New Year's Eve in Lençóis Maranhenses: Duna Festival 2027

By Klauber Figueiredo

There is a New Year's Eve in Brazil where the stage is a sand dune. From December 27 to January 1, the fishing village of Arpoador, in Tutóia, Maranhão, hosts Duna Festival: six days of celebration for no more than 300 guests, set between the dunes of the Pequenos Lençóis and the waters of the Parnaíba Delta.

If you are looking for a New Year's trip built on raw nature, good music and very few people, this guide covers where Arpoador is, what Duna Festival is, how to get there, when to go and where to stay.

Where is Arpoador, the gateway to the Pequenos Lençóis

Arpoador is a fishing village on the coast of Tutóia, in the Brazilian state of Maranhão. It sits on a rare point of the map: to the east lies the Parnaíba Delta, the only open sea delta in the Americas, with more than 70 islands. To the west begin the Lençóis Maranhenses, whose National Park area was declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2024. The region is part of the Rota das Emoções, the route that links the coastlines of Ceará, Piauí and Maranhão.

In front of the village stretch the Pequenos Lençóis Maranhenses, a field of dunes, rain fed lagoons and coconut palms protected since 1991 by an environmental protection area of around 270,000 hectares. It is a sister landscape to the National Park, with one difference: here the dunes live side by side with lush vegetation, palm groves and a coastline cut by rivers and mangroves, where scarlet ibises cross the sky at the end of the day.

What is Duna Festival, Arpoador's New Year gathering

Duna Festival is a New Year gathering designed to match the scale of the village: around 300 guests, six days, and a program that follows the rhythm of nature. Days begin in silence, with yoga, meditation, breathwork and sound healing. Nights rise with house, organic house and afro house under a sky free of light pollution. The festival's base is Villa Cocar, in the heart of the village, and the turn of the year happens on the sand: a New Year's dinner followed by the midnight celebration on the dune.

The program also moves across the territory. One of the parties takes place on an island in the Parnaíba Delta, reached by boat, and outings include the scarlet ibis evening flight and the lagoons of the Pequenos Lençóis. December is still part of Maranhão's wind season, so optional kitesurfing lessons are on the menu.

The festival happens with the village, not just in it. At the last edition, an open air cinema brought guests and residents together, and for many locals it was the first film screening of their lives. The production's commitment fits in one sentence: leave no trace. Tickets for the December 27, 2026 to January 1, 2027 edition are already on sale.

How to get to Arpoador and Duna Festival

The closest airport is Parnaíba (PHB), 134 km from the village, with LATAM flights via Fortaleza and, from November 2026, Azul flights from Belo Horizonte Confins on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The alternative is São Luís (SLZ), 343 km away, connected to all major Brazilian hubs, which in turn connect to international gateways such as São Paulo and Fortaleza.

The final stretch to Arpoador includes 13 km of beach driving in a 4x4. It is part of the experience: the arrival itself delivers dunes, ocean and village in a single frame. The Arpoador Collection Concierge organizes the full transfer, with 4x4 vehicles driven by qualified local drivers and helicopter charter for those who want a shortcut.

When to go and what to do beyond New Year's Eve

The wind season runs from July to January, with easterly trade winds between 18 and 30 knots, which makes the Tutóia coastline one of the most complete kitesurfing destinations in northeastern Brazil: delta, lagoons, river, ocean and downwinders such as the Arpoador to Atins run. The lagoons of the Lençóis reach their highest levels between June and September, right after the rainy season.

In December and January the scenery changes and remains just as striking: dry weather, clear skies, the tail of the wind season and the dunes at their sharpest. That is the New Year's frame. Through the rest of the year, the outings continue: boat crossings of the Parnaíba Delta, the scarlet ibis flight at sunset, 4x4 trips to the lagoons of the Pequenos Lençóis and Praia do Amor, one of the most unspoiled beaches in the region.

Where to stay in Arpoador

The village infrastructure is intentionally small, and that is exactly what protects the experience. Arpoador Collection is the official partner of Duna Festival and manages houses and apartments in the village, with lodging, property management and a dedicated concierge throughout the event. For a New Year's Eve with 300 guests and few beds within walking distance of the party, booking early makes a real difference.

Ready to see the year turn on a dune? Speak to our concierge at www.arpoadorcollection.com.

Frequently asked questions

Is Lençóis Maranhenses worth visiting in December?

Yes, as long as you know what to expect. The lagoons are lower than in mid year, but December offers clear skies, end of season wind, dunes in their rawest state and the New Year calendar. For travelers who want landscape and celebration in the same trip, it is the best month of the year.

How long is Duna Festival?

Six days, from December 27 to January 1, with daytime and nighttime programming: wellness practices in the morning, outings across the territory in the afternoon and music into the night.

How do you get to Duna Festival?

Fly to Parnaíba (134 km) or São Luís (343 km), then travel overland to Arpoador, with a final 4x4 stretch along the beach. The Arpoador Collection concierge organizes the full journey from the airport.

Where should you stay for Duna Festival?

In the village of Arpoador itself, within walking distance of Villa Cocar and the midnight dune. Arpoador Collection houses and apartments are the festival's official lodging and tend to sell out before the tickets do.

Do you need to kitesurf to enjoy it?

No. Kitesurfing is an optional chapter of the program. The festival was designed for people seeking nature, music and connection, with or without a board.

Arpoador Collection. Lodging, properties and experiences in Arpoador, Maranhão, Brazil.

www.arpoadorcollection.com