The holiday of Good Friday, on April 18, 2025, and the Tiradentes holiday, on April 21, 2025, will create a four-day weekend in Brazil, significantly affecting the operations of various services and establishments across the country. As citizens prepare for this extended break, many are wondering what will remain open and what will close during this time.
According to the Febraban (Federação Brasileira de Bancos), all bank branches will be closed on both holidays, with no public service available. This means that customers will not be able to access banking services or conduct transactions, including TEDs. However, the PIX system will continue to operate normally, as it is available 24 hours a day. Bills and accounts due on these days can be paid on the next business day without incurring any surcharges, but it is advisable to pay taxes in advance to avoid penalties.
Additionally, the Correios agencies will not be open during the Good Friday and Tiradentes holidays. For those needing postal services, some locations that typically operate on Saturdays will be open, and deliveries will proceed as scheduled. Meanwhile, the B3 (Brazilian Stock Exchange) will also suspend trading on these days, resuming regular operations on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, from 10 AM to 5 PM.
In terms of commerce, the general trend is that stores will be closed on Good Friday, with optional operations in some regions on the Tiradentes holiday. Shopping malls typically only open their food courts and recreational areas on Good Friday, while stores and kiosks remain closed. Normal operations are expected to resume on April 21, 2025, with many supermarkets likely to remain open on both holidays to serve the public during the morning hours.
Public transport systems in some cities, such as Fortaleza, will operate on a special holiday schedule, which includes altered timings and reduced services on certain lines. Other public services, including government offices, lottery agencies, and service centers, will generally be closed on both holidays, returning to normal operations shortly after.
In Goiás, the state government has issued Decree 10.659, signed by Governor Ronaldo Caiado, which declares April 17, 2025, as an optional holiday, leading into the national Good Friday holiday. This decree allows for a break in operations for various state services, though essential services like healthcare and emergency response will remain operational.
On April 17, the Vapt Vupt service units will operate on a special schedule from 8 AM to 1 PM, with some locations, including Padrão Detran, Padrão Procon, and Buriti Shopping, remaining closed. From April 18 to April 21, all Vapt Vupt units will be closed, reopening on April 22.
The Department of Transit of Goiás (Detran) and its regional offices (Ciretrans) will also be closed from April 17 to April 21, 2025. However, users can access many services through the Detran website and mobile app during this period.
Restaurants in the state will continue operating normally on the optional holiday of April 17, but they will close from April 18 to April 21. The Restaurante do Bem, which offers affordable meals, will be open on April 17 from 10 AM to 2:30 PM, but will not serve customers during the national holidays.
While the Saneago company will maintain essential services for the water and sewage systems throughout the holidays, customer support will be available 24/7 through various channels, including a dedicated hotline and online services.
In the cultural sector, venues such as Cine Cultura in Goiânia and Cine Teatro São Joaquim in the city of Goiás are set to offer special programming during the holidays, with classic film screenings scheduled to begin on April 17. However, most other cultural units in the state will be closed from April 17 to April 21.
As the holidays approach, many in Brazil are preparing for a brief respite from their daily routines. The Good Friday and Tiradentes holidays provide an opportunity for families to gather, reflect, and enjoy time together, but they also require planning to navigate the changes in service availability.
In summary, the impact of the upcoming holidays on services in Brazil is significant, with banks, postal services, and many businesses closing their doors. While essential services will remain operational, citizens are encouraged to plan ahead and make necessary arrangements to avoid inconveniences over the holiday period. As always, it is wise to check local service hours and availability to ensure a smooth holiday experience.
