4. Iemanja

The Buzz -- Each year on February 2, locals celebrate lemanja or the Festival of the Goddess of the Sea. It's an unusual event where participants head to area beaches and present offerings to the goddess of the sea, hoping to receive her favor for the balance of the year. Offerings include any number of items, with the most popular being flowers, watermelon and candles. The offerings usually begin in late afternoon and last well into the night, about 3am. Participating in and observing participants has become an increasingly popular trend within the city.