🎉 Free Events in Rio de Janeiro & Niterói: Complete Guide for February 6, 7 & 8, 2026
Samba, pagode, street carnival, Afro-Brazilian culture, fairs and exhibitions — all free or pay-what-you-want
If you’re looking for free things to do in Rio de Janeiro and Niterói this weekend, you’re in the right place.
The first weekend of February 2026 brings an intense, diverse and accessible cultural agenda, featuring completely free events, pay-what-you-want activities, and free entry until a certain time.
This guide gathers the top events happening on February 6, 7 and 8, 2026, including times, locations, neighborhoods, insider tips and free-entry policies — all carefully organized to help you plan the perfect weekend in Rio.
📍 Where the events take place
The events are spread across several areas of Rio de Janeiro and Niterói, with highlights in Downtown (Centro), North Zone, South Zone, and traditional cultural districts.
👉 To better understand neighborhoods, transportation and how to get around the city, check out:
Complete Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide
🔗 Suggested internal link (English):/en/rio-de-janeiro-travel-guide
📊 Free & Pay-What-You-Want Events – Full Table
Important tip: many events offer free entry only until a specific time. Arriving early makes all the difference.
| Event Name | Description | Tip | Venue | Address | Average Price | Time | Date | Neighborhood | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samba do JB | Sambotica & Me Encontra Lá | Samba circle with a pre-carnival vibe | Arrive before 10:30 PM to get free entry | Clube dos Macacos | Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro – RJ | Free until 10:30 PM | 9:30 PM → 4:00 AM | Feb 6–7, 2026 | Jardim Botânico | Samba / Music |
| If This Street Were Pop | Street pre-carnival party with samba and pop music | Wear a costume and arrive early | Beco da Cultura | Rua do Mercado, 39 | Free | 6:00 PM → 2:00 AM | Feb 7, 2026 | Downtown | Carnival / Street |
| Cozinha Arrumada at Samba do Corcovado | Open-air samba with DJs and guest artists | Get online ticket to avoid lines | Espaço Corcovado | Rua Conselheiro Lampreia, 169 | Free (optional contribution) | 5:00 PM → 2:00 AM | Feb 7, 2026 | Cosme Velho | Samba |
| Samba do Xoxó at Terraço da Vila | Samba with a scenic view and relaxed vibe | Free entry until 7:00 PM | Terraço da Vila | Rua Barão de São Francisco, 236 | Free until 7:00 PM | 4:00 PM → 10:00 PM | Feb 7, 2026 | Vila Isabel | Samba |
| A Gira at MUHCAB | Capoeira circle and Afro-Brazilian music | Arrive early, limited capacity | MUHCAB | Rua Pedro Ernesto, 80 | Free (courtesy tickets) | 5:00 PM → 11:00 PM | Feb 7, 2026 | Gamboa | Afro-Brazilian Culture / Capoeira |
| Ainda Bem Que É Pagode | Pagode concert with guest performers | Free entry until midnight | Marina Rio Lounge | Rua Jardel Jércolis, 50 | Free until 12:00 AM | 10:00 PM → 5:00 AM | Feb 6–7, 2026 | Glória | Pagode |
| Pagode do Palitto | Traditional pagode party | Free VIP entry until 8:00 PM | Batuq Niterói | Casa Batuq, Niterói – RJ | Free until 8:00 PM | 5:00 PM → 1:00 AM | Feb 7–8, 2026 | Niterói | Pagode |
| Sapagode Street Carnival | Street pagode party focused on the LGBTQ+ community | Present Sympla courtesy ticket | Wells Beer | Rua do Ouvidor, 60 | Free (pay-what-you-want) | 7:00 PM → 3:00 AM | Feb 6–7, 2026 | Downtown | Carnival / Pagode |
| Batucae at Antonella | Pagode live show | Free entry until 9:00 PM | Antonella Bar & Lounge | Rio de Janeiro – RJ | Free until 9:00 PM | 6:00 PM → 4:00 AM | Feb 7–8, 2026 | Downtown | Pagode |
