Festa da Uva 2026: one month to a landmark edition

From grape stomping to major concerts: Festa da Uva 2026 is one month away in Caxias do Sul, celebrating 150 years of Italian immigration.

The countdown starts on Monday (19) for the 35th Festa Nacional da Uva 2026, running from February 19 to March 8, 2026, at Parque de Eventos Mário Bernardino Ramos in Caxias do Sul, Brazil. This is a landmark year, marking 150 years of Italian immigration in Rio Grande do Sul, 135 years of the city’s emancipation, and 95 years of the festival itself.

Under the theme “Fruit of an immigrant dream”, the festival honors all the ethnic communities that helped shape Caxias do Sul, with a special tribute to the first Italian immigrants and their legacy of work, faith, community life, and knowledge passed through generations. The concept ties past, present, and future into a celebration that reaches beyond the event’s dates.

Momentum ahead of opening day

Even before gates open, Festa da Uva 2026 is gaining traction both on the ground and online. By December 2025, the festival had logged 1,445 news stories across local, regional, state, and national outlets. On social media, it surpassed 106,000 Instagram followers (up more than 20,000 in 2025) and reached 189,000 followers on Facebook.

The statement comes from Fernando Bertotto, president of the Community Commission, who highlights the festival’s cultural, tourism, and economic impact, as well as the strong community involvement behind the program.

Taking the invitation on the road

Since the 2026 edition was announced, organizers have presented the program across Rio Grande do Sul, with institutional visits in Porto Alegre, Nova Prata, Bento Gonçalves, Garibaldi, Veranópolis, Flores da Cunha, Antônio Prado, Guaporé, Encantado, and Farroupilha. In Brasília, the festival delivered invitations to the President of Brazil, ministries, the Chamber of Deputies, and the Senate.

Queen Elisa dos Santos Pereira D’Mutti and Princesses Júlia Dallegrave Scopel and Letícia Comin da Silva have already completed more than 120 official engagements, bringing the invitation to diverse audiences and regions. The festival also promoted outreach with ambassadors in early childhood schools, including kid-focused activities such as themed coloring pages.

On the tourism front, Festa da Uva appeared at major travel fairs, including Abav Expo in Rio de Janeiro and Festuris in Gramado, plus meetings with the tourism trade, tour guides, and travel agencies.

New experiences, more free attractions

Festa da Uva 2026 is expanding visitor experiences by blending tradition, innovation, and social gathering. A key new feature is the “Brinde no Mirante,” held daily at 6:30 p.m., offering panoramic city views and an opt-in experience.

The Consevitis-RS Space will host grape and wine tastings guided by specialists. Two fixed stations will also offer free grape tasting: one at the Entrance Gateway (Pórtico) and another at Palácio das Uvas, where visitors can enjoy grapes freely.

Other first-time attractions include a Video Game Museum with free admission throughout the festival and the Aurora Planetarium, offering free 20-minute sessions every hour. On Sundays, the Chimarrão Circle runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Grape stomping joins the program with regular sessions and special weekend time slots. Another debut is a guided visit through the replica of historic Caxias do Sul and the vineyards, designed as an immersion into the story and culture of Italian immigration.

Among the returning favorites, the Saguzaço gets reinforced in 2026 with three editions, every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Colonial Experiences” will showcase demonstrations inspired by the Colonial Games on weekends, while the amusement park keeps the festival’s family-friendly spirit.

Executive Director Carla Pezzi says the 2026 program was built to welcome all ages, combining tradition, culture, tourism, and entertainment, with new experiences, free attractions, major concerts, and themed areas that spotlight local industry, agribusiness, crafts, and regional identity.

Themed areas and shopping fair

The festival layout includes dedicated spaces that highlight key sectors of the local economy and culture: an Industry Space, Tendenza (fashion), Family Agroindustry, Agribusiness, the traditional Shopping Fair, a Crafts area, and an Orchid Space. The idea is to turn the visit into a full-day experience, beyond the stages.

National concerts and local culture

For the first time, the Multicultural Arena will host seven days of national concerts, featuring Maiara & Maraísa, Luan Santana, Henrique & Juliano, Alexandre Pires, Armandinho, Panda, Raimundos, Matogrosso & Mathias, MC Cabelinho, Orochi, MC Daniel, Rainha Musical, San Marino, and Tchê Garotos. Concert tickets include entry to the park, while the park ticket does not include access to the shows.

