Events in Rio de Janeiro this weekend (April 24 to 26, 2026)

Last update: April 24, 2026

If you’re looking for events in rio de janeiro, get ready with your itinerary because the city is delivering EVERYTHING.

There’s a huge festival, free shows, raiz samba, classic fairs, and even an open-air Italian food event.

In this updated Travel and Places guide, we gathered the main events in rio de janeiro with real tips so you can enjoy the city even better.

👉 To build a complete itinerary:

• What to Do in Rio
• Itinerary in Rio de Janeiro
• Restaurant Guide in Rio de Janeiro
• Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro
• How to Use Public Transport in Rio

📊 Quick summary of events in Rio de Janeiro (April 24 to 26)

🎸 Big shows in Rio de Janeiro

The Weeknd (with Anitta)

📍 Nilton Santos Stadium (Engenhão)
📅 04/26
⏰ 9 PM
💰 From R$290

One of the biggest international shows of the year in Rio.

Marina Lima

📍 Fundição Progresso
📅 04/25
⏰ 8 PM
💰 From R$110

MPB classics in a special night at Lapa.

Supertramp Experience

📍 Qualistage
📅 04/25
⏰ 9:30 PM
💰 From R$80

Tribute for fans of classic rock.

Lvcas

📍 Circo Voador
📅 04/25
⏰ 8 PM
💰 From R$90

Show with an indie and electronic vibe.

Majur

📍 Vivo Rio
📅 04/26
⏰ 9 PM
💰 From R$45

Powerful show with soul, afrobeats and MPB.

Deva Premal & Miten

📍 Vivo Rio
📅 04/26
⏰ 7:30 PM
💰 From R$100

Meditative, sensory music experience.

🎧 Samba and nightlife

Samba do Sacramento

📍 CCBB Rio
📅 04/25
💰 Free

One of the best samba circles to enjoy in Downtown.

Sambinha do Alto

📍 Alto Vidigal
📅 Weekend

Samba with a view of the sea and a carioca vibe.

🍻 Food and fairs

Comida di Buteco 2026

📅 On display

Food itinerary through traditional bars in Rio.

Breakfast Weekend

Special menus at participating restaurants.

Fest Rio Beer

Beer festival with food and music.

Feira Carioquíssima

A fair with producers, gastronomy and fashion.

🖼️ Exhibitions and fixed culture

Yoshitaka Amano — Beyond Fantasy

📍 CCBB Rio
💰 Free

One of the most talked-about exhibitions currently on display in Rio.

Music at the Museum

Concerts in historic spaces in Downtown.

Cinemateca do MAM

Special cinema program.

🎭 Theatre and experiences

Cabaret — Absurdities and Varieties

Fanatics

Edson

Melodrama of Midnight

Is it worth going to events this weekend in Rio?

Definitely.

It’s one of the most complete weekends of the month:

• Huge event
• Free shows
• Food festival
• Raiz samba
• Cultural outing

You can build an amazing itinerary spending little.

Common mistakes

• Arriving late to Expo Rio Turismo
• Not planning transportation (Lagoa and Flamengo get packed)
• Underestimating free events
• Not bringing money/cards to the fairs

Attention: the schedule may change. Always check the official organizers before heading out.

🗺️ Map of events in Rio

Is it worth going to free events in Rio de Janeiro?

Yes. Rio has one of the richest cultural calendars in Brazil, with historic samba circles, exhibitions in important museums, and cultural fairs that show the true carioca essence.

📆 Fixed events in Rio de Janeiro

Besides the events that change every week, Rio has a fixed cultural program that happens regularly and has become part of the city’s routine.

🎶 Fixed music events

🥁 Pedra do Sal Samba Circle

📅 When: every Monday
📍 Location: Pedra do Sal – Saúde / Downtown
⏰ Time: 7 PM – 00:00
💰 Admission: free

One of the most traditional samba circles in Rio de Janeiro, held for more than 17 years at Largo João da Baiana, in the historic area known as Pequena África.

