When people think about events in June around the world, they might picture summer festivals, outdoor concerts, or even weddings. However, for millions of Brazilians, June is synonymous with something much more vibrant, nostalgic, and deeply rooted in culture: the Festas Juninas. As a Brazilian living in the United States, I can say without hesitation, this is the event I miss the most. These colorful celebrations fill towns, schools, and homes with music, dance, costumes, and—most importantly—food. It’s a celebration of tradition, community, and joy. And for me, it’s also a vivid collection of childhood memories stitched together with family, food, and music.
The Origins and Importance of Events in June in Brazil
Festas Juninas are a series of traditional Brazilian celebrations held throughout June, primarily in honor of three Catholic saints: Saint Anthony (June 13), Saint John the Baptist (June 24), and Saint Peter (June 29). These events were originally brought by the Portuguese and have since evolved to reflect the unique blend of indigenous, Afro-Brazilian, and rural traditions.
Meanwhile, the festivals also celebrate the countryside and the harvest season. People wear caipira (country-style) outfits and organize parties that replicate the lifestyle of rural communities in a fun, festive way.
Growing up in Brazil, I vividly remember the Festas Juninas at my school. Ironically, as a child, I didn’t like them very much—I was incredibly shy, and the idea of dancing quadrilha with another kid in front of a crowd was mortifying! Still, year after year, I participated, and my mother always made or customized my dresses with so much care. She was excellent at sewing, and I think that’s where I got my love for DIY and customizing my own kids’ outfits in recent years.
One particular year during high school, the dance wasn’t quadrilha at all. Instead, we performed to a Shania Twain song, all dressed as cowboys. Funny enough, it reminds me a lot of Texas culture now that I live here—it was a moment of unexpected cultural foreshadowing.
The Role of Schools in Events in June
Schools across Brazil play a huge part in bringing Festas Juninas to life. Teachers and students spend weeks preparing dances, decorations, and games. The quadrilha, a traditional group dance with fun roleplay elements like a fake wedding and storytelling, is the star of the show.
Children wear patched clothes, straw hats, and painted freckles, mimicking the rural style. My sons also went through this tradition in Brazil—and just like my mother did for me, I used to customize their outfits every year. It became a little ritual I looked forward to, choosing fabric, sewing patches, and preparing them for the party.
Meanwhile, schools are filled with booths offering classic games like pescaria (fishing), ring toss, and sack races. It’s a time when the whole school community—parents, teachers, and kids—come together to celebrate.
These school-based events in June are much more than performances or fun activities. They are a way to pass down traditions, reinforce cultural identity, and strengthen community bonds from a very young age.
Regional Flavors and Typical Foods of Festas Juninas
One of the most anticipated aspects of Festas Juninas is the food. Every region of Brazil has its own culinary twist, but one ingredient unites them all: corn. Whether in the form of pamonha, canjica, curau, or bolo de milho, corn is the soul of the celebration.
Where I grew up, in São José dos Campos (São Paulo), there’s a very special dish that I looked forward to every year—bolinho caipira. It’s a deep-fried dough made with coarse corn flour and stuffed traditionally with ground beef, although today people use different fillings like chicken, cheese, or sausage. My mom has made this since I was little, and just thinking about it now brings a lump to my throat. This is my second June in a row without it, and I really miss the taste—and the warmth it brings.
In addition, we always had canjica, arroz doce, curau, and milho cozido. Speaking of corn on the cob, here in the U.S., the corn is much sweeter. In Brazil, we usually boil it in salted water and serve it with butter and salt—it becomes perfectly savory and delicious. Meanwhile, I’ve tried making a few treats at home in Texas that use local ingredients—pé de moleque (peanut brittle), cocada, and bolo de milho (corn cake) are easy enough to recreate.
However, it’s not always simple. Some key ingredients like the right kind of cornmeal (flocos) are hard to find here, and most of the savory options don’t translate well for local palates. There’s a lot of sweetness in Festa Junina dishes, and I’ve found that many Americans don’t enjoy the sugary treats the way we do. But still, I try.
