Brazil Public Holidays Calendar: School, Pontos Facultativos & B3
Brazil Holiday Calendars
Welcome to the official Brazil scheduling hub. Select an option below to access federal statutory public holidays (Feriados Nacionais), state and municipal observances, optional decrees (Pontos Facultativos), school vacation calendars, and B3 stock exchange trading closures.
Mandatory national public holidays (Feriados Nacionais) legislated by federal law, including Independence Day, Tiradentes, and Republic Day.
Discretionary Pontos Facultativos (such as Carnaval and Corpus Christi), state foundation days, and municipal patron saint festivals.
MEC-compliant 200-day academic schedules, winter recess (July), and Southern Hemisphere summer vacation dates across basic education.
Trading and clearing settlement calendar for B3 (Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão) and Brazilian Central Bank (BACEN) banking closures.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the difference between a "Feriado Nacional" and a "Ponto Facultativo" in Brazil?
A Feriado Nacional is a mandatory statutory paid day off for all public and private employees under Brazilian labor law (CLT). A Ponto Facultativo is an optional administrative day off decreed by the government (such as Carnival Monday and Tuesday); private employers can decide whether to grant paid leave or maintain regular operations.
Q2: Does the B3 Stock Exchange close during Carnaval and Pontos Facultativos?
Yes, B3 (Brasil, Bolsa, Balcão) in São Paulo halts equity, derivative, and fixed-income trading for major optional holidays like Carnival (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday morning) and Corpus Christi, in addition to all official federal holidays.
Q3: How is the academic school year structured in Brazil?
Regulated by the Ministry of Education (MEC), the Brazilian school year runs on a two-semester format requiring at least 200 instructional days. Classes start in early February and conclude in mid-December, with an intermediate winter break throughout July.
Q4: Are employees entitled to substitute days off when a holiday falls on a weekend in Brazil?
Unlike countries that observe automatic "in lieu" Mondays, Brazilian labor legislation does not automatically roll a public holiday to the following weekday when it coincides with a Saturday or Sunday, unless specified by a collective bargaining agreement.