The biggest Easter party in Latin America attracts thousands of visitors to the European Valley of Santa Catarina; see how to organize logistics, updated prices and attractions for 2026
The 18th edition of Osterfest, in Pomerode (SC), transforms the most German city in Brazil into the country’s main Easter tourist destination between February 12th and April 5th, 2026. Driven by the traditions of German immigrants, the festival is expected to receive around 200,000 visitors at the Pomerode Cultural Center. The event is anchored by two records certified by Guinness World Records that dominate international attention: the giant tree decorated with natural cones (Osterbaum) and the coveted exact space where the largest Easter egg in the world is located.
Travel logistics: how to get there, weather and ticketing
The main air gateway for those traveling to Pomerode is Navegantes International Airport (NVT), located approximately 80 kilometers away. For the land route, the main access is via the BR-470 highway, from the coast of Santa Catarina. As the region transitions from summer to autumn between February and April, the weather tends to have hot days and milder nights, requiring light clothing for walking and a coat at the end of the day.
The Osterfest complex is open from Thursday to Sunday, from 10am to 8pm. In the 2026 season, the organization opened extra dates to operate during Carnival and the municipal holidays of March 9th (Joinville’s birthday) and March 23rd (Florianópolis’ birthday).
- Entrance value: Tickets cost R$12 per person.
- Half-price: R$6 for groups covered by legislation such as students, elderly people and teachers.
- Exemption: Children under three years of age have free access.
Buying tickets in advance through official channels on the internet avoids bottlenecks at the entrance, although the park has expanded the physical ticket office area in this edition to ease the flow of people at peak times.
Central attractions of the Pomerode Cultural Center
The event brings together more than 30 entertainment options for all ages, but the weight of the festivity lies in its monumental installations and continuous cultural recovery.
- The biggest decorated egg in the world: At more than 16 meters tall, the sculpture is named the largest of its kind by the Guinness Book. In 2026, the art that prints the surface is by children’s book writer and illustrator Guilherme Karsten. The painting has bright colors, such as yellow and orange, and refers to the traditional game of egg hunting, showing rabbits hiding in a garden with foliage and mushrooms.
- Osterbaum (The Easter Tree): The colossal structure of dry branches was assembled with 105,000 hand-painted natural eggshells. The colors of the cones follow the same palette as the giant egg art, creating visual harmony in the park.
- Shows and music: The program includes non-stop live music, from 10am to 8pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, starting at 3pm, there are folk dance performances and Stüppen, the traditional Easter serenade. On Saturdays, at 6pm, the Municipal Theater hosts the new musical “Gratitude” free of charge, focusing on a playful narrative and special effects.
- Interactive workshops: The park offers spaces for painting cones, face painting and making traditional cookies. A structural novelty in 2026 is the air conditioning in the room of the cone workshops, Craft and Sweets Fairs, Casa das Bolachas and the Municipal Theater, drastically increasing thermal comfort.
Practical itinerary to enjoy the European Valley
The ideal is to dedicate an entire weekend to combining the themed event with the city’s permanent tourist and cultural infrastructure.
Journey 1
Focus your energy on Osterfest. Arrive at the Pomerode Cultural Center promptly at 10am to photograph the giant egg and Osterbaum without the rush hour crowds. Sign your children up early for the painting workshops and Casa das Bolachas to guarantee the best times. At 3pm, position yourself close to the main stage to watch the folk dance groups and immerse yourself in the Germanic roots of the party. If your visit is on Saturday, end the day at the Municipal Theater at 6pm with the musical show.
Journey 2
Explore beyond the party walls. In the morning, walk along the Half-timbered Route, a calm rural route that is home to the largest concentration of original houses in this architectural style outside of Germany. In the afternoon, the city’s logistics allow for a practical fit to visit Zoo Pomerode, which holds the title of oldest zoo in the South of Brazil, or experience the gastronomic route through the city’s highly awarded chocolate factories.
Food structure and security at the party
Gastronomy is one of Pomerode’s greatest attractions and reflects the tradition of immigration. Inside Osterfest, the food area was reinforced with a second tent in 2026, designed to accommodate more tables and optimize the flow of quick meals and snacks. The public has options available such as the classic German colonial café, with an abundance of local sausages, homemade breads, cheeses, cucas and strudel.
Security in the city is a benchmark in Santa Catarina, allowing families to walk around the event surroundings without apprehension. Those who choose to rent a car will find several marked and accredited parking spaces around the Cultural Center, facilitating quick disembarkation and access for the elderly or small children.
Osterfest requires operational planning. Hotel occupancy in the European Valley quickly reaches maximum capacity on weekends and holidays. Booking accommodation in advance and issuing tickets in advance are vital actions to guarantee a structured and immersive tour of the most authentic German celebration of Brazilian Easter.
