- During the January school holidays, Greater Recife provides numerous entertainment options for children, ranging from theme parks to theater plays.
- Shopping Recife features the 'Hello Kitty and Friends' space and the 'Novo Quintal' sensory experience until February 1st.
- Plaza Shopping hosts the 'Jardim dos Infláveis' for children aged 4 to 12.
- The 'Beco Mágico' project offers special activities on January 15th.
Quick Summary
Greater Recife is offering a wide array of activities for children during the January school holidays. Families can choose from various options including theme parks, theater plays, and creative workshops located throughout the region. The events are scheduled at prominent venues such as Shopping Recife, Plaza Shopping, and the Instituto Ricardo Brennand, ensuring diverse entertainment for different age groups.
Highlights include the 'Hello Kitty and Friends' space at Shopping Recife, the 'Jardim dos Infláveis' at Plaza Shopping, and the 'Janeiro de Grandes Espetáculos' theater festival. Several locations, such as Shopping Patteo and RioMar Shopping, are offering free events, while others require tickets. The programming runs through the end of January and into early February, providing ample opportunity for families to plan their outings.
Shopping Center Entertainment
Several shopping centers in the region have prepared special programming for the school break. Shopping Recife, located in the South Zone, features the 'Hello Kitty and Friends' space available until February 1st. This thematic circuit offers activities for children aged 2 to 13, including a slide, ball pit, and trampoline. Additionally, the 'Novo Quintal' at the Gourmet Park promotes sensory, artistic, and musical experiences to stimulate creativity and interaction. The mall also offers the 'Stich Park' located in the Dream Store store, monitored play areas at You Play, and a Slime Workshop.
In the North Zone, Plaza Shopping presents the 'Jardim dos Infláveis' (Inflatable Garden) as its main attraction. Promoted in partnership with Estação da Diversão, this project is aimed at children aged 4 to 12 and features various inflatable toys. It is open from Saturdays to Saturdays from 15:00 to 22:00, and on Sundays from 15:00 to 21:00, until January 31st. Tickets start at R$ 30.
Shopping RioMar offers a 'Férias' (Vacation) season with free shows and two theme parks, one of which is inspired by the series 'Miraculous - As aventuras de Ladybug'. The parks include a ball pit, trampoline, puzzle, and Instagrammable spaces. Free shows are scheduled for January 10th, 11th, and 18th at 16:00. Tickets for the theme parks start at R$ 60 for 40 minutes of stay.
Located in Olinda, Shopping Patteo has a special schedule for Saturdays from January 10th to 31st, starting at 15:00. Children can enjoy a park on the mall's veranda, divided into islands and thematic stations with games, workshops, and interactive activities. Each Saturday features a different main attraction, such as the Vinni Circus, Mr. Marionettes, a magic show, and a Giant Bubble Show. This programming is free.
Special Projects and Workshops
Beyond the shopping centers, specific projects and cultural institutions are offering unique experiences. The Beco Mágico project, in partnership with A Caixa Eventos and Sítio Dourado, promotes two hours of activities for children on January 15th. The schedule includes recreation, thematic activities, and a gastronomic experience. Participants are divided into two age groups: 5 to 7 years and 8 to 10 years. The event takes place from 17:00 to 19:00 for the first group and 19:00 to 21:00 for the second. Tickets cost R$ 120 and are sold online.
The Instituto Ricardo Brennand, in the West Zone of Recife, prepared a series of workshops for children aged 3 to 12 aimed at promoting art, learning, and fun. These workshops are available until February 1st with the following schedule:
- Tuesdays (14:30 to 16:00): Clay Modeling Workshop
- Wednesdays (14:30 to 16:00): Self-Portraits Workshop
- Thursdays (14:30 to 16:00): Cardboard Sculpture Workshop
- Fridays (14:30 to 16:00): Assembly Workshop
- Saturdays (14:30 to 16:00): Collage and Drawing Workshop
Tickets for the workshops are priced at R$ 40 and can be purchased at the museum reception.
Theater and Cultural Events
The 32nd edition of the Janeiro de Grandes Espetáculos (JGE) is running from January 7th to February 4th. The festival features over 100 presentations, including premieres and adaptations of classics specifically for the children's audience. Tickets for these events are available for purchase online.
Below is a list of scheduled children's plays and their respective venues:
- 'Tatu do bem' (Catalumari e os Giguiotes): January 8th at 16:30 at Teatro Apolo. Tickets: R$ 30 (half-price/social) and R$ 60 (full).
- 'Jeremias e as caraminholas' (Teatro do Amanhã): January 10th at 16:30 at Teatro Barreto Júnior. Tickets: R$ 20 (half-price) and R$ 40 (full).
- 'Histórias pontilhadas': January 11th at 16:30 at Caixa Cultural. Tickets: R$ 15 (half-price/social) and R$ 30 (full).
- 'A princesa dos mares' (Helena Siqueira Produções): January 11th at 16:30 at Teatro Santa Isabel. Tickets: R$ 50 (half-price) and R$ 100 (full).
- 'O segredo da Arca de Trancoso' (Cênicas Cia de Repertório): January 11th at 17:00 at Teatro do Parque. Tickets: R$ 40 (half-price) and R$ 80 (full).
- 'A cigarra e a formiga' (Roberto Costa Produções): January 18th at 16:00 at Teatro do Parque. Tickets: R$ 50 (half-price), R$ 70 (social), and R$ 100 (full).
- 'Cantigas de fiar' (Companhia Fiandeiros de Teatro): January 24th and 25th at 16:00 at Teatro André Filho - Espaço Fiandeiros. Tickets: R$ 20 (half-price/social) and R$ 40 (full).
- 'Tudo começou assim' (Onze Produções Artísticas): January 25th at 16:30 at Teatro Apolo. Tickets: R$ 30 (half-price/social) and R$ 60 (full).
- 'Os protetores do oceano' (Espaço Cultural Vovozito): January 27th at 17:00 at Teatro Capiba. Tickets: R$ 30 (half-price/social) and R$ 60 (full).
- 'Sonho de uma noite de verão' (Colmeia de Artes): February 1st at 16:30 at Teatro Apolo. Tickets: R$ 30 (half-price/social) and R$ 60 (full).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main activities for children in Recife during January holidays?
Main activities include theme parks at shopping centers like Shopping Recife and RioMar, the 'Jardim dos Infláveis' at Plaza Shopping, workshops at Instituto Ricardo Brennand, and the 'Janeiro de Grandes Espetáculos' theater festival.
Are there free events available for families?
Yes, Shopping Patteo offers a free park program on Saturdays, and RioMar Shopping provides free shows. Some workshops and theater plays also have lower-cost ticket options.
Until when are these holiday activities available?
Most activities run until the end of January, with some extending until February 1st or 4th, depending on the specific event or venue.




