What Opens and Closes on October 12 Holiday in Brazil
Listen to the story
October 12 is a national holiday in Brazil, celebrating Nossa Senhora Aparecida, the patron saint of the country.
In São Paulo, many businesses will change their usual schedules for the day. Some stores and services will remain closed, while others will stay open.
People in the city are advised to check updated lists before going out, since opening hours can differ from a normal day.
In Aracaju, the holiday will bring a religious procession in honor of Nossa Senhora Aparecida.
Because of the procession, there will be changes to the city's traffic. Certain streets may be closed or have limited access while the event takes place.
Drivers and pedestrians in Aracaju are expected to plan their routes carefully to avoid delays.
Meanwhile, in Greater Goiânia, shopping malls will also adjust their operating hours for the holiday.
Some malls may open later than usual, while others could close earlier than on a typical day.
Public services, such as banks and government offices, often follow different schedules on national holidays like this one.
Residents and visitors in all three cities are encouraged to confirm specific details locally, since each municipality can set its own rules.
This kind of holiday planning is common across Brazil, as cities balance religious celebrations with daily life.
Checking official announcements in advance can help people avoid confusion and manage their time well during the holiday.
Vocabulary10 words
- holiday
- a special day when people do not work
- opening hours
- the times when a place is open for business
- procession
- a group of people walking together for a religious reason
- traffic
- cars and people moving through the streets
- shopping malls
- large buildings with many different shops
- public services
- things like banks or offices run for the public
- municipality
- a city or local area with its own government
- celebrations
- special events to mark something important
- patron saint
- a holy figure connected to a country or place
- pedestrians
- people walking in the street
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Quiz
Answer key
1. Nossa Senhora Aparecida, the patron saint 2. Because of a religious procession 3. Shopping malls will have different hours
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
October 12 is a national _____ in Brazil, celebrating Nossa Senhora Aparecida.
Many businesses in São Paulo will change their usual _____ for the day.
People are advised to check updated lists before going out, since opening hours can _____.
In Aracaju, the holiday will bring a religious _____ in honor of Nossa Senhora Aparecida.
Because of the procession, there will be changes to the city's _____.
Certain streets may be closed or have _____ access.
In Greater Goiânia, _____ will also adjust their operating hours.
Some malls may open later, while others could close _____.
Public services, such as banks, often follow different _____ on holidays.
Each _____ can set its own rules for the holiday.
Discussion questions
- Does your country celebrate a similar religious holiday? What happens on that day?
- Why do you think cities change traffic plans during religious processions?
- Do you think it is helpful for cities to publish lists of what opens and closes? Why?
- How do holidays affect daily routines like shopping or banking where you live?
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