Located 200 meters from the Tiradentes subway station, the Monasteryof Our Lady of Light ( da Luz) hosts the traditional June festival, which takes place on weekends in June and July. This is your chance to enjoy a June festival at a centuries-old landmark in the city, which this year celebrated its 252nd anniversary .
Linked to Friar Galvão, the 18th-century monastery is part of the Museum of Sacred Art and today stands apart from the typical parish festivals. The festival here combines religious devotion with the importance of preserving historical heritage and popular culture.
In addition to exploring one of São Paulo’s most important monuments—which houses one of the world’s largest nativity scenes and is home to the Conceptionist nuns—visitors can also obtain “Frei Galvão’s Pills.” These are sought after by thousands of the faithful for their profound devotional significance.
What can you expect from the Mosteiro da Luz Festival?
Like any good festival, the food is one of the highlights of the event. In addition to traditional June delicacies such as canjica, pamonha, curau, and corn cake, visitors can also sample dishes made from century-old recipes prepared by the nuns—such as the famous pasta dish and handmade sweets.
Meanwhile, the musical lineup will feature a varied repertoire of sertanejo, forró, MPB, and religious music. New this year, the “celebrity quadrilha” will include a comedy skit with audience interaction, where participants dress up as celebrities and pop culture figures.
Another unique attraction of the festival is the Miss and Mister Caipira pageant. The program also features Masses, arts and crafts, bingo games, and culinary workshops. In addition to inflatable rides for children, the event will also be pet-friendly.
Plan your visit!
The festival runs from June 6 to July 26, every weekend, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with free admission. So, you only pay for what you consume! The monastery is located at Avenida Tiradentes, 676, in the Luz neighborhood.