In addition to Monday, the venue usually also has live music between Friday and Sunday nights.

Learn more about the history of the area on the official site of Riotur.

🎷 Samba do Trabalhador

📅 When: every Monday
📍 Location: Renascença Clube – Andaraí
⏰ Time: from 4:30 PM
💰 Admission: paid

A traditional samba circle created by composer Moacyr Luz and considered one of the most respected in the city.

🎷 Jazz at Armazém Cardosão

📍 Location: Armazém Cardosão — Rua Cardoso Júnior, 312, Laranjeiras
📅 When: every Tuesday
⏰ Time: from 6 PM
💰 Admission: consumption on site

One of the most charming jam sessions in Rio’s South Zone, bringing together experienced musicians for improvisation nights with jazz and samba-jazz.

🥁 Independent Samba of Good Customs

📅 When: every Thursday
📍 Location: Fundição Progresso — Rua dos Arcos, 24, Lapa
⏰ Time: from 8 PM
💰 Admission: tickets on sale (prices vary by batch)

The Independent Samba of Good Customs is a samba circle that takes place weekly at the traditional Fundição Progresso in Lapa. The event brings together musicians from the carioca scene and special guests in performances that mix samba classics, original compositions and improvisations.

🍔 Fixed food events

🍺 Glória Food Fair

📅 When: every Sunday
📍 Location: Praça Paris – Glória
⏰ Time: 9 AM – 6 PM
💰 Admission: free

Food event with food trucks, artisan producers and live music.

🍺 Glória Food Fair

📅 When: every Sunday
📍 Location: Praça Paris – Glória
⏰ Time: 9 AM – 6 PM
💰 Admission: free

Food event with food trucks, artisan producers and live music.

🎭 Fixed culture and exhibitions

🎨 Exhibitions at CCBB Rio

📅 When: Wednesday to Sunday
📍 Location: Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil – Downtown

CCBB Rio is one of the most visited cultural centers in Brazil. The venue hosts international exhibitions, cinema screenings, theatre, and cultural events throughout the year.

🔗 https://ccbb.com.br/rio-de-janeiro/

🧬 Museum of Tomorrow

📅 When: Tuesday to Sunday
📍 Location: Praça Mauá – Downtown]

The Museum of Tomorrow is an interactive science museum dedicated to the future of the planet. The exhibitions address topics such as sustainability, technology and climate change.

🔗 https://museudoamanha.org.br/

🖼 Rio Art Museum (MAR)

📅 When: Wednesday to Sunday
📍 Location: Praça Mauá – Downtown

The MAR presents contemporary art exhibitions and projects that explore Brazilian history and culture.

🔗 https://museudeartedorio.org.br/

🎪 Fixed city fairs

🛍 Hippie Fair of Ipanema

📅 When: every Sunday
📍 Location: Praça General Osório – Ipanema
⏰ Time: 8 AM – 5 PM

One of the most traditional handicraft fairs in Rio de Janeiro, bringing together artists, craftsmen and local producers.

🎨 Glória Fair

📅 When: Sundays
📍 Location: Praça Paris – Glória

The fair brings together handicrafts, gastronomy and live music in one of Rio’s historic neighborhoods.

🛍 Lavradio Fair

📅 When: Every Saturday of the month
📍 Location: Rua do Lavradio – Lapa

One of the city’s best-known cultural fairs, with antique shops, handicrafts, live music and gastronomy.

🔮 Upcoming events in Rio de Janeiro (keep an eye out)

If you couldn’t catch these events or you’re already planning the next days in Rio, it’s worth keeping an eye out because the city simply doesn’t stop.

Every week, new options appear—from free events to more exclusive experiences.

