festivities range from weeklong celebrations and parades, firework displays and religious masses, and always have the prominent display of the white dove.

rio de janeiro city is home to many celebrations, but statewide the biggest festivals occur in angra dos reis and paraty, just west of rio.

the celebration in paraty is one of the most important in brazil- declared a brazilian cultural heritage in early 2013, the festival entails 11 days of masses, litanies, games, food, drink, music and dancing to commemorate pentecost.

festivities are equal part religious, masses and processions, and secular with typical portuguese music and dancing.