What's on in Natal, Brazil through the year

Peak crowds — Brazilian summer season, Reveillon on Ponta Negra

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: Trade-wind season (1 Aug – 15 Jan (usually)), Brazilian summer season (15 Dec – 28 Feb), Reveillon on Ponta Negra (25 Dec – 1 Jan (usually))

Peak crowds — Carnaval week, Brazilian summer season

• Festival

  Carnaval week

  14–18 FebCarnivalCrowdedBook earlyClosures

  Carnaval is Brazil's biggest holiday: banks, offices and many shops close from Monday to midday on Ash Wednesday, and Brazilians travel in huge numbers, so flights, buses and rooms sell out and cost the most of the year. Book well ahead. Source ↗

Still on: Brazilian summer season (15 Dec – 28 Feb)

Quiet — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

• Holiday

  Semana Santa long weekend

  3–5 AprEaster & Holy WeekCrowdedBook early

  Good Friday is a national holiday and the Easter weekend is one of the year's busiest for domestic travel: roads and bus stations jam, beach towns and country retreats fill with Brazilian families, and prices rise. Many shops close on Good Friday. Source ↗

Still on: Carnaval week (14–18 Feb)

Busy — Semana Santa long weekend

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Semana Santa long weekend (3–5 Apr)

Quiet — one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in May.

Busy — São João de Natal, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Festival

  São João de Natal

  5–28 JunMajor festivalCrowded

  June is forró month across the Northeast, and the city runs free weekend shows at Arena das Dunas and in the north zone, with quadrilha dance contests and corn dishes. Many locals head inland for the bigger country festivities around 24 June. Source ↗

Peak crowds — July school holidays, July winter break in Brazil

• Season

  July school holidays

  1–31 JulCrowded

  Brazilian families use the winter school break to head for the Northeast coast, and Natal is one of the most booked cities for it. Ponta Negra hotels, buggy tours to Genipabu and the dune trips fill up and prices climb for the month.

Busy — one of its best months for weather

• Season

  Trade-wind season

  1 Aug – 15 Jan · usually

  The alisios blow hard and steadily along this coast from August, which is why the kite schools north and south of the city fill from September. Beach umbrellas and restaurant tables lose out.

Busy — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Trade-wind season (1 Aug – 15 Jan (usually))

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Trade-wind season (1 Aug – 15 Jan (usually))

Busy — one of its best months for weather

• Festival

  Carnatal

  4–6 DecCarnivalCrowdedBook early

  The city's out-of-season carnival runs three nights around the Arena das Dunas in early December, trios electricos towing blocos behind them. Hotels charge New Year rates for it. Source ↗

Still on: Trade-wind season (1 Aug – 15 Jan (usually))

Peak crowds — Carnatal, Brazilian summer season

• Season

  Brazilian summer season

  15 Dec – 28 FebSchool holidaysCrowded

  School is out across the country and the northeast beaches are where it goes. Buggy runs to the dunes book out a day ahead in January and the seafront restaurants keep a queue.

• Season

  Reveillon on Ponta Negra

  25 Dec – 1 Jan · usuallyChristmas & New YearCrowdedBook early

  The city's New Year happens on the Ponta Negra seafront, stage and fireworks on the sand and a crowd in six figures. Getting a taxi off the beach afterwards takes hours.

Still on: Trade-wind season (1 Aug – 15 Jan (usually)), Carnatal (4–6 Dec)