Newdecmoi · CC BY-SA 3.0Espíritu Santo
Patron-saint festival · Villarrica
What it is
Procession around the cathedral, fireworks and a folk festival with jineteada (bronc riding) and a food fair.
Movable date: Pentecost Sunday (May 16 in 2027). Villarrica was founded on a Pentecost; its anniversary is May 14.
The fiesta patronal (patron saint's festival) is the biggest day of the year in every Paraguayan town. It honors the local patron saint or Virgin with a novena (nine days of prayer), a serenade on the eve, a main Mass and a procession with a brass band, firecrackers and flags. Then comes the secular side: a kermesse (village fair) on the plaza, karu guasu (a big communal feast), chipa (cheesy cassava bread) and sopa paraguaya (savory cornbread) at the food stalls, dancing, torín or Paraguayan-style bullfighting (the bull is never killed), jineteadas (rodeo-style bronc riding) and carreras de sortija (a horseback ring-lancing race). As a visitor, arrive early for the procession, be respectful during Mass, try the food cooked by the parish committees and ask for the program at the church: dates often shift to the nearest weekend.
Dates may shift to the nearest weekend.
What to see
Villarrica · Guairá
Villarrica del Espíritu Santo
The 'wandering city' that moved seven times: capital of Guairá, cradle of poets and home of the Guairá Carnival.
Villarrica (compañía Ytororó) · Guairá
Itá Letra, las «letras de la piedra» del Ybytyruzú
An archaeological site with pre-Columbian rock carvings at the eastern edge of Villarrica, discovered in the 1950s.
Villarrica (compañía Ytororó) · Guairá
Cerro Mymýi y los cerros de Ytororó
Three hills of 400 to 500 m (Tigre, Mymýi and Pelado) on Villarrica's eastern edge, ideal for hikes.
Villarrica · Guairá
Parque Manuel Ortiz Guerrero y laguna Ycuá Pytá
A lagoon park in downtown Villarrica: boat rides, tame capybaras and the poet Ortiz Guerrero's tomb.
Festivals and events here
Guairá Carnival
Dance troupes, carnival royalty and drum bands in the Villarrica sambadrome, one of the most traditional carnivals outside the capital.
CarnivalVillarrica, GuairáFeaturedMayGuairá Rally (Codasur round)
The South American rally championship comes to the roads of Guairá, based in Villarrica, with stages among hills and farming colonies.
SportVillarrica, GuairáSepVillarrica Flower Parade
Themed floats from schools and youth groups roll through downtown Villarrica to welcome spring.
FestivalVillarrica, GuairáOctFestival de la Raza
One of the oldest folk festivals outside the capital, with artists from Guairá and a “Giant Night.”
MusicVillarrica, GuairáResearched and reviewed in September 2026 with — sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.