Brazilians in LA are getting ready to celebrate Sete de Setembro, or September 7 — the holiday marking the country’s 1822 independence from Portugal. Los Angeles doesn’t have an official “Little Brazil,” but the Brazilian Mall in Culver City is a definite contender for the title.
Green and yellow flags are already flying in the inner patio, and themed merchandise is piled high at Supermercado Brazil — including displays of traditional sweets such as Sonho de Valsa, the family-sized wafer cookie Brazil has made since 1938, and coconut or chocolate beijinho — Brazilian Portuguese for “little kisses”.
According to Soul Brasil Magazine, there are 70,000 residents of Brazilian ancestry living in Los Angeles County. A report by the Brazilian Foreign Affairs office lumps the Los Angeles and San Francisco regions as accounting for 10% of the Brazilian U.S. diaspora.
Patricia Leão, founder and CEO of Brazilian Nites, has been instrumental in bringing Brazilian culture to LA since 1989, producing and presenting concerts and tours for major Latin American stars including Caetano Veloso, Marisa Monte and Roberto Carlos. Leão also ran the Brazilian Summer Festival at the Ford for 21 years, through 2014, as a co-presentation with the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. Brazilian Nites now runs a year-round slate of concerts and events, including the Annual Los Angeles Brazilian Carnaval, now in its 23rd year.
Leão agreed to meet The LA Local at the supermercado to talk through the kitchen essentials for Sete de Setembro and to tell us more about Brazilian culture LA-style.
“The Carnaval is a huge occasion, with nonstop dancing, live music and big crowds — bringing community, culture, rhythm and joy,” Leão said. “But Sete de Setembro is much more of a friends and family event, where we cook a lot of traditional food for the churrasco, and gather together.”
Here’s a guide based on Leão’s tips for planning your own Sete de Setembro celebration.
What to stock up on
“Okay, these are a must-have,” Leão said, pointing at the molho de pimenta. She said people stock up on packets of the hot sauce for Sete de Setembro. The essentials:
- Molho de pimenta — fierce red pepper condiment, a table staple.
- Farofa — toasted cassava flour, made from a starchy root vegetable native to South America. It adds crunch to feijoada, a black bean and pork stew.
- Pão de queijo — cheese bread. Many people make these from scratch with polvilho azedo (fermented tapioca) flour, Leão said, but the frozen versions are good, too, as she pointed to the ready-made bags in the freezer case.
The churrasco spread
Sete de Setembro is always built around a churrasco, or barbecue, said Adriana Saraiva, manager of Supermercado Brazil. “It’s always a huge party for family and friends,” she said. On the grill:
- Picanha — beef, served with a special sauce.
- Pão de alho — garlic bread.
- Queijo coalho — cheese on skewers, grilled on top.
Sweet endings
Dessert tables lean just as heavy, Saraiva said.
- Pudim de maracujá — passion fruit flan, made with leite condensado (condensed milk).
- Pavê — stacked milk-soaked cookies layered in vanilla custard.
From the pantry aisle, it was time for refreshments: a couple of cans of Guaraná Antarctica from Esquina Brazil (esquina means “corner”), the traditional sweet soda with a surprising slow-burn jolt of caffeine.
Now if you don’t want to make your own September 7 celebration, there are places all over LA hosting.
Where to celebrate in Los Angeles County
Brazilian Family Day 2026
When: Sept. 5, 4 p.m.
Where: PIBBLA — First Brazilian Baptist Church, 850 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles.
A family-friendly afternoon celebrating community culture with live music, classic Brazilian food, small business vendors, giveaways and activities. More details on Facebook Events.
Latin Sounds Concert
When: Sept. 5, 5 p.m.
Where: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.
A free outdoor concert exploring the musical sounds of Latin America and Brazil, featuring live music from Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loco. Public details are available directly from LACMA.
Brazilian Independence Day – Baile Funk
When: Sept. 5, 8 p.m.
Where: The Venice West, 1717 Lincoln Blvd., Venice.
An indoor music event dedicated to high-energy Brazilian Baile Funk. You can get tickets via AXS.
Brazilian Day Pool Party & Rooftop Party
When: Sept. 7, 1 p.m.
Where: LEVEL 8, 1254 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles.
An outdoor rooftop pool celebration featuring Baile Funk, tech house, house and Afro house mixes, alongside traditional Brazilian food and drinks. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
Labor Day Samba — Samba Society Reunion
When: Sept. 7, 3 p.m.
Where: Trópico de Nopal Gallery Art-Space, 1665 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles.
A traditional, intimate roda de samba featuring the award-winning Samba Society as it reunites after a hiatus for a special holiday performance. You pay at the door for this one. More info here.
BCCC Summer MIX & Independence Celebration
When: Sept. 10, 6 p.m.
Where: Fogo de Chão, 133 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills.
Organized by the Brazil California Chamber of Commerce, this professional networking event includes happy hour finger foods, wine, beer and caipirinhas. More info on the BCCC Instagram page.
