in the middle of the brazilian winter, never really cold by any standards, the festas juninas provide a much anticipated celebratory outlet.

directly derived from the summer solstice traditions, june 13th, 24th, and 29th are the rio's bonfire festival or festas juninas, and are celebrated with country weddings representations and bonfires around squares, churches, and beaches - the three dates are respectively for saint john, saint anthony, and saint peter. 

june 24th - saint john's day (dia de são joão) is a religious holiday celebrating the birth of saint john the baptist.