Gramado selects official Santa Claus for 41st Natal Luz

César Fernando Freitas Silveira, 60, has been selected as the official Santa Claus for the 41st Natal Luz festival in Gramado, Brazil. The selection process concluded with an in-person audition at the Expogramado Event Center.

Silveira, from Porto Alegre, was chosen from a group of highly qualified finalists after a judging panel evaluated candidates on their interpretation and ability to embody the character. The competition included other finalists such as Jorge Luís Petry, José Macário Abel, Cleidi Ubiratan dos Santos Alves, and Clovis Geovan Vijales.

The judging commission included festival directors and event managers from Nativitaten, the Grande Desfile de Natal, and Gramadotur. The upcoming Natal Luz season is scheduled to run from October 22, 2026, to January 17, 2027.