Balão de São João e cores no céu

What is a “balão de São João” in Brazilian Portuguese?

In Brazilian Portuguese, a balão de São João is the paper hot-air balloon linked to the June festivities (festas juninas) honoring São João — traditionally made from bright paper in blues, yellows, oranges, and reds, and a fixture on flags, decorations, and kids' drawings every June. But actually releasing one is illegal: Brazil’s 1998 environmental-crimes law bans it, punishable by up to three years in prison, because falling balloons spark wildfires and threaten aircraft.

The gap between tradition and law keeps the topic alive every June: some cities, including Rio de Janeiro, Niterói, and São Gonçalo, now permit flame-free balloons at official festa junina events instead of banning the shape outright, and Congress keeps debating bills to regulate rather than criminalize the custom. So the balão survives mostly as an image — on banners, in songs, in kids' illustrations like this one — even where lighting a real one can mean up to three years in prison.