What is the Garanhuns Winter Festival (Festival de Inverno de Garanhuns) in Brazil
- Rachel
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
The Garanhuns Winter Festival (Festival de Inverno de Garanhuns) is one of Brazil's most celebrated cultural events, drawing artists, performers, and audiences from all over the country. The 33rd edition of the Festival de Inverno de Garanhuns (FIG), taking place from July 10 to 27, 2025, will celebrate 35 years of cultural legacy. Known as the largest multicultural festival in Latin America, FIG 2025 will host over 500 free events across more than 20 cultural venues in the city of Garanhuns, Pernambuco.
Held annually in the city of Garanhuns, in the state of Pernambuco, the festival features a lineup of music, dance, theater, visual arts, and literature, all presented across various public venues over 18 days. This beloved festival transforms Garanhuns into a lively cultural space, welcoming around 2 million visitors who come for both the performances and the city’s famously cool winter weather.
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When is the Garanhuns Winter Festival in 2025?
The 2025 Festival de Inverno de Garanhuns (FIG) is scheduled to run from 10 to 27 July.
Where is the festival held?
The festival takes place in Garanhuns, a charming city in the mountainous interior of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil. Garanhus is located 3 hours drive from Maceio, and around 3.5 hours drive from Recife. Known as the "City of Flowers" and for its mild winter climate, Garanhuns becomes an open-air cultural stage, with activities spread across downtown squares, parks, and historical buildings.
Major events are centered around Praça Mestre Dominguinhos, a massive outdoor stage that hosts nightly headline concerts. Additional performances, exhibitions, and workshops take place in locations like the Teatro Luiz Souto Dourado, the Cultural Center, and public schools throughout the city.
Book accommodation in Garanhuns early—hotels fill up fast during the festival
Origin of the Garanhuns Winter Festival
Launched in 1991, the Garanhuns Winter Festival was originally created to encourage cultural tourism during the off-season in Pernambuco’s interior. Over the years, it evolved into one of Brazil’s most important multidisciplinary arts festivals, organised by the Pernambuco State Department of Culture in partnership with local institutions and artists.
Its mission remains rooted in promoting democratic access to culture and elevating diverse voices through free public programming.
The 2025 Festival Program
Download the festival app to see the full schedule and program, or follow the official Instagram account for the festival
The 33rd edition of the FIG will host over 500 free events across more than 20 cultural venues in the city of Garanhuns, Pernambuco.
Confirmed Musical Lineup
Live music is the highlight of FIG, with performances held at Praça Mestre Dominguinhos, the festival’s main stage. This year’s musical program brings together a diverse variety of Brazilian artists and these shows draw large crowds and showcase the diversity of Brazilian music - from samba and forró to rap, reggae, and MPB.
July 10 (Thursday): Priscila Senna, Tayrone
July 11 (Friday): Xamã, Matuê
July 12 (Saturday): Zeca Baleiro, Marcelo D2 & Um Punhado de Bamba, Hungria, Nação Zumbi
July 13 (Sunday): Dilsinho, Sorriso Maroto
July 16 (Wednesday): Aduílio Mendes, Mano Walter, Mari Fernandez
July 17 (Thursday): Bruno & Marrone, César Menotti & Fabiano
July 18 (Friday): Elba Ramalho, Alceu Valença, Geraldo Azevedo
July 19 (Saturday): Beto Guedes, Jorge Vercillo, Oswaldo Montenegro, Ana Carolina
July 20 (Sunday): Art Popular, Jorge Aragão, Mumuzinho
July 23 (Wednesday): Edu & Maraial, Ávine Vinny, Beto Barbosa, Joelma
July 24 (Thursday): Tribo da Periferia, Maneva, Edson Gomes
July 25 (Friday): Kell Smith, Márcia Fellipe, Vanessa da Mata
July 26 (Saturday): Arnaldo Antunes, Detonautas, Toni Garrido & Cidade Negra, Iza
Cultural Programming
FIG is a celebration of all the arts, offering a broad spectrum of cultural events that include:
Literary Programming: Author talks, book readings, and writing workshops.
Visual Arts: Art installations and exhibitions in public spaces and galleries.
Independent Cinema: Screenings of Brazilian films and debates with filmmakers.
Dance and Theater: Indoor and outdoor performances by local and national companies.
Circus Arts: Family-friendly circus shows that blend tradition and innovation.
Children’s Activities: Puppet theater, storytelling sessions, and interactive shows for younger audiences.
Cultural Venues and Locations
The city of Garanhuns transforms into a cultural campus during FIG, with over 20 venues activated for performances, exhibitions, and workshops. Key locations include:
Praça Mestre Dominguinhos: The main stage for nightly concerts.
Luiz Souto Dourado Theater: Hosts dramatic and musical theater.
Centro Cultural Alfredo Leite Cavalcanti: A hub for visual art exhibits and workshops.
Euclides Dourado Park: A vibrant outdoor space for children's activities and open-air performances.
Where to Get Tickets
Most of FIG’s events are completely free and unticketed, especially the open-air concerts and exhibitions. However, for certain indoor venues like theater performances and masterclasses, free tickets are distributed on-site on a first-come, first-served basis, usually one hour before the event.
No online ticket sales are required, but arriving early is highly recommended for the most popular sessions.
The Cultural Impact of the Festival
The Garanhuns Winter Festival has become an important major cultural event in Pernambuco and a model for public arts investment in Brazil. It not only stimulates tourism and the local economy but also fosters creative exchange among artists, educators, and communities.
The festival is celebrated for its inclusive and decentralized approach, bringing high-quality cultural experiences to a broad audience and showcasing talent from historically marginalised regions and backgrounds.
In recent years, it has increasingly embraced digital outreach, sharing recordings, performances, and behind-the-scenes content on social media platforms to reach audiences across Brazil and beyond.
More resources for planning your trip
Find cheap bus, ferry, and private transfer tickets on Bookaway, where you can make reservations ahead of time from abroad. For more information on traveling by bus, read my full guide to taking long-distance busses in Brazil.
Book your accommodation on Booking.com, with thousands of options ranging from luxury hotels to budget-friendly backpacker hostels, there's something for everyone
Don't forget to read my packing check-list for Brazil
Finally, read this post to find out 10 things you should do before you travel to Brazil!
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