Easter is an important celebration in Christianity that commemorates the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The date of this celebration changes every year, and its criteria for definition were established by the Catholic Church in the 4th century A.D. Religious authorities determined that Easter would be celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs after the spring equinox (in the Northern Hemisphere). Thus, the celebration period is between March 22 and April 25. This year, Easter is celebrated on March 31. Easter Traditions in Brazil
In Brazil, the most popular tradition is that of the Catholic Church. Thus, during Holy Week, the celebration is marked by masses, various reenactments of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, known as the Passion of Christ.
The tradition of giving chocolate eggs has become quite popular and is one of the great symbols of modern Easter. This practice is associated with another significant established symbol of this celebration: the Easter Bunny, as a representation of fertility, due to its high reproductive capacity.
Additionally, Brazilians love to gather with family and friends for a special Sunday lunch. Typical dishes include Portuguese-style cod and salmon. Best Places to Celebrate Easter in Brazil
Gramado (Rio Grande do Sul) – You can’t talk about Easter without mentioning chocolate, right? And when it comes to chocolate, no Brazilian city surpasses Gramado in Rio Grande do Sul. The region is known for hosting several chocolate factories, which offer guided tours and experiences with the most different types of chocolate you can imagine. Moreover, the city is incredibly beautiful.
Pomerode (Santa Catarina) – Did you know that Pomerode is considered the most German city in Brazil? The place is home to various natural beauties. Like Gramado, Pomerode is very popular during this time due to the annual Easter festival, whose main attraction is the Osterbaum, a tree made with approximately 80,000 natural eggshells, referencing the emergence of the Easter egg tradition, which began with decorated chicken eggs.
Penedo (Rio de Janeiro) – The “Brazilian Finland.” We are talking about Penedo. The city hosts the main Finnish colony in the country, as well as several chocolate factories and shops that attract locals and tourists throughout the year, especially during Easter and Christmas.
Unlike Gramado, however, the temperature in Penedo does not usually drop much, which is great for those who want to enjoy the beautiful waterfalls that make up the city’s natural scenery.
For souvenir fans, the place also has an open-air shopping area where most of the candy stores and chocolate factories are located. Therefore, the area is one of the most visited by tourists, just like the main avenue of the city, Avenida das Mangueiras, which hosts several must-visit restaurants.