Public Events in June: From Small Towns to Big Cities
Across Brazil, Festas Juninas range from small backyard parties to massive public festivals. Two of the most famous take place in the Northeast: Campina Grande (Paraíba) and Caruaru (Pernambuco). Each claims to host “the biggest São João in the world,” with live concerts, bonfires, colorful parades, and forró dancing that lasts for weeks.
In smaller towns and neighborhoods, streets are lined with paper flags, homemade food stands, and cheerful music. Meanwhile, in cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, churches, schools, and community centers host arraiás—complete with games, raffles, and forró bands.
Sadly, since moving to Texas, I haven’t been able to attend a Festa Junina near me. There is a Brazilian community celebration about 1 hour and 20 minutes away, but it’s hard to manage with two kids and work. So instead, I bring the celebration home. I decorate a little space, cook what I can, and we listen to forró or sertanejo classics. It’s not the same, but it’s something—and my kids still get a taste of what it means to be Brazilian.
The Bonfire Tradition: A Warm Symbol of Events in June
One of the most iconic elements of Festas Juninas is the bonfire. In almost every celebration—whether in a small backyard party or a large public event—you’ll find a fire burning brightly at the center of the gathering. Traditionally, the bonfire was lit in honor of Saint John the Baptist, symbolizing light, warmth, and protection. It’s also a place where people gather to dance, chat, and sometimes even roast corn or sausages.
As a child, I remember how excited we were just to be near the fire. There’s even a famous Brazilian folk song that goes, “Pula a fogueira, iaiá! Pula a fogueira, ioiô!”, which literally means “Jump over the bonfire, girl! Jump over the bonfire, boy!” While nowadays people are more cautious and usually keep a safe distance, the image of kids hopping around it or pretending to jump is still a cherished memory.
Meanwhile, here in the U.S., it’s hard to recreate that feeling. Fire regulations and climate differences often prevent us from lighting bonfires in the same way, but just talking about it—or even lighting a small candle—can bring back that magical warmth.
Personal Memories and the Feeling of “Saudade“
Of all the events in June, none trigger such deep nostalgia in me as Festa Junina. It’s the smells, the songs, the laughter, the food, and the costumes—all rolled into one. There’s something so comforting about a tradition that involves so many senses at once.
I remember the music from the quadrilhas, especially songs by Trio Nordestino or Dominguinhos, filling the air while kids danced in circles. I still feel that joy whenever I hear a forró melody. Meanwhile, the photos from those days—me with pigtails, freckles drawn with eyeliner, and a frilly dress—always make me laugh.
Living abroad makes these memories even more precious. They’re part of who I am and how I raise my kids. Even if we’re far from Brazil, I want them to understand the magic of Festas Juninas.
How to Celebrate Festas Juninas Abroad
For Brazilians abroad—or anyone who wants to experience this cultural gem—you can absolutely recreate a Festa Junina at home. Start small: hang up colored flags, play forró, and invite friends for a homemade arraiá.
Meanwhile, try simple recipes like bolo de fubá, canjica, or even hot dogs (which are also part of our arraiás). For kids, you can organize games like the fishing game or sack races. And if you like crafting, making fake bonfires with paper is a fun family activity.
In addition, you might find Brazilian communities in your area organizing something more traditional. Even if it’s far, attending just once can fill your heart for the rest of the year.
Conclusion: Why Events in June Matter
Events in June vary around the world, but few hold the emotional power of Brazil’s Festas Juninas. They are rooted in tradition, memory, and community. They teach us to be proud of our culture and to share it with the people around us.
Meanwhile, for immigrants like me, they are also a way of staying connected to home, to family, and to the parts of our identity that we never want to forget. As I light a candle, bake a corn cake, or tell my kids about quadrilha, I know I’m keeping something beautiful alive—even if we’re thousands of miles away.
