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Campinas Festivals & Events by Month (2026)
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Best Day Trips from Campinas (2026)
Campinas sits in a prime spot for exploring São Paulo state, with mountains, historic towns, and waterfalls all within a two-hour drive. You can easily wake up early, see a new pl… 🌄 Why Day Trips
Campinas sits in a prime spot for exploring São Paulo state, with mountains, historic towns, and waterfalls all within a two-hour drive. You can easily wake up early, see a new place, and be back for dinner. This guide covers the best options for 2026, with practical details on transport and costs.
🚌 Getting Around
Renting a car gives you the most flexibility, especially for reaching trailheads and rural attractions. Alternatively, frequent buses from Campinas's Rodoviária (bus terminal) connect to most destinations, with fares between R$ 30 and R$ 60 one-way. For guided tours, several local agencies offer day packages, but booking ahead is wise during holidays.
🏞️ Serra Negra
About 90 minutes away by car, Serra Negra is a charming mountain town known for its German-Swiss heritage and thermal waters. Stroll the Rua do Lazer on weekends, when it becomes a pedestrian street with craft fairs and food stalls. The Circuito das Águas cable car offers panoramic views for R$ 25, and the town is especially lovely in autumn when the weather is mild.
⛲ Águas de Lindóia
This spa town, roughly 100 kilometers from Campinas, is famous for its mineral springs and lush green hills. Visit the Balneário Municipal to bathe in the therapeutic waters, or hike to the Cristo Redentor viewpoint for a sweeping vista. Buses run from Campinas to Lindóia, but a car makes it easier to explore the surrounding waterfalls.
🏰 Holambra
Just 40 minutes east, Holambra is Brazil's flower capital, settled by Dutch immigrants. The town's windmills and colorful flower fields make it a photographer's dream, and the annual Expoflora in September is a must-see. Even outside the festival, you can visit the Flowerland park and buy fresh blooms at the cooperative's garden center.
⛰️ Monte Sião
Known for its knitwear outlets, Monte Sião sits in the mountains about an hour and a half from Campinas. The town is a shopping haven, with dozens of stores selling sweaters, blankets, and crafts at factory prices. After bargain hunting, enjoy a coffee at a local café or take a short drive to the nearby Cristo observation point.
🌊 Waterfall Circuit
For nature lovers, the region around Socorro and Serra Negra offers several waterfall trails within a 2-hour radius. The Cachoeira do Salto in Socorro drops 50 meters and has a natural pool for swimming. Many trails are on private properties that charge a small entrance fee, usually R$ 10 to R$ 20, so bring cash and wear sturdy shoes.
📅 Best Time to Go
The dry season from April to September offers clear skies and comfortable temperatures, ideal for hiking and outdoor sightseeing. Avoid the rainy months of December to February, when trails can be muddy and waterfalls too strong for swimming. For flower lovers, plan Holambra in September for the Expoflora, and for shopping, any weekend works in Monte Sião.
honestly the guide nailed it but i'd add Jundiaí to the mix, it's barely an hour by car and Serra do Japi is the real hidden gem. the trails are steep but you get that mata atlântica feel without the tourist crowds, and the view from the top over the valley is unreal on a clear day. there's a pousada near the trailhead that does a killer cafezinho com bolo de fubá if you need a break before heading back.
for the bus option, the rodoviária in Jundiaí is right next to the Serra do Japi entrance, so you don't even need a car. just check the horário, the last bus back to Campinas is around 8pm, which gives you a solid afternoon. also, if you're into photography, go on a weekday morning when the fog rolls through the trees, it's moody as hell.
one thing the guide missed: campinas itself has some decent day trip spots that don't make the usual lists. the pedreira do chapadão is a old quarry turned climbing spot, and there's a short hike up to a lookout over the city. it's not the mountains but it's a nice escape if you only have half a day and don't want to deal with traffic.
fwiw the waterfall tip is spot on, but if you're already heading to Socorro, tack on a stop at Munhoz. It's like 20 minutes past Socorro and way less crowded, the Cachoeira das Andorinhas there is a hidden gem, small but you can swim right under the fall and the water is freezing, honestly perfect for a hot day. The road gets a bit rough after rain though, so check the forecast first.
also for Holambra, everyone goes to Expoflora but the real move is the morning market at the cooperativa on a Saturday. You get the same flowers for like half the price of the tourist stalls, and the pastel de queijo at the little lanchonete next door is better than anything you'll find during the festival. just sayin.
and yeah, skip the car if you're solo, the bus to Serra Negra is fine, but the last one back to Campinas leaves around 6pm. I've missed it once and ended up splitting a taxi with a stranger, which was actually fun but not ideal. check the horário at the rodoviária before you go.
