Religious calendar of Jaraguá
Patron-saint festivals, pilgrimages and folias fill Jaraguá's calendar all year. The list below gathers the traditional dates of the town and its villages; movable dates change each year.
Month by month
| When | Celebration | Where |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day (traditional holiday) | Town |
| January 6 | Folia de Reis (Epiphany) | Several places in the municipality |
| January 20 | São Sebastião (Saint Sebastian) | Nossa Senhora da Penha parish |
| March 19 | São José (Saint Joseph) | São José parish |
| May and June | Festa do Divino Espírito Santo, with the Cavalhadas | Nossa Senhora da Penha parish |
| May and June | Sacred Heart of Jesus and Saint Barbara | Vila Santa Bárbara |
| June | São Sebastião and Nossa Senhora Aparecida | Cruzeirinho |
| July | Nossa Senhora D'Abadia | Alvelândia |
| July to August | Divino Pai Eterno (pilgrimage; the Monte Castelo pilgrimage is on the 1st Sunday of August) | Monte Castelo shrine |
| September 8 | Nossa Senhora da Penha, the town's patron saint | Nossa Senhora da Penha parish |
| October 12 | Triduum of São Sebastião and Nossa Senhora Aparecida | Vila Santa Bárbara |
| October 16 | Santa Edwiges (Saint Hedwig) | Santa Edwiges parish |
| November 2 | All Souls' Day | Town |
| December 31 | New Year's Eve | Town |
Dates and programs are set by the parishes and may change. Confirm with the Nossa Senhora da Penha parish and the city government before traveling.
Highlights
Festa do Divino and Cavalhadas
It takes place 49 days after Easter Sunday (Pentecost), so its date changes every year; in 2026 the Cavalhadas were on the afternoons of May 24 and 25. It is Jaraguá's main religious and cultural festival. See Cavalhadas of Jaraguá.
Nossa Senhora da Penha
The town's patron saint is Nossa Senhora da Penha; the first chapel dedicated to her and to São José dates from 1748. The Matriz was demolished in 1918 and rebuilt in 1950. See the historic center.
Monte Castelo pilgrimage
On the first Sunday of August, the faithful walk to the village of Monte Castelo, home of the Divino Pai Eterno shrine. See neighborhoods and villages.
Folia de Reis
In early January, groups of singers visit homes and sing in praise of the Three Kings, a tradition that survives in rural areas and older neighborhoods.
How to visit a religious festival
- Respect the celebrations: dress modestly and ask permission before photographing.
- Book lodging early for the Festa do Divino. See hotels.
- In the villages, confirm access and times with the community or the parish.
Civic and popular festivals, such as Carnival and the Festa do Peão, are in the festival calendar.
Keep exploring
Sources: Wikipedia (Portuguese), entry "Jaraguá (Goiás)" (calendar of traditional dates and religious festivals); Jaraguá city government (2026 Cavalhadas); the portal's festival and culture pages. Consulted in October 2026. Dates subject to change by the parishes.
Updated on October 19, 2026