The September 7 holiday has barely passed, and we’ll already have another holiday in São Paulo! On October 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Aparecida (Patroness of Brazil) is celebrated nationwide; her image was found by fishermen in 1717 on the Paraíba do Sul River.
October 12 also marks Children’s Day, a holiday officially established in 1924 by a decree issued by President Artur Bernardes.
This is a great opportunity to relax or explore the attractions that bring the capital and the interior of São Paulo to life. So, let’s take this chance to discover what to do during the October holiday in São Paulo.
Children’s Day at SESC São Caetano
Tickets will be distributed 30 minutes in advance for the workshop at ETA
Throughout the day on October 12, children and their families can participate in engaging activities, such as the “Toys and Plant Life” experience, which explores natural materials for making handmade toys, and the “Animal Books: Brazilian Animals” workshop, focused on creating handmade books using cutouts and collages.
To end the holiday on a high note, the venue will host the show “Que História Mora Aqui?” (“What Story Lives Here?”) by the Flor de Crejoá Group—a memorable performance that blends songs, poems, and games while bringing the books in a charming little traveling house to life.
Visitors can explore everything from reenactments of notable crime scenes to a recreation of an investigative office complete with archives and forensic advancements.
The tour features an audio guide and an interactive virtual reality experience that places visitors at the center of an investigation, while also exploring how these real-life crimes inspired iconic movie villains.
🚫 Rated for ages 16 and up
Note: You must bring your own headphones to listen to the audio guide on your cell phone. The VIP ticket guarantees access to the virtual reality experience; spots for standard tickets are limited on-site.
The immersive exhibition “Tarsila’s Brazil” pays tribute to the 140th anniversary of the birth of one of the greatest artists of Brazilian Modernism in a 1,195 m² space filled with technology and art.
With 14 interactive spaces and 70 works in digital and audiovisual formats, the exhibition features 360° projections, scenic installations, and an original soundtrack by BaianaSystem featuring Tom Zé. Visitors can immerse themselves in rooms dedicated to iconic films such as *Abaporu*, *Operários* , and *Antropofagia*.
In celebration of the month’s special dates, children up to age 6 get in free on weekdays, and teachers pay half price on October 15.
♿ Accessible site (features audio, audio description, videos in Brazilian Sign Language with captions, and text accompanied by images)
CTN Northeastern Festival
Free admission
The lineup features major acts such as Tierry, Zeza dos Teclados, Raquel dos Teclados, and Banda Encantus, as well as cultural performances, workshops, parades, and the Open-Air Tourist Museum.
During the event, visitors can sample traditional dishes such as acarajé, cartola, and rubacão at free tastings, as well as savor classic delicacies at local restaurants, such as baião de dois, buchada de bode, and carne de sol with macaxeira.
Artichoke, Wine & Honey Festival
Free admission
Henrique Restaurante e Eventos will host the Artichoke, Wine & Honey Festival, bringing together more than 40 exhibitors in a 20,000-square-meter venue.
The event offers a rich variety of cuisine, beverages from local wineries, honey-based products, handicrafts, and entertainment in an adjacent wooded area. It’s the ideal outing to bring family and friends together, featuring a kids’ area, a pet-friendly space, and a covered food court.
♿ Accessible location
Brazilian Legends
The production combines contemporary dance, theater, live music , and puppetry to bring to life five iconic figures from our folklore: Mula sem Cabeça, Vitória-Régia, Caipora, Boto Cor-de-Rosa, and Boitatá.
With a script and general direction by Luiz Fernando Bongiovanni, the attraction offers an immersive experience lasting about 50 minutes that draws on popular folklore and addresses important themes such as the environment, diversity, and cooperation in a way that’s very accessible to children.
Have a spookily fun experience at Dopamine Land
This experience lets you explore playful and interactive rooms, filled with installations designed to stimulate the senses and awaken the child within you. Now in “Spooky Mode On,” the special Halloween edition of Dopamine Land is perfect for a day out with family or friends and promises unique moments and colorful photos!
Children’s Day – Play is the best gift
The event features a workshop for creating toys from recycled materials, a sensory play area for babies 6 months and older, a circuit of traditional games such as hopscotch, jump rope, and sack races, as well as a charity toy drive.
The highlight is the musical performance by Grupo CRIA, “Eu e Você, ” which playfully explores the emotional relationships of childhood.
♿ Accessible venue (features LIBRAS, noise-canceling headphones, access ramps, Braille signage, accessible restrooms, and tactile tours)
Korean Festival – Flavors and Lights of Korea – Children’s Day Special
Free admission
The Latin American Memorial is hosting a special edition of the Korean Festival—Flavors and Lights of Korea—offering a complete immersion in South Korean culture with a setting filled with thousands of traditional lanterns.
The event features a market with traditional products, calligraphy workshops, hanbok and -making experiences, and a food court filled with popular delicacies such as tteokbokki, corn dogs, bulgogi, mandu, and ramen.
The festival features a full concert by Guerreiras do K-pop, cover performances by major groups such as BTS and BLACKPINK, as well as Brazil’s largest Random Play Dance .
