Festa da Quitanda and Festival da Goiabada 2025 in Cocais, MG

13th Festa da Quitanda and 12th Festival da Goiabada

Tradition, flavor and good music came together once again at the Praça do Rosário, in Cocais, a district of Barão de Cocais, with the 13th Festa da Quitanda and 12th Festival da Goiabada (quitandas are traditional homemade baked goods; goiabada is guava paste), held on May 3 and 4, 2025. The event, already a landmark of the culture and cuisine of the Serra do Caraça, once again celebrated the roots, memory and talent of those who keep the Minas Gerais essence alive through quitandas and goiabada cascão.

Promoted by the Barão de Cocais City Hall and the Association of Family Farming, Quitandeiras and Sweet Makers, the festival was sponsored by the Instituto Cultural Vale and supported by Emater-MG, COMTUR, COMPAC and the Descubra Barão project.
The event reinforces the role of Cocais as one of the most important centers of Minas Gerais culinary culture, strengthening the local economy and cultural tourism in the region.

A festival that unites generations in the Serra do Caraça

For more than a decade, the Festa da Quitanda and Festival da Goiabada have been a symbol of identity and belonging for the Cocais community. More than a food gathering, the celebration is a space where generations come together and countryside traditions take on new life through the know-how and flavors passed down from parents to children.

Over the two days, the public could taste traditional treats, take part in the traditional quitanda workshops and enjoy cultural and musical performances that turned the square into a great setting of memory and joy.
The smell of pão de queijo, cornmeal broa and artisanal goiabada filled the air, inviting everyone to celebrate the most authentic cooking of the Serra do Caraça.

Program and unmissable musical attractions

The 2025 edition offered a program mixing culture, learning and high-quality music. On Saturday and Sunday, visitors could take part in quitanda workshops, cultural activities and a moving music schedule.

The lineup featured two big names in Brazilian music:

• Rodrigo Zanc, a viola player and a national reference in traditional country music, bringing to the stage the authentic sound of the backlands, its stories and simple life;

• Renato Teixeira, acclaimed author of classics such as "Romaria" and "Amanheceu, Peguei a Viola", whose poetry and songs celebrate the countryside and inland Minas Gerais.

Regional artists also had space to show their talent, ensuring a varied program that valued both the local scene and the big names of Brazilian popular music.

Culture, flavor and regional identity

More than a food celebration, the 2025 Festa da Quitanda and Festival da Goiabada were a true revival of the traditions of inland Minas Gerais. The quitandeiras and sweet makers of Cocais, Boa Vista and the surrounding region had the opportunity to display their products, share recipes and tell their stories, turning the event into a showcase of culture and rural entrepreneurship.

Each recipe carries a piece of the community's history. Breads, cakes, biscuits, cheeses and sweets made with simple ingredients and plenty of affection — the true flavor of the Serra do Caraça.
Besides the food, the event also encourages tourism, boosting the local economy and attracting visitors who want to discover the traditions and historic heritage of Barão de Cocais.

Valuing roots and strengthening the local economy

The Association of Family Farming, Quitandeiras and Sweet Makers has played a key role in organizing and strengthening the event, promoting collective work and community unity.
With the support of the local government and partner companies, the festival has become an important tool for sustainable development, generating income and visibility for rural producers, artisans and local entrepreneurs.

The event also reaffirms the City Hall's commitment to cultural and food tourism, making Cocais an increasingly recognized destination for the authenticity and hospitality of its people.

A tradition that lives on

With each edition, the Festa da Quitanda and Festival da Goiabada reinforce what is most beautiful in Minas Gerais culture: the meeting of past and present.
Between the smell of goiabada in the copper pan and the sound of the violas, the public reconnects with its origins and creates new memories. It is a festival made of affection, stories and flavors that stand the test of time.

With free admission and a program for all ages, the 2025 edition was an invitation to live the Serra do Caraça experience through food, music and tradition.