Brazilian Independence Day has long belonged to Manhattan's Little Brazil, so a Queens edition is new ground - and Astoria, with its own growing Brazilian community, gets five hours of samba, dance instruction and regional cooking on a closed-off avenue. Vendors come with food from across the country, and the performers are local acts rather than an imported bill. Catch a free street festival before the rest of the city finds it.
What to expect
A closed avenue lined with food and craft stalls, with a stage or sound setup running live samba and dance sets through the afternoon. Expect the crowd to build after the opening hour, informal dance lessons that pull passers-by in, and the smell of grilled meat and pao de queijo down the block. It is a walk-through street fair, not a seated event.
Good to know
- N or W to Broadway, or the M/R to Steinway Street, then walk to 31st Avenue
- Bring cash - small street-fair vendors do not all take cards
- Come in the first couple of hours if you want to browse the stalls without a crush
- The street is closed to traffic and flat, so it is stroller- and wheelchair-navigable
- Public restrooms are limited; plan around nearby cafes on Broadway
- Dance lessons are open to anyone walking by, so no partner or experience needed
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Common questions
Is there an admission charge?
No. Brasil Fest is free to enter. You pay only for food and goods from the vendors.
Where exactly is it?
On 31st Avenue in Astoria, Queens, between 33rd and 35th Streets. The avenue is closed to traffic for the festival.
Has this happened in Queens before?
No. This is the first year the Brazilian Independence Day festival is being held in Queens.
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