Serra Gaúcha transforms streets and squares with the traditional ChocoPáscoa; see how to plan your trip, Easter Parade schedules and free tour options
The 10th edition of ChocoPáscoa in Gramado (RS) takes place between March 12th and April 12th, 2026, transforming the national capital of artisanal chocolate into a playful celebration setting. With more than 700,000 visitors expected, the event precedes the official holiday (April 5) and extends the celebrations for an entire month. The destination offers a wide variety of free activities focused on families and Christian religious programming, reducing the burden on the budget of a trip that tends to have high prices in high season.
Arrival planning, accommodation and weather in the mountains
The main gateway to Gramado is Salgado Filho International Airport, in Porto Alegre, located around 100 kilometers away (two hours by car or bus). Another viable alternative is the Hugo Cantergiani Regional Airport, in Caxias do Sul, 70 kilometers away. The route from the capital of Rio Grande do Sul can be done via BR-116 and RS-235 (via the Romantic Route), a well-paved road, but susceptible to slow traffic on long holidays.
Between March and April, Gramado experiences the transition to autumn. The climate has cool mornings and nights, with average temperatures varying between 13°C and 22°C. Morning fog is common and, occasionally, cold fronts can drop temperatures below 10°C, requiring travelers to include medium coats, knitwear and closed-toe shoes in their suitcase, as well as light midday clothing.
As it is one of the biggest tourism peaks in the city — movement comparable to that of Natal Luz —, hotels and inns must be booked months in advance. Vacation properties and hotels on central roads, such as Avenida Borges de Medeiros and Avenida das Hortênsias, sell out quickly.
Free and dynamic programming of themed parades
The official calendar concentrates the main scenic activities in the historic center. Access to the decorated streets and most of the interactive exhibitions does not require purchasing tickets.
- Easter Parade: It is the most popular street parade. Held on weekends (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays), always at 3pm. A troupe of artists, acrobats and characters such as the Pascoalino Rabbit parades along Avenida Borges de Medeiros. The procession is free and interactive, distributing chocolates and paralyzing traffic on the main road for around an hour.
- Easter Village: Located in Praça das Etnias, the village is open daily from 9am to 9pm (or 10pm, depending on the daily schedule). The space brings together stands of local artisans, a food court with typical food and the Casa do Coelho Pascoalino, which usually opens for photographs in the late afternoon, generally from 4pm to 6:30pm. Smaller theatrical performances take place on the village stage.
- Covered Street and Kids Space: The walkway that connects Borges de Medeiros to Rua Garibaldi receives immersive aerial decoration and hosts daily children’s entertainment. The place hosts face painting workshops, toys and pastry chef demonstrations.
- Gramado Aleluia (Religious Programming): The spiritual aspect of the festival includes the Procession of Palms and the Procession of Steps. The latter, staged at night (usually at 8pm), lights up Avenida Borges de Medeiros with torches and candles to recount the last hours of Jesus Christ until the Igreja Matriz São Pedro.
Practical itinerary for three days in the city
Optimizing your time is essential to avoid missing scheduled presentations and to be able to visit the region’s famous factories without hassles.
Day 1: Central setting and themed village
Start the itinerary by walking along Avenida Borges de Medeiros to observe the urban decoration — lampposts, roundabouts and shop windows feature chocolate sculptures and giant rabbits. Visit Igreja Matriz São Pedro and head to Praça das Etnias to explore Vila de Easter before the place gets crowded in the mid-afternoon. Have lunch at the center and, from 4pm, take the children to interact with the Pascoalino Rabbit. End the day by walking along Rua Coberta and having dinner at one of the complex’s restaurants.
Day 2: Easter parade and chocolate immersion
Reserve the morning to visit the artisanal chocolate factories. Local brands offer tours of their production lines (some free, others with an entry fee invested in products), mostly located on Avenida das Hortênsias. Return to the center in the early afternoon to secure a good spot on the sidewalks of Borges de Medeiros. At 3pm, watch the Easter Parade. At the end of the day, explore themed exhibitions such as the Artisanal Chocolate Hall.
Day 3: Sacred programming and circuit in Canela
On Sunday, prioritize the Gramado Aleluia agenda. If it’s the exact Easter weekend, follow the festive mass and morning processions. After lunch, travel the few kilometers to the neighboring city of Canela, which also has its own program with cultural interventions and a crafts fair in the square of the imposing Stone Cathedral. Return to Gramado in the early evening.
Food and urban travel in high season
The app-based transport system and taxis operate with high demand. For those staying in the central region, walking is the best option, as traffic on the main avenues becomes slow due to the parades and rotating parking on public roads is highly sought after. If you rent a car, prioritize leaving it in the accommodation’s garage during days of activities concentrated in the urban center.
When it comes to food, the famous fondue sequences and themed restaurants require planning. Dinners during the high Easter season have waiting lines that exceed an hour if there is no prior reservation. Public security in Gramado has high levels of efficiency, allowing night walks along the illuminated roads in complete peace of mind, which facilitates the return on foot from restaurants to hotels in the central perimeter.
The Easter event closes the first four months of the year with the city’s hotel and gastronomic infrastructure operating at maximum capacity. Organizing logistics that alternates free street attractions with traditional tours is the smartest strategy to absorb the festive atmosphere of Serra Gaúcha, ensuring mobility and cost control.
