Carnaval
Of course, the biggest festival of the year is no doubt “Carnaval,” which usually runs through the middle of February and culminates with Ash Wednesday. One of the biggest Carnivals is in Salvador ; it is actually comprised of multiple activities, including the parades and balls.
The parade of Trio Electricos (large trucks) topped with bands and singers moves slowly through the Osmar circuit around the city center from the Camp Grande to Praca Castro Avles, the square named for the Bahian poet who worked against slavery and oppression. The Dodo circuit runs from Barra to Ondina and also features Trios Electricos. These two major routes, and the various smaller parades in Pelourinho, offer major music groups and opportunities to participate and dance that outdo just about any other Carnival.
The barracas essentially turn the city of Salvador into one giant party, or rather thousands of small parties overlapping with one another, complete with music, food and plenty of partygoers. In recent years, the police have stepped up efforts to cut down on violence and crime, but with tens of thousands of people out and about, and plenty of alcohol flowing, things can become precarious rapidly. Be sure to keep an eye on your surroundings while you’re in the midst of the fun. It can be a great time, but things can get out of hand, so do use caution.
When heading to the more raucous areas, it's best to wear sneakers/trainers and keep your money in your shoes. There are a lot of pickpockets in the crowd and hands go everywhere when you're dancing with the crowds in the streets, so carry nothing in your pockets—or wear clothes without pockets at all. If you need a bit more personal space, stay to the edges, rather than getting into the crush, head to the quieter circuits or buy an abada (T-shirt that allows you to stay within a roped off area behind the Trio Eletrico) or entry to a camarote (closed seating area).
Ensaios
Starting in early November, the ensaios (rehearsals)for the Carnaval bands begin in various music venues around the city. This is a great way to become familiar with the music and enjoy a Carnaval experience without the huge crowds.
Reveillon
New Year’s Eve is like a mini-Carnival, and various festivals attract visitors from near and far. There are fireworks to view from the beach at Porto da Barra and various parties to attend.
The city is also home to numerous other festivals throughout the year. Many are in homage to Catholic saints and their sycretized Orisha counterparts. Basically, this is a city that seldom needs an excuse to have a good time !
*Festa do Senhor Bom Jesus dos Navegantes on the morning after Reveillon, whena Christ statue is carried into the water near the namesake church, accompanied by fishing boats
*Festa da Lapinha, January 3-6, in the Largo da Lapinha, in remembrance of the Three Wise Men of the Nativity
*Farol Folia, in January,.takes place along the oral (coast) from Boca do Rio to Patamares
*Lavagem do Bonfim, on first or second Thursday after the the Epiphany (Dia de Reis, January 6) Therre ia a procession out to the church.
*Festa da Ribeira, on Fat Monday (Segunda-Feira Gorda) following the Lavagem do Bonfim.
*Festa de São Lazaro (Saint Lazarus), January 25-28, in the Federação neighborhood, around the Igreja de São Lazaro
*Lavagem de Itapoan, January 27, in Itapoa. along the orla,
*Lavagem de Santo Amaro, in the town of Santo Amaro, in the Recôncavo (interior of Bahia state around the Baia dos Todos Santos) on the first Sunday before (and the days around) the Festa de Nossa Senhora de Purificação
*Festa de Iemenja, February 2, in Rio Vermelho, with a barge full of flowers in offering to the Orisha of the sea, costumed Bahianas making personal offerings of flowers, music, parades and lots of barracas
*Carnaval (‘nuff said)
*Festa de Arembepe, in the small ex-hippie town to the north of Salvador, during February
*Bembé do Mercado, also in Santo Amaro, mid-May
*Corpus Christi , June 10, celebrated in Pelourinho.
*Festa de Santo Antônio (Saint Anthony), June 13, in the Largo de Santo Antônio
*Festa de São João ( Saint John ), one of the season of Festas Juninhas. June 24th is the official date for the festa, a harvest festival, but the buildup runs all through June. There's lots forró music, along with costumed dancing of quadrilha and Danca Portuges, and traditional foods made with corn. Cachoeira, an old river port town in the Recôncavo about 2 hours from Salvador , has a crowded and fun forró festival that attracts major bands, and a big feira (craft market) featuring lots of pottery.
*Festa de São Pedro (Saint Peter), June 29, ends the June celebrations with more forró
*Dois de Julho (July 2), Bahian Independence Day, with celebrations in Campo Grande
*Festa da Boa Morte, celebrated August 13 -14 in Cachoeria by the Irmandade da Boa Morte (Sisterhood of the Good Death)
*Festa de São Roque, August 16, in São Lázaro in the Federação neighborhood
*Brazilian Independence Day, September 7
* Festa de São Cosme e São Damião, September 27, for the twin saints, with the traditional dish of carurú, a vegetable stew made from quiabo (okra)
*Dia da Baiana (Day of the Baiana), November 25th
*Dia do Samba, December 2, created to honor the birthday of composer Ary Barroso
*Festa de Santa Bárbara (Iansã, wife of Xangô, goddess of the winds), December 4. There is a mass to honor her at the church *Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos in Pelourinho and then a procession through Pelourinho to the Baixo dos Sapateiros
*Festa de Santa Luzia, December 13, on Rua do Pilar in the Comércio