Brazilian holidays...we have a big list!!! It is normal if nobody answers the phone during Carnaval!!!

Brazil has a long list of Holidays. And if a Holiday comes to a Tuesday or Thursday, probably there will not be work on Monday or Friday. This is very common!

And Carnaval is a huge deal in Brazil! At least four days of incredible events everywhere: Samba in Rio and Sao Paulo, Axe Music in Bahia, Frevo in Pernambuco and much more!

Brazilians say that "the year begins after Carnaval". That's because events begin in the end of the year with Christmas and New Year's Eve and this "party spirit" will calm down only after Carnaval.

If you try to call an office, a company, an industry during Carnaval, and nobody answers the phone, that is completely normal...it is Carnaval!!!

Brazilian Holidays 2012

January 1, Confraternização Universal (national holiday);
February 20, Carnaval (optional);
February 21, Carnaval (optional);
February 22, quarta-feira de Cinzas (optional until 2 pm);
April 6, Paixão de Cristo (optional);
April 21, Tiradentes (national holiday);
May 1, Dia Mundial do Trabalho (national holiday);
June 7, Corpus Christi (optional);
September 7, Independência do Brasil (national holiday);
October 12, Nossa Senhora Aparecida (national holiday);
October 28, Dia do Servidor Público - art. 236 da Lei nº 8.112, de 11 de dezembro de 1990;
November 2, Finados (national holiday);
November 15, Proclamação da República (national holiday);
December 24 de dezembro, véspera do Natal (optional);
December 25, Natal (national holiday); e
December 31, véspera de Ano Novo (optional).

Source: http://www.mp.gov.br/noticia.asp?p=not&cod=7960&cat=26&sec=11