Visiting Mr. Green
Starring Elias Andreato and Caio Manhente, the play tells the story of the forced encounter between an elderly Orthodox Jewish man and a young executive sentenced to community service after nearly causing a hit-and-run accident.
The weekly gatherings in the victim’s former apartment turn into a touching journey about overcoming prejudice, tolerance, and compassion. The performances feature detailed set design and powerful performances in an intimate setting.
Mafalda’s Circus
The show “Circo da Mafalda” features a unique blend of circus, clowning, and theater, starring artist Andrea Macera.
In the show, the clown Mafalda struggles with memory lapses and turns to the audience for help in hosting the acts and announcing the numbers on old papyrus scrolls. Amid comedic mishaps, magic acts, illusions, music, and juggling, the show sensitively addresses profound themes regarding the presence of women in the circus world.
Supercine: A Circuit of Peripheral Micro-Film Clubs
The Supercine Special Children’s Day Screening offers a unique cultural experience with audiovisual presentations in the Supercine micro-cinema.
The program features acclaimed animations from Anima Mundi, children’s short films, and Brazilian productions focused on stories starring children from inner-city neighborhoods.
In addition, adults can enjoy an exclusive selection of short films from the Fabcine Archive, along with free popcorn to enjoy during the screenings.
♿ Accessible location (features an accessibility ramp for wheelchair users and interpretation in Brazilian Sign Language)
Satyrianas Festival
Now in its 27th edition, with the theme “Playing with the Future,” the Satyrianas Festival celebrates 30 years by hosting a true, nonstop cultural marathon.
Over the course of four days of programming, the event brings together around 400 attractions from 15 Brazilian states, spread across various stages and venues throughout the city, including Espaço Parlapatões. The event invites the public to explore different art forms and expressions such as theater, film, dance, music, circus, performance art, and literature.
Coffee Festival
In celebration of International Coffee Day, Justo Café is hosting a special festival dedicated to providing a true immersion in the world of specialty coffees.
Throughout the month of October, customers are invited to create their own drink by choosing from four exclusive bean profiles (chocolate, caramelized plum, fruity, honey, and chocomelo) and three different brewing methods: Koar, French Press, and Aeropress.
Children’s Day at the São Paulo Zoo, Botanical Garden, and Simba Safari
The Fontes do Ipiranga State Park complex is offering a special promotion throughout the month of October: children get in free at Zoo SP!
At the Botanical Garden, visitors can enjoy a peaceful stroll through the Atlantic Forest and hike the Trilha da Nascente trail to the source of the Pirarungaua stream, which is linked to the history of Brazil’s independence.
The São Paulo Zoo, meanwhile, is home to thousands of animals and features attractions such as Mundo Dino and the Acqua Zoo boat tour, while Simba Safari offers an immersive experience in a specially adapted vehicle for observing species in settings inspired by African safaris.
Visitors can explore everything from reenactments of notable crime scenes to a recreation of an investigative office complete with archives and forensic advancements.
The tour features an audio guide and an interactive virtual reality experience that places visitors at the center of an investigation, while also exploring how these real-life crimes inspired iconic movie villains.
🚫 Rated for ages 16 and up
Note: You must bring your own headphones to listen to the audio guide on your cell phone. The VIP ticket guarantees access to the virtual reality experience; spots for standard tickets are limited on-site.
CN Land
Children under 2 years old get in free
The venue features tech-driven experiences, adventure courses, and multisensory environments inspired by iconic cartoons such as Ben 10, The Powerpuff Girls, Dexter’s Laboratory, Adventure Time, and The Amazing World of Gumball. In addition to the immersive experience, the event includes an exclusive Krispy Kreme pop-up shop with free admission.
On the holiday Monday, visitors can take free photos with Finn and Jake from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., while on the preceding weekend (September 5 and 6), Gumball and the Teen Titans will be interacting with visitors—by prior appointment via the mall’s app.
🚫 Children under 18 may participate when accompanied by a guardian
I’m Tired of Being Beautiful
The new comedy “Cansei de Ser Belo” (I’m Tired of Being Handsome), written by Emílio Boechat and directed by Kleber Montanheiro, comes to Teatro YouTube to satirize the cult of vanity.
Starring Fernando Pavão as Rodrigo Contreiras, the plot follows a soap opera heartthrob in the midst of an existential crisis who decides to sabotage his own image of perfection in order to seek artistic recognition.
Travel aboard time-tested locomotives in São Paulo
Looking for things to do during the holiday in São Paulo? How about embarking on a unique journey aboard traditional trains? This is your chance to travel back in time and explore breathtaking landscapes while immersing yourself in the rich history of the state of São Paulo. Although it may seem like a thing of the past, train rides are still very much a reality—from historic trips on old steam locomotives to adventures surrounded by São Paulo’s natural beauty.
End the night listening to some great jazz at São Paulo’s best venues
In São Paulo, the jazz scene is more alive than ever; after all, there are numerous bars and restaurants featuring special jazz-themed programs . So, if you’re passionate about jazz, you can’t miss out on the many venues that guarantee memorable nights to the sound of this captivating musical style. After all, there’s nothing better than an intimate atmosphere, accompanied by great drinks and lulled by the smooth sounds of the saxophone and trumpet.
