🌞 Rio Weekend Guide: What to Do in Rio de Janeiro This Weekend (January 9–11, 2026)
Looking for what to do in Rio de Janeiro this weekend? Get your flip-flops, sunscreen, and biggest smile ready, because the Marvelous City is on fire with amazing things to do from January 9 to 11, 2026. 🌞
There will be samba to dance until your legs give out, charming street fairs, cultural walks, carnival blocks warming up their drums, plus free workshops and theater happening all over the city. All of it with that unmistakable Carioca way of living summer: outdoors, surrounded by music, art, friends, and good vibes.
And the best part? Most of these events are 100% free — so you can enjoy your vacation without blowing your budget. 🥁✨
So come with me and discover 25 unmissable events in Rio this weekend, from Friday to Sunday. It’s time to build your perfect itinerary and enjoy every second in the most vibrant city in Brazil.
🏛️ Culture & Walking Tours in Downtown Rio
🕍 Free Walker Tours – Historic Walking Tour
📍 Praça XV – Historic Downtown
🗓️ Jan 9 – 10:30 AM
💰 Free
👉 Learn more
What it is: A free guided walking tour through Rio’s historic center, led by passionate local guides.
Why go: It’s a light, fun history lesson and a great way to rediscover the city.
🎨 Viva Mauricio – CCBB Exhibition
📍 CCBB Rio – Rua Primeiro de Março, 66
🗓️ Jan 10 – 9 AM to 7 PM
💰 Free
👉 Ticket reservation
What it is: An immersive exhibition honoring Mauricio de Sousa and the famous Turma da Mônica comics.
Why go: Perfect for families and comic fans — interactive, colorful, and nostalgic.
⛪ Discovering Rio: São Bento Monastery & Morro da Conceição
📍 Rua Dom Gerardo, 68 – Downtown
🗓️ Jan 11 – 8:45 AM
💰 Free (registration via Sympla)
👉 Sign up
What it is: A guided walk through historic and religious sites in downtown Rio.
Why go: Combines spirituality, history, and some of the most beautiful views in the city.
🎭 Machado de Assis: His Life and Work in Old Rio’s Streets
📍 Praça Tiradentes – Downtown
🗓️ Jan 11 – 10 AM
💰 Free (Sympla)
👉 Reserve here
What it is: A street theater performance telling the story of Brazil’s greatest writer.
Why go: A mix of art, literature, and urban exploration — a classic of Rio’s cultural agenda.
🎬 Experimento H – Companhia do Latão
📍 Teatro Vianinha – Armazém da Utopia
🗓️ Jan 11 – 7 PM
💰 Free
👉 Sympla
What it is: A political and thought-provoking theater performance.
Why go: A rare chance to watch high-quality theater without paying a cent.
🎨 Summer at MAR – Orfeu Negro Workshop
📍 Museum of Art of Rio (MAR) – Praça Mauá, 5
🗓️ Jan 10 – 3:30 PM
💰 Free
👉 Sympla
What it is: An art workshop inspired by the classic film Black Orpheus.
Why go: A great option to enjoy art with kids.
🎶 Samba, Music & Pure Joy
🪘 Roda de Samba Aguadeira
📍 Afro-Brazilian History and Culture Museum – Gamboa
🗓️ Jan 9 – 3 PM
💰 Free
👉 @encontrodeaguadeira
What it is: A women-led samba circle celebrating Black resistance.
Why go: Powerful music and an atmosphere full of ancestry.
🎷 Samba do Pasmado
📍 Praça Eng. Bernardo Saião – Botafogo
🗓️ Jan 10 – 3 PM
💰 Free
👉 @sambadopasmado
What it is: A traditional samba circle that livens up Botafogo.
Why go: Roots samba, friendly people, and a true neighborhood vibe.
🎺 Samba do Xoxó
📍 Shopping Boulevard Rio – Vila Isabel
🗓️ Jan 10 – 4 PM to 10 PM
💰 Free (Sympla)
👉 Event
What it is: A high-energy samba circle with special guests.
Why go: Light atmosphere, beautiful view, and Arlindinho leading the party.
🎵 Samba do Caboclo
📍 Centro Cultural Dyla Sylvia de Sá – Realengo
🗓️ Jan 11 – 2 PM
💰 Free (bring 1kg of food for donation)
👉 @sambadocaboclo
What it is: A resistance samba circle in the suburbs.
Why go: Tradition, community, and solidarity in one place.
🥁 Samba Miudinho
📍 Escambo Cultural – Sulacap
🗓️ Jan 10 – 4 PM
💰 Free
👉 Sympla
What it is: A family-friendly samba circle.
Why go: Good music, positive energy, and a welcoming environment.
🎉 Sapagode
📍 Novowellsbeer – Rua do Ouvidor, 60 – Downtown
🗓️ Jan 9 – 7 PM
💰 Free (Sympla)
👉 Event
What it is: Free pagode in the heart of downtown Rio.
Why go: Craft beer and roots pagode to start the weekend right.