📅 What usually happens in the next few weeks

• Free samba circles in Downtown and the South Zone
• Food fairs and outdoor events
• Cultural shows and festivals
• Seasonal events (like carnival outside of season, festivals and exhibitions)
• Special programs in museums and cultural centers

💡 Golden tip (this changes your itinerary)

If you’re going to stay in the city for more days, the ideal is:

• Mix events with tourist spots
• Avoid planning everything set in stone (Rio changes VERY fast)
• Check the updated schedule 1 or 2 days ahead

That puts you in “living Rio like a local” mode—not just as a tourist.

⚠️ Important

The schedule can change at any time—especially free events.

👉 Always check the official social media pages or the organizers before heading out.

🍻 Comida Di Buteco 2026

📍 Location: Various bars around Rio de Janeiro
📅 Date: April 10 to May 10, 2026

A food event that brings together some of the best traditional bars in Rio, with exclusive snacks created especially for the contest.

During the event period, attendees can visit different bars and try dishes competing for the title of the city’s best “buteco”.

👉 Ideal for those who want to:

• Eat well without spending much
• Get to know authentic carioca bars
• Make a different food itinerary
• Truly live a local experience

👉 See the full guide with bars, snacks and an itinerary

🚇 How to get to the events

Most events take place in Downtown, the South Zone, and regions that are easily reachable by public transport.

• Uber in Rio de Janeiro
• How to get from Galeão to the South Zone
• How to get from Santos Dumont to hotels

❓ FAQ – Events in Rio de Janeiro (Updated Guide 2026)

What to do in Rio de Janeiro this week?

Rio de Janeiro has an intense cultural schedule throughout the week, with free events, shows, food fairs, samba circles, exhibitions and outdoor experiences.

Highlights include:

• Cultural events in Downtown and Porto Zone
• Fairs and festivals in the South Zone
• Traditional samba circles in Lapa, Méier and Pedra do Sal

👉 To see the full updated schedule:
https://viagenselugaress.com/o-que-fazer-no-rio-de-janeiro/

Where can I find free events in Rio de Janeiro?

Free events in Rio de Janeiro mainly happen in areas with strong cultural life and easy access:

• Downtown and Lapa → samba circles, historic and cultural events
• Porto Zone → exhibitions and outdoor events
• South Zone (Glória, Flamengo, Ipanema) → fairs, gastronomy and urban events

Places like the CCBB Rio, Museum of Tomorrow and public squares concentrate much of the free schedule.

Does Rio de Janeiro have events every weekend?

Yes—Rio de Janeiro has events practically every weekend of the year.

The city keeps a steady schedule with:

• Cultural festivals
• Live shows
• Traditional fairs
• Food events
• Free programming in public spaces

In addition, there are weekly fixed events like samba circles, fairs and cultural meetups that happen all year long.

What are the best events in Rio de Janeiro today?

The best events in Rio de Janeiro today vary by date, but usually include:

• Traditional samba circles (Pedra do Sal, Lapa, North Zone)
• Food and cultural fairs
• Exhibitions in museums and cultural centers
• Shows and free outdoor events

💡 Tip: the most popular events usually sell out, so it’s worth arriving early.

Is it worth going to free events in Rio de Janeiro?

Yes—it’s absolutely worth it.

Rio de Janeiro has one of the best free cultural calendars in Brazil, with authentic experiences such as:

• Raiz samba
• Cultural festivals
• Traditional fairs
• International-level exhibitions

Besides saving money, you experience the city in a more local and real way.

Where to see samba in Rio de Janeiro?

You can find samba in Rio almost every day of the week, especially in:

• Pedra do Sal (Monday)
• Lapa (several circles during the week)
• Méier and North Zone (raiz samba)
• Events and cultural fairs

👉 Also see:
https://viagenselugaress.com/botecos-tradicionais-do-rio-de-janeiro/

Which is the best neighborhood to enjoy events in Rio?

The most recommended neighborhoods for events in Rio de Janeiro are:

• North Zone → authentic events and less tourism
• Downtown and Lapa → highest concentration of culture
• Glória and Flamengo → outdoor events
• Ipanema and Copacabana → fairs and tourist experiences

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