Special Events in Sao Paulo

São Paulo carnival
February
São Paulo Sambadrome
The São Paulo carnival may not have Rio's reputation and popularity, but its cheaper tickets and less touristic atmosphere make it a fantastic alternative. The city's samba schools perform all night in the Sambadrome, competing for the much-coveted samba award.
The festival takes place over a weekend, and in the fortnight leading up to the event further music and dancing takes place in the Sambadrome for free.

São Silvestre marathon
31 Dec
The São Silvestre "marathon" is one of Latin America's biggest road races and takes place in the streets of São Paulo. The first time the event was held, in 1925, the competitors ran 8000 metres around the paulistana streets. Since then the distance raced has varied, and it is now fixed at 15km. Today competitors pass down the avenida Paulista to the rua da Consolaçã towards the centre of the city, passing avenida Ipiranga, avenida São João before going up Costa e Silva, Largo Padre Péricles, rua Margarida, avenida Pacaembu, rua Norma Gianotti, avenida Rudge, avenida Rio Branco, Largo do Paissandu, avenida São João, rua Conselheiro Crispiniano, Viaduto do Chá, rua Líbero Badaró, Largo São Francisco, avenida Brigadeiro Luiz Antônio and back to avenida Paulista.

Reveillon
31 Dec
São Paulo celebrates the incoming year along Avenida Paulista with a traditional party featuring renowned musicians and local celebrities.

Christmas Lights
1 Dec - 6 Jan
São Paulo lights up for Christmas with decorations, lanterns and illuminations throughout the city centre, plus an opening night with orchestral music and fireworks.

São Paulo Anniversary
25 Jan
Founded in 1554 by Jesuit missionaries, the city of São Paulo celebrates its anniversary with musical performances and special cakes every year. The most famous cakes are in Bixiga neighborhood: in 1985 Armando Puglisi made one measuring 1800 metres in length, which made it into the Guinness Book of Records. Now residents continue with the cake-making tradition for the special day, so there's a metre for every year since the city's foundation. That's a lot of cake, and anyone who goes down to Bixiga is given some for free.

Chinese New Year Celebrations
February
Praça da Liberdade, São Paulo
Celebrate Chinese New Year in the Praça da Liberdade in São Paulo with dragons, martial arts demonstrations, dancing, acrobatics, Chinese music and plenty of food.

Spirit of London
15 Mar
Parque Anhembi, São Paulo
Brazilian and international DJs host the massive Spirit of London electronica club night at Sao Paulo's Parque Anhembi.

Holy Week in São Paulo
Mar
Church of Nossa Senhora da Consolação, São Paulo
Holy Week in São Paulo focuses on masses and processions around the Catholic churches, most of them taking place between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.