tourism is the major economic resource of the area and vila do abraão is home to many of the festivities that occur on ilha grande to the day. 

every january, the festa de são sebastião, saint sebastian-the catholic saint against plague, famine and war and  patron saint of abraão, livens up every corner of ilha grande.

the island starts the first day of the festival at sunrise on january 20th, to the sounds of fireworks and music and, after the initial mass of the festival, a traditional catholic procession begins the festivities through the streets and along the waterfront of the cove.

the procession begins at the landmark church of são sebastião, in the town's main square, and residents and visitors alike join the parade singing hymns along a band scoring the event.