Every October, the city of Belém, in the Brazilian state of Pará, becomes the stage for one of the largest religious gatherings in the world: the Círio de Nazaré. In 2025, the grand procession will take place on October 12, drawing millions of pilgrims and visitors to honor Our Lady of Nazareth, the patroness of the Amazon and of sailors.
The devotion is so deep that the Círio is often called the Christmas of Pará, transforming daily life across the state with a wave of faith, family reunions, processions, music, food, and culture. This year, Belém is receiving even more attention — not only because of the Círio but also because the city will soon host the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in November. Together, these events highlight the global and spiritual importance of the Amazon.
A Festival with Centuries of History
The origins of the Círio go back to the 18th century, when legend tells of an Indigenous man who discovered a statue of Nossa Senhora de Nazaré by a stream near Belém. Since 1793, the faithful have honored the Virgin with annual processions, inspired by Portuguese Catholic traditions and enriched with Amazonian culture.
The image, affectionately known as Nazinha, is kept at the Basilica Sanctuary of Nazaré, where it remains throughout the year. Every October, she becomes the centerpiece of a festival that blends sacred devotion with cultural celebration, drawing not just believers but also artists, artisans, politicians, and curious travelers from across Brazil and beyond.
The Main Procession of the Círio
The highlight of the Círio is the grand procession held on the second Sunday of October. Beginning at the Sé Cathedral, the statue of Our Lady is placed in the Berlinda — a richly decorated carriage covered in flowers and jewels — and pulled through the streets of Belém to the Sanctuary Square of the Basilica of Nazaré.
A 400-meter-long rope, carried by thousands of barefoot pilgrims, symbolizes the connection between the saint and her followers. Touching the rope is considered a blessing, and many wait hours for the chance to lay their hands on it. Some devotees walk barefoot, others on their knees, and many carry objects such as crucifixes or replicas of the Virgin as acts of gratitude or petitions.
The 3.6 km route, which could be completed in an hour, often stretches into several hours due to the enormous crowd. Along the way, moments of tension and emotion unfold — the cutting of the rope, showers of paper confetti, and the solemn passage through the Varanda de Nazaré, where families and friends gather to watch from balconies.
The Nazarene Court: Weeks of Celebrations
The Círio is not confined to a single day. It is part of the Corte Nazarena (Nazarene Court), which encompasses 14 official processions and countless cultural activities that begin in August and extend two weeks beyond the main procession.
Major Events Leading Up to the Círio
- Trasladação (Transfer Procession): A candlelit vigil on Saturday evening before the main day, with thousands of devotees walking the reverse route from Colégio Gentil to the Sé Cathedral.
- Círio Fluvial (River Pilgrimage): On Saturday morning, boats, yachts, and canoes escort the saint across Guajará Bay, honoring her as patroness of sailors.
- Moto Romaria (Motorbike Pilgrimage): Immediately after the river journey, thousands of motorcycles parade through the city.
- Road Pilgrimages: The statue is carried through neighboring towns such as Icoaraci, allowing nearby communities to pay tribute.
- Children’s Pilgrimage and Allegorical Floats: Families bring children dressed as angels for the Carro dos Anjinhos, while the Carro das Promessas collects tokens and objects of devotion.
Closing Event: Recírio
Two weeks later, the Recírio closes the cycle, when a replica of Our Lady is carried back to its resting place, marking the end of the Nazarene Court until the following year.
Faith, Food, and Amazonian Identity
The Círio is more than a religious manifestation; it is also a cultural and social event that defines Pará’s identity. Streets fill with small altars in homes, shops, schools, and markets. Families reunite for the traditional Círio Lunch, featuring dishes such as duck in tucupi, maniçoba, and desserts like cupuaçu mousse.
Local fairs and markets sell handicrafts, especially toys made from palm wood, and stages host musical performances that showcase Amazonian rhythms like carimbó. The mix of sacred devotion and festive joy creates an atmosphere where the spiritual and the cultural coexist seamlessly.
The Festival’s Reach Beyond Belém
Although Belém remains the heart of the Círio, the tradition has spread throughout Brazil. Cities like Manaus, Macapá, and Rio Branco now hold their own processions, brought by migrants from Pará who carry the devotion with them. Still, the magnitude of the Círio in Belém — with up to three million people involved across its events — remains unmatched.
Why the Círio Matters Today
For the people of Pará, the Círio is a spiritual anchor, a cultural showcase, and a reminder of community ties. It structures the local calendar, reshapes the city’s traffic, influences political debates, and brings families together in ways that echo Christmas elsewhere.
For the world, it is an opportunity to witness the depth of Amazonian devotion and to understand how spirituality, ecology, and tradition coexist in Brazil’s north. And in 2025, with Belém also preparing to host COP30, the Círio will remind the global community that the Amazon is not only an environmental treasure but also a living cultural and spiritual landscape.
Visiting Belém for the Círio de Nazaré 2025
- Date of Main Procession: October 12, 2025
- Where: Belém, Pará, Brazil
- Festivities: August through late October, with 14 official processions and countless cultural events.
- Tips for Visitors:
- Book accommodation months ahead; hotels fill quickly.
- Prepare for heat, humidity, and very large crowds — water and comfortable shoes are essential.
- Try traditional dishes at the Círio Lunch to experience Amazonian flavors.
- Arrive early to witness the Trasladação and the Círio Fluvial for a fuller experience of the Nazarene Court.
A Celebration of Faith and Belonging
The Círio de Nazaré is a living tradition, passed from parents to children, that binds generations together through devotion and culture. It is a reminder that the Amazon is not only the lungs of the planet but also the heart of a people.
In October 2025, as Belém prepares for the eyes of the world during COP30, the city will first reaffirm its deepest identity through the Círio: a festival where faith and culture unite millions, transforming the streets into a sea of devotion and hope.
For those inspired to witness this extraordinary celebration firsthand, it’s easier than ever to get there — Gol Linhas Aéreas now offers direct flights from Miami to Belém, bringing you straight into the heart of Brazil’s Amazon region and the unforgettable energy of the Círio de Nazaré.
