It’s Party Time! (Again…)

Partiers, don’t panic. Ok, so the debauchery of Carnival is just a distant, hazy memory, and New Year is still just a teeny glittering speck on the horizon.
The end of the summer party season and the onset of cooler weather doesn’t mean that those party-loving cariocas hang up their dancing shoes – far from it.

In Rio, the arrival of the winter months is marked by Festas Juninas (June festivals), which take their influence from the June festivals of Northeastern Brazil.
The name is a bit of a misnomer – the festas actually kick off at the end of May, and run right through July, sometimes even into early August.

Less raucous than Rio Carnival, but still a great deal of fun, the Festas Juninas take the form of giant open air street parties, complete with dance (principally forro, a traditional dance from the Northeast), drinking, live music, and tasty Northeastern food.
The events tend to take place at weekends, and are held in every corner of the city – from the beaches of the Zona Sul to the hillside hideaways of Santa Teresa.

This weekend, the parties start with a bang. At Quinta da Boa Vista (an open air venue in Rio’s North Zone), big names such as Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Zeca Pagodinha and Vanessa da Matta will be heading up a large-scale free festival on Saturday (May 29).
Doors open at 2pm, and it’s worth getting their early as turnout is expected to be immense.

Quinta da Boa Vista is easily reached by Metro, just jump off at Metro Sao Cristovao and follow the signs.

Like all good Festas Juninas, this is very much a family event, with games and theater to keep younger revellers entertained. For the grownups, the quentao – a delicious hot drink made with rum, cinammon and cloves, is the best way to keep warm once night falls and temperatures drop.