The religious holiday transforms the historic city of Minas Gerais with centuries-old processions and the creation of popular art along the stone streets; see how to organize transport, accommodation and participation in events
Between March 29th and April 5th, 2026, the hills in the interior of Minas Gerais once again receive one of the biggest tourist flows of the year. For those looking to experience the holiday in an immersive way, understand what is the tradition of assembling sawdust carpets during Holy Week in Ouro Preto It is the starting point for organizing the itinerary. The rite, which dates back to 1733 with the feast of the Eucharistic Triumph, requires visitors to book accommodation months in advance and be physically prepared to spend the early hours of Hallelujah Saturday working on decorating the streets before the Resurrection Procession takes place.
Logistics planning: transportation, accommodation and weather in the autumn transition
Access to Ouro Preto is mainly from Belo Horizonte, about 100 kilometers away. Tourists from other states must disembark at Confins International Airport (CNF) and continue traveling along the BR-356 highway. The car journey lasts, on average, two hours. For those who opt for public transport, the Pássaro Verde bus operates daily and frequent departures from Belo Horizonte Bus Station.
The city’s hotel network reaches maximum occupancy during the long weekend. Inns in the Historic Center, close to Praça Tiradentes, offer the advantage of doing everything on foot, but they charge higher rates and sell out quickly. Neighborhoods like Bauxita or Pilar are viable alternatives, although they require extra stamina to face the steep gradient during the daily commute.
The holiday falls at the transition from the end of the summer rains to autumn. The weather tends to have hot and sunny days, but temperatures plummet at night, often reaching 15°C in the mountainous region, requiring the use of windproof jackets or coats for those who are spending the night outside.
The dynamics of dawn: materials, route and collaborative work
The making officially begins on the night of Hallelujah Saturday, generally from 8pm, and continues uninterruptedly until the early hours of Easter Sunday morning. The carpet route covers around two kilometers of stone pathways, connecting central parishes, such as the Pilar Basilica and the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição or São Francisco de Assis, depending on the route defined by the organization each year.
The work is completely collaborative. Residents, tourists and volunteers organized by entities such as the Ouro Preto Art Foundation (FAOP) sit on the cobblestones to fill the streets. The visual composition mixes classic Christian symbols, geometric graphics and social themes. Supplies go far beyond sawdust:
- Base materials: sawdust colored with industrial dyes, lime and wheat flour to provide contrast.
- Textural and organic complements:
- Used and sun-dried coffee grounds.
- Dried flowers and crushed leaves.
- Various seeds and eggshells.
- Structural tools: hollow wooden molds designed by local artists to standardize the main contours.
Travelers without prior experience can simply approach a work group and offer help. The city hall and parishes provide bags of sawdust along the route, while the atmosphere is fueled by civil music bands and serenade groups that help keep the energy high to keep sleep away.
Practical schedule for the long holiday
To take advantage of the event structure and the city’s fixed attractions, the distribution of time must balance devotional tourism and the traditional historical circuit.
Day 1: Arrival, setting and Good Friday rites
The ideal is to arrive in the city by Friday morning. After check-in, the focus should be on exploring the Historic Center, passing through the Feira de Pedra-Abão and having lunch at one of the Minas Gerais food restaurants on Rua Direita. At the end of the afternoon, the solemn tone takes over the destination with the Burial Procession, marked by the sound of rattles, faithful carrying torches and figures reenacting the mourning of the ordeal through the dark alleys.
Day 2: Gold Cycle Exploration and Carpet Preparation
Reserve Saturday morning to visit the Inconfidência Museum and the works of Aleijadinho. Another option is to take the short journey to the neighboring city of Mariana or go down into the Mina da Passagem tunnels. Return to your accommodation in the middle of the afternoon to rest. From 8pm onwards, put on clothes that can get dirty and go to the official route to start assembling the devotional rugs alongside the community.
Day 3: Easter Sunday and the visual result of the tradition
Even for those who went to sleep early in the morning, waking up early on Sunday is essential. The Resurrection Procession takes to the streets early in the morning, accompanied by the constant ringing of the bells of all the churches and the passing of the Blessed Sacrament over the finished works. After the festive procession passes, the city hall begins immediate cleaning of the roads. The rest of the day is spent celebrating lunch and organizing the return trip.
Recommendations for mobility, food and local infrastructure
Ouro Preto has a severe topography, with irregular pavements original from past centuries. Wearing high-heeled shoes, open sandals or smooth soles is inappropriate and prone to sprains. Sports shoes with good cushioning and grip are the only ones recommended for walking safely and spending hours standing or kneeling while making sawdust art.
During processions and Saturday night, vehicle traffic in the center is completely blocked by municipal agents. Parking on central streets is unfeasible; therefore, giving preference to inns with a private garage is a decisive factor in terms of convenience. Tourist travel must be done exclusively on foot.
When it comes to eating, schedules need to be reviewed. As the city receives thousands of people simultaneously, the most prestigious restaurants experience waiting lines of over an hour during lunch. Eating meals before noon or ensuring advance reservations avoids physical exhaustion. In relation to public security, the infrastructure of religious events is robust, but the intense crowds in the alleys require the same attention as large capitals with valuable objects and cell phones in their back pockets.
Participating in the event requires rhythm and exact logistics. The excellence of the trip is based on completing the transport and stay planning in advance and adjusting the physical layout to witness the most emblematic and collective dawn of the Minas Gerais calendar.