| Samba Mulata invites Nosso Samba & Novo Visual | Samba circle with guest groups | Check door policy | Batuq Niterói | Casa Batuq, Niterói – RJ | Free | 5:00 PM → 1:00 AM | Feb 8–9, 2026 | Niterói | Samba |
| Naranda Carnival – Samba do Chapéu | Open-air carnival samba | Free event and free parking | Varanda Planetário | Av. Padre Leonel Franca, 240 | Free | From 3:00 PM | Feb 7, 2026 | Gávea | Samba / Carnival |
| Barbecue, Samba & Beer – Pedra do Sal | Traditional samba circle | Arrive early, very popular | Palma do Banjo | Rua Coronel Serrado, 202 | Free | 12:00 PM | Feb 7, 2026 | São Gonçalo | Samba |
| Batikum Ilú Odara Afro Block Rehearsal | Open rehearsal of Afro carnival block | Free and open to all | Arena Dicró | Penha Circular – RJ | Free | 12:00 PM | Feb 7, 2026 | Penha | Afro Block |
| Samba do Leite Social Project | Samba with a social cause | Bring 1kg of non-perishable food | Centro Cultural Profa. Dyla Sylvia | Praça Seca – RJ | Free (food donation) | 11:00 AM | Feb 8, 2026 | Praça Seca | Samba / Social |
| Rastro de Cobra :: Carna Brasilis | Carnival-themed Brazilian music show | Free entry until 10:00 PM | Passeio Público | Lapa – RJ | Free until 10:00 PM | 8:00 PM → 3:30 AM | Feb 7–8, 2026 | Lapa | Carnival / Music |
| Pode Ser Pagode | Downtown pagode party with multiple bands | Arrive before 9:00 PM | Base do Samba | Rua Joaquim Palhares, 497 | Free until 9:00 PM | 7:00 PM → 3:00 AM | Feb 6–7, 2026 | Downtown | Pagode |
| Bloco 442 Pre-Carnival Rehearsal | Carnival block rehearsal | Pay-what-you-want entry | Espaço Luiz Gama | Rua da Constituição, 54 | Free | 8:00 PM → 4:00 AM | Feb 6–7, 2026 | Downtown | Carnival / Block |
| VIVA Mauricio Exhibition | Immersive exhibition by Mauricio de Sousa | Family-friendly | CCBB RJ | Rua Primeiro de Março, 66 | Free | 10:00 AM–7:00 PM | Jan 16–18, 2026 | Downtown | Exhibition |
| Lavradio Street Fair | Antiques and vintage fair | Traditional Saturday fair | Rua do Lavradio | Lapa – RJ | Free | 10:00 AM–7:00 PM | Jan 24, 2026 | Lapa | Fair |
| Praça XV Handicraft Fair | Local art and crafts fair | Arrive early | Praça XV | Praça XV de Novembro, s/n | Free | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM | Jan 17, 2026 | Downtown | Fair |
🗺️ Events Map
Use the map below to plan your routes and build an efficient weekend itinerary in Rio.
🎶 Weekend Highlights
🔥 Pre-Carnival & Street Samba
Samba circles, carnival block rehearsals and collaborative street parties highlight the strength of Rio’s alternative and accessible pre-carnival scene.
👉 To understand the full Carnival context, see:
Rio Carnival 2026 – Complete Guide
🔗 Suggested internal link (English):/en/rio-carnival-2026-guide
🥁 Afro-Brazilian Culture & Resistance
Events at cultural institutions like MUHCAB and Afro block rehearsals reinforce the importance of Afro-Brazilian heritage in Rio’s cultural calendar.
🎤 Niterói in the Spotlight
Niterói continues to stand out as a strong hub for samba and pagode, offering free events in traditional venues and cultural spaces just across the bay from Rio.
⚠️ Important Information
Event schedules may change or be canceled. Always check the official social media pages of the organizers before heading out.
❤️ Experience the Real Rio
Rio de Janeiro is always alive — filled with music, culture, beaches and community-driven events, many of them completely free.
👉 Subscribe to the Viagens e Lugares newsletter (English Edition)
🔗 /en/newsletter
👉 Join our WhatsApp Channel for real-time updates
🔗 /en/whatsapp-channel
Come experience Rio with an open heart, good vibes and the rhythm of samba in your feet. 🌴🥁💃
About The Author
