Cavalhadas of Jaraguá
At the close of the Festa do Divino Espírito Santo (Feast of the Holy Spirit), horsemen dressed in blue and in red re-enact on the field the battle between Christians and Moors. It is Jaraguá's best-known tradition.
Next edition
The date of the 2027 Cavalhadas has not yet been officially announced. The event follows the religious calendar of the Festa do Divino, so it changes from year to year (it usually falls between May and June). As soon as the City Hall and the Parish publish the program, it will appear here.
What the Cavalhadas are
The Cavalhadas came to Brazil with the Portuguese and have their roots in the equestrian tournaments of the Iberian Peninsula. In Goiás, the re-enactment is usually associated with the tales of Charlemagne and the Twelve Peers of France. Two groups of horsemen represent the Christians (in blue) and the Moors (in red): over two afternoons they alternate feats of horsemanship, embassies, the symbolic battle and the finale with the conversion of the Moors. More than a historical reconstruction, it is a religious and community ritual handed down from generation to generation, with music and the participation of the whole town.
In Jaraguá, the Cavalhadas are part of the Festa do Divino Espírito Santo, organized with the Nossa Senhora da Penha Parish, and are held at the Clube das Cavalhadas, Avenida Juscelino Kubitschek (Av. JK), 529, Vila Goiás Rural.
The 2026 edition
The 2026 edition was presented by the City Hall and the Government of Goiás as the 193rd. The main Cavalhadas performances, on the field of the Clube das Cavalhadas, took place on the afternoons of May 24 and 25, on Pentecost weekend. The overall program of the Festa do Divino, with religious celebrations and concerts on Praça JK, ran over a longer period; each year's details are in the official program released by the City Hall. The City Hall expected about 30,000 visitors over the festival days (an estimate, not a measured attendance).
In 2026 the Government of Goiás announced R$ 5 million (Brazilian reais) for the Circuito das Cavalhadas, which brings together 16 municipalities in Goiás, Jaraguá among them.
Heritage
The Cavalhadas of Goiás, including those of Jaraguá, are the subject of an application for registration as cultural heritage of Brazil, filed with Iphan (the national heritage institute) in 2019. According to the institute's most recent news, the process was still under review, with no registration completed.
Tips for visitors
- Accommodation: demand is high on festival days. Book early; see hotels and guesthouses.
- Time: the re-enactments usually take place in the afternoon. Arrive early to get a seat in the stands.
- Program: always check the year's official program, released by the City Hall of Jaraguá.
See also the festival calendar, the culture of Jaraguá and how to get there.
Sources: City Hall of Jaraguá and Government of Goiás (announcements of the 2026 edition, May and June 2026); Iphan (registration process for the Cavalhadas of Goiás). Consulted in September 2026.
Updated on September 24, 2026