Solid list, I've done most of these. One thing I'd add: skip Monte Sião on a Sunday morning if you can, half the stores open late and the ones that are open get packed with tour buses from São Paulo. Go on a weekday if your schedule allows, the prices are the same and you can actually browse the knitwear without elbowing someone.
Also for the waterfall circuit, don't sleep on Pedreira. It's closer than Socorro, like 40 minutes from Campinas, and the Pedra Grande trail has a nice lookout over the valley. The town itself is quiet but there's a decent feira de artesanato on weekends. Bring cash for the entrance fees, most of those rural spots don't take cards.
And honestly, if you're renting a car, the drive to Águas de Lindóia via the estrada da Mogiana is way prettier than the main highway. Takes a bit longer but you pass through little coffee towns and the hills are gorgeous in the dry season.
Campinas Festivals & Events by Month (2026)
Carnival usually falls in February 2026, with the main parade on Avenida Francisco Glicério in the city center. The event features samba schools, blocos, and street parties… 🎭 Carnival in February
Carnival usually falls in February 2026, with the main parade on Avenida Francisco Glicério in the city center. The event features samba schools, blocos, and street parties, and it's the city's biggest cultural celebration. Tourists are welcome, but expect large crowds and book accommodation early. Dress comfortably and bring water, as the heat can be intense.
🎶 March Music Festival
In March, the Campinas Music Festival takes place at the Centro de Convivência Cultural, located at Praça Imprensa Fluminense, s/n, in the Cambuí neighborhood. The festival showcases local and national artists across various genres, with tickets usually ranging from R$30 to R$80. Check the official website for the exact dates and lineup. It's a great way to experience Brazilian music in an intimate setting.
🍴 April Food Festival
April brings the Campinas Food Festival, where local restaurants offer special menus and discounts. The event is spread across the city, with many participating eateries in the Cambuí and Taquaral areas. It's a fantastic opportunity to try regional dishes like feijoada and pastel. No booking is typically required, but popular spots fill up quickly on weekends.
🌽 June Festa Junina
June is synonymous with Festa Junina, and Campinas hosts several celebrations, the largest at the Parque Portugal (Lagoa do Taquaral). Expect quadrilha dancing, bonfires, and traditional foods like pamonha and canjica. The event usually runs on weekends throughout the month, with entry fees around R$10 to R$20. Dress in typical caipira attire if you want to join the fun, and arrive early to avoid crowds.
🎬 August Film Festival
The Campinas Film Festival takes place in August at the Cineflix cinema in Shopping Iguatemi, located at Av. Iguatemi, 777. It features independent Brazilian films and often includes Q&A sessions with directors. Tickets are usually priced at R$20 per session, and a festival pass is available. It's a quieter event, perfect for cinephiles looking to escape the summer heat.
📚 September Book Biennial
September hosts the Campinas Book Biennial at the Expo Dom Pedro, located at Av. Guilherme Campos, 500. The event brings together publishers, authors, and book lovers for readings, signings, and workshops. Entry is often free or costs a nominal fee like R$5. It's a family-friendly event, so expect crowds on weekends and plan to spend a few hours exploring.
🎨 October Art Fair
In October, the Campinas Art Fair takes over the Praça da Imprensa in Cambuí, showcasing works by local artists and artisans. The fair runs from Thursday to Sunday, typically from 10 AM to 8 PM. You can find paintings, sculptures, and handicrafts at various price points. It's a relaxed event, ideal for picking up unique souvenirs and chatting with artists.
🎄 December Holiday Events
December is filled with holiday cheer, starting with the Christmas lighting ceremony at Largo do Rosário in the city center. Throughout the month, there are choir performances, a Christmas market at Parque Taquaral, and special events at Shopping Parque Dom Pedro. Most activities are free and open to the public. Expect festive decorations and larger crowds, especially on weekends and evenings.
good effort on this. one thing missing: the christmas market at parque taquaral gets mobbed after 7 so go around 5 when it opens. also check the CPFL museum in december, they do free choir nights that are way calmer
Solid rundown, but for Festa Junina I'd skip Lagoa do Taquaral and hit the smaller church quermesses in Barão Geraldo instead, way less packed.
august film fest moved to cine topazio in 2025
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