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Knowing the American holidays is a fundamental part of the cultural adaptation for any immigrant in the United States. More than just days off, holidays reflect core values of American society, such as patriotism, gratitude, and respect for veterans. For Brazilians, who are used to a completely different festive calendar, understanding these dates helps with daily planning, organizing family routines, and, most importantly, integrating into the local community.
The United States has 11 official federal holidays, recognized by the government and observed by public agencies, banks, and post offices. In addition to these, there are cultural celebrations like Halloween which, although not official holidays, engage the entire country. Each date carries specific traditions, from patriotic barbecues on the Fourth of July to the famous roast turkey on Thanksgiving.
This guide presents the main American holidays and celebrations, with details about traditions, customs, and differences compared to the Brazilian calendar.
Independence Day
The Fourth of July is the most patriotic holiday in the United States, celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. American flags decorate streets, homes, and cars across the country. Celebrations include outdoor barbecues, local parades with marching bands and floats, and large fireworks displays at dusk. It is common for families and friends to gather in parks, beaches, and backyards to celebrate.
For Brazilians, Independence Day can be compared to September 7th, but with a notable difference: popular participation is much more intense and widespread. Virtually every community, no matter how small, organizes some type of celebration. Cities like Washington D.C., New York, and Boston hold large-scale events that attract millions of visitors.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November and is considered the most important family holiday in the United States, even surpassing Christmas for many Americans. It is a time of gratitude and gathering, when families travel from all over the country to be together. Traffic in the days leading up to Thanksgiving is among the heaviest of the year.
The central tradition is the Thanksgiving dinner, with roast turkey as the main dish, accompanied by mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, bread stuffing, and the classic pumpkin pie for dessert. The following Friday is Black Friday, the biggest shopping event of the year, with significant discounts in both physical stores and online.
Halloween
Although not a federal holiday, Halloween (October 31st) is one of the most popular and visible cultural celebrations in the United States. Weeks before the date, homes and yards are decorated with horror themes: carved pumpkins (jack-o’-lanterns), ghosts, skeletons, and artificial spider webs. Entire neighborhoods participate in the tradition, and many families take the decorations seriously.
The best-known tradition is trick-or-treat, when costumed children go door to door asking for candy. For Brazilian families with children, participating in Halloween is an excellent opportunity to integrate into the neighborhood and for children to have fun. Adults also celebrate with costume parties, and many companies and schools organize themed events during the week.
Labor Day and Memorial Day
Labor Day (first Monday in September) honors American workers and marks the unofficial end of summer. Unlike Brazil, where Labor Day is celebrated on May 1st, the US reserves this tribute for September. Many families take advantage of the long weekend for short trips, barbecues, and outdoor activities. Culturally, Labor Day also marks the time when the informal fashion tradition dictates that summer whites should no longer be worn.
Memorial Day (last Monday in May) is a solemn holiday in memory of military personnel who died in active service. Ceremonies at national cemeteries, parades, and moments of silence characterize the date. At the same time, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and many Americans use the long weekend to kick off the barbecue and outdoor activity season.
Christmas in the United States
Christmas (December 25th) is a federal holiday and one of the most anticipated celebrations of the year. Traditions include decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, and family dinners. An important difference compared to Brazil is that the main celebration takes place on the 25th, not on Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve (December 24th) is not a federal holiday, although many companies let employees leave early.
The American holiday season begins right after Thanksgiving and transforms entire cities with lights, decorations, and themed events. Giant Christmas trees in public squares, ice skating rinks, and Christmas markets are common attractions in many cities. For Brazilian families, adapting to Christmas without the Christmas Eve dinner and in the middle of winter is part of the cultural experience of living in the United States.
Other Important Dates
The American calendar includes other relevant federal holidays for those living in the country. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January) honors the civil rights leader and promotes reflection on equality and social justice. Veterans Day (November 11th) celebrates all veterans who served in the armed forces, unlike Memorial Day which specifically honors those who died in combat.
Presidents’ Day (third Monday in February) honors American presidents, and New Year’s Day (January 1st) marks the beginning of the year with celebrations that include the famous countdown in Times Square in New York. As for Carnival, it is not a national celebration in the US, but there is Mardi Gras in New Orleans, with its own traditions that differ significantly from Brazilian Carnival. Many American holidays are celebrated on specific Mondays of the month, creating long three-day weekends, a practice institutionalized by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act to facilitate travel and leisure.
Victoria Harper
Editor-in-Chief
Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.
