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Religious festival · Salvador
A walking procession of several kilometers from Cidade Baixa to the Sacred Hill in Salvador, where baianas dressed in white wash the steps of the Basilica of the Senhor do Bonfim with scented water.
In the photo: Salvador
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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Washing of Bonfim — Salvador
On the Thursday before the second Sunday after Epiphany (January 6), which is the Sunday of the Feast of the Lord of Bonfim; therefore it always takes place in January, usually on the second or third Thursday of the month.
January
Dates change every year: check this year's date before you travel.
The festival
The Washing of Bonfim is the popular highlight of the Feast of the Senhor do Bonfim, the Catholic celebration that closes the Christmas cycle in Salvador. The festival lasts about ten days in January, with novenas and masses, and ends on the second Sunday after Epiphany, the Day of the Senhor do Bonfim. The Washing takes place on the preceding Thursday and brings together faithful, residents and visitors dressed in white.
The custom dates back to the 18th century. Before the festival, the church was washed and decorated; according to historical accounts, the task fell to enslaved people and pilgrims, under the direction of the brotherhood of the Senhor do Bonfim. Over time, the cleaning became a procession and acquired its present meaning: in Bahia’s religious syncretism, the Senhor do Bonfim is associated with Oxalá, and the Washing blends Catholicism and candomblé. In 2013, the Feast of the Senhor do Bonfim was entered in the national intangible heritage register kept by Iphan.
Early in the morning, after an inter-religious ceremony on the forecourt of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Conception of the Beach (Basílica de Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Praia), in the Comércio neighborhood, the procession follows through Cidade Baixa to the Itapagipe Peninsula. Leading the way are the baianas, wearing full skirts and carrying quartinhas (small jars) of scented water and flowers; behind them come decorated carts, afoxé groups, fanfares, blocos and a crowd walking and singing. At the top of the hill, the baianas pour the perfumed water over the steps and the forecourt of the basilica, and many people receive scented water.
After the washing, the celebration continues in Largo do Bonfim and nearby streets, with stalls, music and samba circles into the night. It is also the day to tie the Senhor do Bonfim ribbons to the church railings — colorful strips bearing the saint’s name that are tied on the wrist while making three wishes. For visitors to Salvador in January, the Washing shows in a single day the city’s religiosity, music and street life.
The departure of the procession in the morning, in front of Conceição da Praia, with the baianas in line. The arrival at the Sacred Hill and the washing of the steps. The Senhor do Bonfim ribbons tied to the railings. On the following Sunday, the solemn Mass of the Day of the Senhor do Bonfim at the basilica.
Wear white clothing, like most participants, and comfortable shoes: the route is several kilometers long, under the sun. Bring water, sunscreen and a hat. If you don’t want to walk the whole way you can wait for the procession at a point in Cidade Baixa or go straight to Largo do Bonfim. The streets along the route are closed to traffic; prefer arriving on foot or arrange your return in advance.
Acarajé and abará sold by the baianas on their trays, cocada, grilled queijo coalho and fruit sold along the route; in Largo do Bonfim there are stalls offering Bahian food.
January is high season in Salvador because of vacations and summer. Book accommodation early and check the exact day, which is set by the liturgical calendar.
In the city
Flavors of Brazil
January
JanuaryOn January 20, the day of the city’s patron saint, which is a municipal holiday in Rio de Janeiro.
The patron saint’s day in Rio de Janeiro, with masses and the procession that carries the saint’s image from Tijuca to the Metropolitan Cathedral in the downtown area.
October/November/December/JanuaryFrom late October to mid‑January, for more than two and a half months, covering Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Gramado’s Christmas season in the Serra Gaúcha, with the town lit up, parades and Christmas shows, choir concerts and a Christmas village in the downtown area.
November/December/JanuaryFrom late November to early January, throughout the Christmas season.
Petrópolis’ Christmas season, with the Crystal Palace lit up, concerts, choirs and children’s attractions in the historic center of the Imperial City.
Your questions
On a Thursday in January: the one preceding the second Sunday after Epiphany, January 6, which is the Sunday of the Feast of the Senhor do Bonfim. Therefore the date varies from year to year.
The procession begins at Conceição da Praia, the basilica in the Comércio neighborhood, and continues through Cidade Baixa to the Basilica of the Senhor do Bonfim on the Sacred Hill — a route of several kilometers.
White is the color of Oxalá, the orixá associated with the Senhor do Bonfim in Bahian syncretism, and the color of peace. Most participants, religious or not, wear white.
Festivals and events in Brazil
February/MarchFrom Saturday to Carnival Tuesday, beginning with the departure of the Homem da Meia-Noite at midnight between Saturday and Sunday; Carnival falls in February or March, depending on Easter.
The party on the cobbled hills of Olinda’s historic center, a World Heritage site: blocks and troças without a trio elétrico, frevo orchestras on foot and giant puppets, led by the Homem da Meia-Noite.
February/MarchFrom the Thursday before to Ash Wednesday of Carnival week, which falls in February or March according to Easter.
Salvador’s street Carnival, led by trios elétricos and by Afro blocks, across three main circuits: the Barra to Ondina waterfront, the downtown Campo Grande, and the Pelourinho.
February/MarchDuring Carnival week, in February or March, with the official opening at Marco Zero before Sábado de Zé Pereira, when the Galo da Madrugada parades; main programming continues through Tuesday.
The state capital’s street Carnival, to the sound of frevo and maracatu: the Galo da Madrugada in the center on Sábado de Zé Pereira, the official opening at Marco Zero, and poles with stages and processions spread across the neighborhoods.
February/MarchIn February or March, depending on the Carnival calendar, which changes each year with the date of Easter.
The samba school parades at the Sambódromo da Marquês de Sapucaí and the street blocos spread across the city during Carnival days.
FebruaryOn February 2, with the House of Iemanjá opening to receive offerings on the eve, February 1.
Tribute by the fishermen of Rio Vermelho, in Salvador, to Iemanjá, orixá of the salt waters: devotees and visitors bring flowers and gifts, which are placed in baskets on boats and taken out to the open sea late in the afternoon.
February/MarchEvery two years, in even-numbered years, between mid-February and early March, during the grape harvest. · Every two years
The grape harvest and Italian immigration festival in Caxias do Sul, in the Serra Gaúcha, featuring a parade of floats in the city center, grapes served in the park, colonial food and Italo-Gaucho culture.
