The cancellation of Guararema’s Christmas Town in 2024 generated a wave of frustration among tourists and residents, who had already counted on the festival in their calendar of festivities. In 2025, however, the local government announced that the Christmas program would be resumed, putting the municipality once again among the top destinations for enjoying the holiday season in the interior of São Paulo.
Instead of repeating Christmas Town, this year Guararema is offering an unprecedented celebration. The event preserves its traditional charm and magic, but now in an intimate format that favors local artists and experiences. And the best part: just 79 kilometers from the city of São Paulo, perfect for a weekend trip.
Cidade Natal has already brought together more than half a million people per edition
For many years, Guararema Christmas has been one of the biggest cultural attractions in the interior of São Paulo. Since its first edition in 2009, Cidade Natal has brought lights, parades, carols and typical decorations to the streets, attracting more than 600,000 tourists per edition.
The main aim of the event was to boost tourism and the regional economy, making Guararema one of the most popular destinations at the end of the year. That’s why the cancellation of Christmas Town 2024 took everyone by surprise! Despite the protests, the town hall claimed that the action was necessary due to spending cuts and complaints from residents about the overcrowding generated by the party.
After last year’s controversy, the city opted to rethink the event. Instead of Christmas Town, Guararema’s celebration will be “lighter” and less grandiose, but just as fun and welcoming.
What will Christmas in Guararema be like in 2025?
The proposal for the new format is to concentrate the program at strategic points, as is the case with other cultural festivals in the city. This way, visitors will get the most out of it without causing major changes to the daily lives of Guararema residents.
There is still no date for the start of the program, but it is already known that it will feature free and festive attractions. In addition to the traditional decorations, Christmas will feature a gastronomic space and performances by local artists, demonstrating Guararema’s commitment to the region’s culture.
