São Paulo is famous for its diversity, mixture and plurality. In this huge metropolis, more than 70 nationalities live together. That is where our 52 types of cuisine come from and makes São Paulo the gastronomic center in Latin America. Not to mention several ‘tribes’, groups that get together around same ideas and costumes. So man communities get mixed and celebrate together their traditions. This “cultural pot” is the starting point for several popular feasts spread all over the city every month.

Italian people are responsible for some of them, especially those devoted to patron saints of their region – in Brás, Bixiga and Mooca. In Bras, Our Lady of Casaluce Feast, a Neapolitan tradition, brings a crowd to Caetano Pinto Street. Also in Bras, São Vito feast is held in June. Additionally to food, several live Italian music performances are held at Centro Social.

In August, a multitude crowds 13 de Maio Street, in Bixiga, to eat pasta, fogazza, and has fun at Our Lady of Achiropita Feast.  A similar celebration is held in Mooca every September and October: San Gennaro Feast. Pizza and Italian songs are together again.

Asian people have their special place too. Japanese people brought one of their most poetic celebrations to São Paulo, Tanabata Matsuri. Every June, streets in Liberdade are full of colored paper and bamboo to celebrate the Feast of Stars, as it is also known. If you wish to take a small piece of color paper, write a wish on it and hang it on a tree branch. In the end of the day, when bamboos are burnt during a ceremonial, tradition says that smoke will take human wishes to gods.

Juggler performances and giant dragon fights are some of the attractions during the Chinese New Year celebration in Liberdade;  where you will find plenty of typical dishes stands, related articles and a happy crowd.

Jewish people celebrate Yon Kippur in Bom Retiro. Irish people and their descendents organize Saint Patrick’s day at pubs (in Pinheiros and Brooklin). Abril em Portugal (April in Portugal) feast is held in Casa de Portugal or Centro Trasmontano, where you can eat fish and drink wine while listening to some ‘fado’ and ‘vira’.

The German community  celebrates Colonia Fest, in Colonia Paulista district in Southern region, in June, in order to rescue German culture and costumes, such as food, typical dances and exhibitions. In October, it is time to Brooklin Fest, with typical German food and beer,  in almost 200 stands for handicraft and food in Brooklin. Dishes like sausage, einsbein (pickled pork hock), kassler (smoked and salt cut of pork with baked potato) and sauerkraut (cabbage with smoke bacon), and strudel for dessert.

English schools have introduced Halloween parties in São Paulo.

Of course, you will find Brazilian celebrations, mixing Northeastern, black and African cultures. Popular ‘Bumba-meu-boi’ is a tradition in the Northern state of Maranhão; in São Paulo, it is held three times a year (the first on Saturday before Easter) in Morro do Querosene (close to USP). Umbandistas celebrate Orisha Ogum (Saint George) at Ibirapuera arena. At Centro de Tradições Nordestinas (CTN), in Bairro do Limão, several Northeastern feasts are organized. In June, Nossa Senhora do Rosário (Our Lady of Rosary) Church organizes Festa do Rosário (Rosary Feast) in Largo do Paissandu.

Christians in general love feasts for their devoted saints, especially Saint John, Saint Anthony and Saint Peter (in Portuguese, São João, Santo Antônio and São Pedro). That is where ‘festa junina’ (June feasts) and quermesse (a fair) come from and are still strong in the city, mainly in old parishes and clubs.

Folia de Santos Reis in honor to the Three Wise Kings is also an old tradition. After Christmas, in Freguesia do Ó, rhymers and improvisators sing along walking on the streets collecting money. Also in this district, Festa do Divino (Divine Spirit Feast) happens almost 50 days after Easter.