Carnival São Paulo Brazil (São Paulo )
5-6 February 2005 (Every year)The São Paulo carnival may not have Rio's reputation and popularity, but its cheaper tickets and less touristy atmosphere make it a fantastic alternative. The city's samba schools perform all night in the Sambadrome, competing for the much-coveted samba award.

Rio Carnival Brazil (Rio de Janeiro)
4-8 February 2005 (Every year)Pretty much everyone in the world has heard of the Rio Carnival - it's the benchmark against which every other carnival is compared. From the moment the Mayor hands over the keys to the city to a Dionysian character called "King Momo", the streets of Rio have a spirit and energy which has everyone enraptured for four days of infectious rhythmic shuffling, colour, smiles and unbeatable revelry.

Bahia Carnival Brazil (Salvador)
3-8 February 2005 (Every year)Salvador, the capital of the state of Bahia, hosts one of the biggest and best carnivals in the world.

Rio's Carnival Balls Brazil (Rio de Janeiro)
5-8 February 2005 (Every year)The most famous carnival city on Earth holds a variety of balls during carnival every year, catering to all income levels and sexual orientations. If you can't afford the expensive tickets for the Sambodrome (where the top samba schools parade) at carnival time, you can always check out one of these unmissable parties. Tickets for most events can be bought on the night; only a select few (the pricier, star-studded ones) sell out in advance.

Parati Carnival Brazil (Parati)
5-8 February 2005 (Every year)If you're looking for an alternative to the massive Rio de Janeiro Carnival, head down the coast to the old colonial town of Parati. It may not be quite as spectacular as Rio, but it still has plenty of excitement, as well as being more traditional, less crowded and set in a utopian environment.

Pernambuco Carnival Brazil (Pernambuco)
5-9 February 2005 (Various dates)Recife, Olinda and other cities in the state of Pernambuco are transformed at carnival time with a rich mix of Brazilian dances, from the belly-bumping bate-coxa to the umbrella-wielding frevo, the regal maracatú and the extremely agile caboclinho.

ASP South America Surfing Contest: Fernando de Noronha, Brasil Brazil (Fernando de Noronha Island)
11-14 February 2005 tbc (Every year)This South American ASP event takes place in the idyllic setting of Fernando de Noronha, a two million year old volcanic island off Brazil. The prize money is set at US$75,000, so expect to see some of the world's top surfers in attendance.

Festa do Divino Espírito Santo Brazil (Parati)
21-30 May 2005 tbc (Every year)Each year the people of Parati celebrate the ten-day Festa do Divino Espírito Santo festival by crowning an Emperor, distributing food amongst the poor and giving sweets to children, along with processions, masses, dancing and music.

Rio de Janeiro Pride Brazil (Rio de Janeiro)
27 June 2005 tbc (Every year)Where better to celebrate gay and lesbian pride than Rio de Janeiro, where grown men aren't scared to wear dresses.

Bumba Meu-Boi Brazil (São Luis )
1-30 June 2005 tbc (Every year)Once a year São Luis, the state capital of Maranhão, stages a festival dedicated to the established Brazilian folk tradition of Bumba Meu-Boi, a popular folk tale reenacted through Brazilian dance.

Brazilian Moto GP Brazil (Rio de Janeiro)
4 July 2005 tbc (Every year)The Road Racing World Championship comes to the Nelson Piquet Circuit in Rio for the Brazilian Motorcycle Grand Prix. As if the excitement of a Grand Prix wasn't enough, the motorsport-mad Brazilian crowd ensures a carnival atmosphere around the circuit.

Anima Mundi Animation Festival (Rio de Janeiro) Brazil (Rio de Janeiro)
9-18 July 2005 tbc (Every year)The Anima Mundi festival, with events at venues around Rio de Janeiro, is one of Latin America's biggest animation events, with a wide-ranging programme of screenings, workshops and exhibitions, as well as regular appearances from luminaries of the animation world.

Anima Mundi Animation Festival (Sao Paulo) Brazil (São Paulo )
21-25 July 2005 tbc (Every year)The Anima Mundi festival is one of Latin America's biggest animation events, with a wide-ranging programme of screenings, workshops and exhibitions, as well as regular appearances from luminaries of the animation world. This is the Sao Paulo strand of the event, coming from Rio earlier in the month.

São Paulo International Short Film Festival Brazil (São Paulo )
22-31 August 2005 tbc (Every year)The São Paulo International Short Film Festival is one of the leading international short format film festivals in Latin America, a showcase for short films of all genres and a forum in which to share new ideas and techniques. Films are screened at cinemas throughout the city.

Festa de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Brazil (Parati)
8 September 2005 tbc (Every year)The Festa de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios has been celebrated in the old colonial town of Parati for 300 years. On 8 September, an effigy of the village's patron Saint is carried around the historic district. More than 1.70m high, the 19th-century cedarwood effigy is decorated with gold and silver earrings, chains and a crown - so valuable that it is usually under armed guard at the Parati Museum of Sacred Art.

International Fishing Festival Brazil (Cáceres)
18-26 September 2005 tbc (Every year)The city of Cáceres, in the state of Mato Grosso, hosts the International Fishing Festival (FIP). What started out as a local festival in 1980 has now become the biggest river fishing festival in the world.

Festival do Rio BR Brazil (Rio de Janeiro)
23 September - 7 October 2005 tbc (Every year)One of the most important audiovisual events in Latin America, the Festival do Rio BR attracts professionals from all over the world, particularly Latin America, the United States and Europe, who come to check out the numerous screenings, showcases and seminars at the Copacabana Palace Hotel and cinemas across the city.

Nossa Senhora Aparecida Brazil (Various towns)
12 October 2005 tbc (Every year)This festival in Aparecido do Norte celebrates the patron saint of Afro-Brazilians, Nossa Senhora Aparecida, and it is a public holiday all over Brazil.

Círio De Nazaré Brazil (Belém )
8-15 October 2005 tbc (Every year)In mid-October, Belém, the main port leading out of the Amazon, stages the largest annual festival of this immense river, attracting people from all over Brazil. The main procession takes place on the second Sunday in October.

Formula One: Brazilian Grand Prix Brazil (Sao Paulo)
24 October 2005 tbc (Every year)The famous Interlagos Circuit hosts the final race of the Formula One season, the Brazilian Grand Prix.