Multicultural Arena concert dates:

Feb 21 — Maiara & Maraísa + Panda

Feb 27 — MC Cabelinho, Orochi, and MC Daniel

Feb 28 — Luan Santana

Mar 1 — Armandinho and Raimundos

Mar 6 — Henrique & Juliano

Mar 7 — Alexandre Pires (Pagonejo) + Matogrosso & Mathias

Mar 8 — Rainha Musical, San Marino, and Tchê Garotos

Beyond the headline acts, the festival will deliver more than 120 local, regional, and state cultural performances, spanning theater, music, dance, choirs, traditional gaucho groups (CTGs), and roaming acts. The Som & Luz show, produced in partnership with Sesc, will run for seven performances throughout the schedule.

Colonial Games already underway

The festival’s Colonial Games started on January 17 with the Press Challenge, followed by stages in Linha 40 and Ana Rech. Through March, the circuit will pass through 14 neighborhoods and districts in Caxias do Sul, reviving rural traditions and connecting generations.

The competition features 12 modalities, including making bigoli, stomping grapes, shelling corn, cheese throwing, tractor racing, wheelbarrow racing, cucagna cart hauling, mini 48 (bocce), “toma que é de uva,” the panòcia game (corn cob tossing), plus children’s events like sack racing and the mastela kick. The program also includes Adapted Games for people with disabilities. The grand final takes place on March 7 on Rua Sinimbu, in front of the Diocesan Cathedral, with a surprise challenge.

Tickets, free entry days, and discounts

Park entry costs R$ 30, while grandstand seating for the scenic parades costs R$ 100. On Mondays and Tuesdays during the festival, park admission will be free.

National concert ticket prices vary by artist and date, with details on the official website: www.festadauva.com.br.

Children up to 12 enter the park for free. People with disabilities receive free park entry and are entitled to half-price tickets for concerts. Students and people aged 60+ pay half price, in accordance with Brazilian law.

Sponsorship and production

The 35th Festa da Uva is carried out through the Pró-Cultura Law of the Rio Grande do Sul State Department of Culture. Festa da Uva 2026 is sponsored by HDI Seguros, Banrisul, Marcopolo, RandonCorp, Sicredi Pioneira, Sulgás, Supermercados Andreazza, Unimed Serra Gaúcha, Vantajão Atacado, Vero, and Sulcorte.

Supporters include FSG – Centro Universitário, Fusopar, CSG, Orquídea, Sanmartin, Biglia Advocacia, Eaton, Mebrafe, DRSUL Nissan, Susin Francescutti, Ou, Soprano, BRDE, Agrimar, PHD Guindastes, Global Prime Wood, Guinchos Vanin, Weloze, Dallemole Estruturas Metálicas, and Consevitis-RS.

The festival is produced by Festa da Uva, the City Hall of Caxias do Sul, and the Ministry of Culture – Federal Government.

Service — Festa Nacional da Uva 2026

Location: Parque de Eventos Mário Bernardino Ramos — Caxias do Sul (RS), Brazil

Dates: February 19 to March 8, 2026

www.festadauva.com.br

@festanacionaldauva

Park hours: Monday to Thursday: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Park hours: Fridays: 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Park hours: Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Park hours: Sundays: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Parades: Feb 19, 2026 (Thu) — 8 p.m.

Parades: Feb 22, 2026 (Sun) — 4 p.m.

Parades: Feb 26, 2026 (Thu) — 8 p.m.

Parades: Mar 1, 2026 (Sun) — 4 p.m.

Parades: Mar 5, 2026 (Thu) — 8 p.m.

Parades: Mar 8, 2026 (Sun) — 4 p.m.

Pre-parade: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., depending on the day

Parade route: Rua Sinimbu, between Alfredo Chaves St. and Dr. Montaury St.

Contacts: WhatsApp: (54) 99168-8237

Contacts: Tourism reception: turismo@festadauva.com.br

Contacts: Space sales: tesouraria@festadauva.com.br

Foto: Divulgação