New Year’s Eve

The New Year’s Eve party brings everyone together in the Quadrado for a beautiful fireworks display behind the famous church. On the same night, very trendy parties take place on the beaches of Trancoso, Arraial D’Ajuda and Caraíva.

Feast of Kings 06/01

The Feast of Kings is a folkloric celebration, with leather samba and the boi bumbá. During the party, which takes place in the Quadrado, the participants sing the traditional song that tells the story of the importance of the ox and its characters. Everyone has a great time, including the children.

São Sebastião 19/01

The festivities begin the previous year with the choice of the festival’s host, who will provide lunch, drinks and decorations for the participants. On the evening of January 18, at the Casa das Festas located on the Quadrado, the traditional samba de couro kicks off the celebration with a song that tells stories of the village and is repeated throughout the party. A stage hosts regional forró bands, such as the singer Elba Ramalho, with much merriment throughout the night. At dawn, a group of people, accompanied by the samba de couro, search for the new mast in front of the church. Lunch is served at noon in the Casa das Festas and the mass and procession are held in the late afternoon, followed by the mast pulling. The sacred mast is changed every year and painted by local artist Valquito Lima, who continues his grandfather’s tradition. The mast raises the new flag of the Saint, painted by the artist Damião.

• Iemanjá 02/02

February 2nd is the day of Iemanjá, a deity considered to be the queen of the seas. On this date, in the morning and throughout the day, rituals are held to celebrate the mother of the waters. Umbanda and Candomblé groups, with their baianas in typical white and blue clothing, fathers and mothers of saints and their devotees, bring their culture of singing, greetings and offerings to the orisha to the seaside. Smelling water and many flowers are offered to her at sea by the groups accompanying the celebration. Boats with the offerings are also taken out to sea. It’s a beautiful celebration to take part in or just admire.

• São Brás 03/02

The feast of São Brás begins on the evening of February 2nd and ends only at dusk on the 3rd. Its celebrations are similar to those of São Sebastião, including the song that resonates like a mantra and only changes the name of the Saint honored in its lyrics. The energy of the people celebrating this very special date infects visitors, who are very welcome to take part and learn a little about local traditions.

• Carnival

During Carnival, Trancoso is a good option for those who prefer to just enjoy the sunny days on the beautiful beaches, relax and unwind, as it doesn’t have a busy schedule of Carnival parties like Rio de Janeiro and Salvador.

But for those who like to relax and not let the holiday go by unnoticed, we have an established party, Miss Drag Queen, organized by the great party girl and owner of the long-gone Para Raio club, Claudia Pizzimenti. Created at the beginning of the 2000s, the party has become itinerant and takes place every year on Carnival Monday, with a very funny and entertaining Drag contest. Find a creative costume and get involved in this lively party! After years at Para Raio, this night of colors and glitter has already been to the Estrela D’Água pousada and Flyclub, both located on Praia dos Nativos.

• Divine Holy Spirit 19/05

The Feast of the Divine Holy Spirit is a religious manifestation of the Catholic Church, considered a cultural and intangible asset of Bahia. Mass, procession and singing are part of the celebration, where the Emperor of the Divine and devotees give thanks for the graces they have received. A delicious buffet is served to devotees and locals by the family responsible for the festival.

• Saint John 24/06

The St. John’s June festival begins in the late afternoon and is celebrated in the Quadrado, with a kermesse, music, a bonfire and a quadrille, as well as the changing of the flagpole, which raises the flag of St. John.

Stalls around the square offer delicious regional food, such as mungunzá, boiled peanuts and the famous Bahian quentão, made with Jenipapo liqueur.

After eating, warm up by the bonfire and let yourself be carried away by the rhythm of forró all night long. This party is very popular with locals and people from all over the region, as well as tourists who visit Trancoso at this time of year and enjoy the most traditional party in the whole of the Northeast.

• St. Peter’s 29/06

The feast of St. Peter is celebrated first thing in the morning by fishermen and their friends on Coqueiros Beach. They are his greatest devotees, as he is considered the patron saint of fishermen. It’s a modest celebration, but one of great love and gratitude to the patron saint. São Pedro also has his flagpole and flag, which are changed and erected every year on Praia dos Pescadores, right at the beginning of Praia dos Coqueiros.