🎷 Prainha Jazz
📍 Posto 0 – Glória
🗓️ Jan 11 – 2 PM
💰 Free
👉 @prainhajazz
What it is: A gathering of independent musicians by the beach.
Why go: The perfect soundtrack for a Carioca sunset.
💃 Sambotica at Capiberibe
📍 Rua Capiberibe, 27 – Santo Cristo
🗓️ Jan 9 – 7 PM
💰 Free
👉 @sambotica
What it is: A party with samba, charme, and great food.
Why go: One of the most authentic hangouts in the port zone.
🪗 Samba at Pedra do Sal
📍 Rua Argemiro Bulcão – Saúde
🗓️ Jan 10 – 7 PM
💰 Free
👉 @pedradosal
What it is: A traditional samba circle at the birthplace of Afro-Brazilian culture in Rio.
Why go: Living heritage — unmissable for locals and tourists.
🧺 Street Fairs, Food & Culture
🎨 Antiques Fair – Praça XV
📍 Downtown
🗓️ Jan 11 – 9 AM to 5 PM
💰 Free
👉 Bafafá
What it is: An open-air antiques and thrift fair.
Why go: Perfect for treasure hunting and amazing photos.
💃 Afrobunker Expansion – 3rd Edition
📍 Centro Coreográfico – Tijuca
🗓️ Jan 10 – 1 PM
💰 Free
👉 Rio City Hall
What it is: A festival celebrating Black culture with dance, music, and art.
Why go: One of the most powerful and representative summer events.
🌈 Ofuxicofeira
📍 Praça Nossa Senhora da Paz – Ipanema
🗓️ Jan 10 & 11 – 12 PM
💰 Free
👉 @ofuxicofeira
What it is: An alternative fair with independent fashion and craft beer.
Why go: Laid-back vibe and Ipanema’s bohemian spirit.
🍤 Gastro Samba
📍 Praça General Tibúrcio – Urca
🗓️ Jan 10 & 11 – 12 PM to 9 PM
💰 Free
👉 @gastrosamba
What it is: A food fair with samba and craft beer.
Why go: Great food, dancing, and family-friendly atmosphere.
🎨 Santa Cruz Cultural Fair
📍 Praça Ruão – Santa Cruz
🗓️ Jan 10 & 11 – 1 PM to 8 PM
💰 Free
👉 @feiraculturalsantacruz
What it is: A community event with crafts, music, and local food.
Why go: Strong community vibe and appreciation of popular culture.
🎭 Carnival Blocks & Parties
🎉 Desliga da Justiça Block Rehearsal
📍 Rua do Carmo, 84 – Downtown
🗓️ Jan 10 – 2 PM
💰 Free
👉 @desligadajustica
What it is: Rehearsal of one of Rio’s most irreverent carnival blocks.
Why go: Heats up Carnival with humor and samba.
🎭 Plantanamente Block Rehearsal
📍 Praça Almirante Júlio de Noronha – Leme
🗓️ Jan 10 – 3:20 PM
💰 Free
👉 @plantanamente
What it is: An alternative block with good music and ocean views.
Why go: Creative, light, and perfect for Saturday.
🎊 Rastro de Cobra Party
📍 Passeio Público – Lapa
🗓️ Jan 10 – 8 PM
💰 Free (Sympla)
👉 Event
What it is: A party mixing classic Brazilian music and tropical beats.
Why go: Contagious energy, color, and sparkle until late.
🌅 Conclusion – What to Do in Rio de Janeiro This Weekend
So, are you ready to take on this full itinerary? 😍
Now you truly know what to do in Rio de Janeiro this weekend — and the best part is, you can enjoy almost all of it for free.
Rio is pulsing with art, samba, culture, food, and free events in every corner of the city: from Historic Downtown to the beaches of the South Zone, through Santa Cruz’s fairs, Vila Isabel’s samba, Glória’s jazz, and the carnival blocks warming up for 2026.
This is the perfect moment to live the best of Carioca summer: walk through historic streets, discover cultural fairs, enjoy open-air shows, and feel that unique joy only Rio can offer.
Whether you’re a local or a visitor, let yourself be carried by the drums, try street food, make new friends, and photograph every sunset you cross. 🌅
✨ Golden tip: Save this guide and share it with friends — that way no one misses the best tips on what to do in Rio de Janeiro this weekend and the city’s free cultural events.
🪩 What to Do in Rio de Janeiro This Weekend
🎉 So, are you in for this full itinerary?
Rio is full of life, culture, and rhythm — and you can enjoy it all without spending much! 💃☀️
Now that you know exactly what to do in Rio de Janeiro this weekend, stay connected with the best parties, fairs, samba circles, exhibitions, and free events happening around the city.
👉 Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the Rio weekend guide straight to your inbox every week.
💬 And if you want real-time updates, join our WhatsApp channel for alerts about free events, registrations, and what’s trending in the Marvelous City.
Because a true Carioca never misses a good event — and we help you live the best of Rio, every weekend. 🌴✨
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