João Pessoa Carnaval: Brazil's Authentic Street Festival
João Pessoa's Carnaval is one of Brazil's most authentic — the folia de rua street blocos maintain the original Carnaval spirit without the commercialisation of Rio or Salvador, and attendance is free
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Folia de Rua Street Blocos
João Pessoa's carnival takes place almost exclusively in the streets — neighborhood blocks with live bands playing frevo, axé and forró march through the city without the commercial infrastructure of larger carnivals
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Frevo music and dance
Frevo – the northeastern carnival music with its dizzying brass band speed and acrobatic umbrella dancing – is performed in the streets of João Pessoa during the carnival; the umbrella dance (sombrinha) is an acquired athletic skill
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Espaço Cultural José Lins do Rego
The cultural center named after Paraíba's greatest writer—whose sugar plantation-era novels are canonical Northeast literature—hosts events, exhibits, and performances year-round
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Mamulengo Puppetry Tradition
The mamulengo puppet theater of the Northeast — fancy, political and funny — is a carnival tradition in João Pessoa; the puppet theater that comments on local politicians and social issues is played in the streets
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Paraíba Regional Music
The music of Paraíba – coco de roda circle dance, embolada (tongue-twisting songs) and traditional forró – is performed at the carnival and at cultural events throughout the year in a living tradition
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Post-Carnaval Micareta
The off-season carnaval (micareta) held in João Pessoa in the weeks following the main carnival — with raucous music sounding trucks and the continuation of the festival energy — is a northeastern invention now common throughout Brazil