elections are biennially held on the first Sunday of October in the first round, and on the last Sunday of October in the second round. Numerous religious and ethnic holidays are also celebrated in Brazil.

Date English name Portuguese name Remarks
January 1 New Year's Day Ano Novo / Confraternização Universal Celebrates the beginning of the year. Festivities include counting down to midnight starting from the preceding night. It also signals the traditional end of the holiday season.
April 21 Tiradentes' Day Dia de Tiradentes Anniversary of the death of Tiradentes (1792), considered the national martyr for being part of the Inconfidência Mineira, an insurgent movement that aimed to establish an independent Brazilian republic.
May 1 Labour Day Dia do Trabalhador / Dia do Trabalho Celebrates the achievements of workers and the labour movement.
September 7 Independence Day Dia da Independência Celebrates Brazil's declaration of independence from Portugal on September 7, 1822.
October 12 Our Lady of Aparecida Nossa Senhora Aparecida Commemorates the Virgin Mary as Nossa Senhora da Conceição Aparecida, patron saint of Brazil.
November 2 All Souls' Day Dia de Finados Christian holiday; it commemorates the faithful departed.
November 15 Republic Proclamation Day Proclamação da República Commemorates the end of the Empire of Brazil and the proclamation of the Brazilian Republic on November 15, 1889.
November 20 Zumbi dos Palmares Day Dia da Consciência Negra Celebrates the Black Awareness Day in honor of Zumbi dos Palmares, born this day (year is uncertain).
December 25 Christmas Natal Celebrates the nativity of Jesus.
State dependent State Holiday Feriado Estadual - Data magna do Estado State defined public Holiday. (eg. São Paulo Constitutionalist Revolution on July 9)

Secondary holidays

Regional holidays

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (August 2008)

Federal law gives each state the right to create one state holiday, and each municipality to create up to four municipal holidays. Some of the more notable ones are: 

* Emancipation of the city of Campo Grande, City of Campo Grande only.
* Founding of SE Palmeiras, City of São Paulo only.

References

  1. ^ "L9093". Presidência da República Casa Civil.
  2. ^ "L0662". Presidência da República Casa Civil.
  3. ^ "L6802". Presidência da República Casa Civil.
  4. ^ "L10607". Presidência da República Casa Civil.

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