September · Music · Ticket required
The 2026 edition ended after seven days at Cidade do Rock. Rock in Rio announced its return in 2028; the dates have not yet been announced.
Carnival, New Year's Eve, festivals and concerts that transform the city. Dates, tickets, transport, history and practical advice to avoid improvising.
Accommodation and tickets sell out, prices rise, and traffic and transport change. Always check the update date and official source.
September · Music · Ticket required
The 2026 edition ended after seven days at Cidade do Rock. Rock in Rio announced its return in 2028; the dates have not yet been announced.
February · Carnival · Free
Sambódromo, street parades, rehearsals and popular culture: Carnival begins long before the official holiday.
December · Celebration · Free
Copacabana dresses in white for one of the world's biggest New Year's celebrations: tradition, music, fireworks, special security arrangements and millions of people facing the Atlantic.
May · Music · Free
A free international mega concert that turns Copacabana into one of the world's largest stages.
May · Sports · Ticket required
Races and distances for different abilities, featuring some of Rio's most famous scenery.
February · Sports · Ticket required
South America's leading tennis tournament combines international matches and evening atmosphere in Gávea.
December · Christmas · Free
Giant trees, lights, shows, Santa, caravans and family activities: a guide to Rio's Christmas side.
Here, we distinguish fixed dates, confirmed 2027 events and references from the previous year. If 2027 has not been announced, we say so clearly.
20 January · Tijuca → Catedral Metropolitana
The feast of Rio’s patron saint combines masses, a procession and a city remembering its identity. In 2026, the procession left Basílica dos Capuchinhos in Tijuca for the Cathedral.
2 February · Arpoador and other locations
Afro-Brazilian celebrations, music, rituals, flowers and cultural activities beside the sea. In 2026, Arpoador hosted a free programme from 10 am to 10 pm with 21 religious and artistic attractions.
13–21 February 2027 · Jockey Club Brasileiro · Gávea
Rio’s ATP 500 returns with expanded facilities at the Jockey Club. The 2027 edition has qualifying on the 13th and 14th and the main draw from the 15th.
1 March · Programme across the city
Rio celebrates the city’s foundation with cultural activities, ceremonies and special initiatives. The programme changes completely each year.
19 April · Museums and cultural centres · varies
It is not a single festival. It is a national date when museums, institutions and organisations may offer programmes on Indigenous peoples’ cultures, rights and contemporary lives.
23 April · Quintino and celebrations around Rio
One of Rio’s strongest days of faith: masses from the early hours, processions, samba, feijoada gatherings and cultural encounters. Saint George is also linked syncretically with Ogum in Afro-Brazilian traditions.
27–30 May 2027 · Waterfront and city routes
Running festival with 5K, 10K, 21K, 42K and a challenge. In 2027 it celebrates a special 25-year edition.
June and July · Neighbourhoods, clubs, churches and cultural venues
Celebrations with quadrilha dances, forró, traditional food, games, bunting and an atmosphere completely different from Carnival. There is no single Rio Festa Junina: there are dozens.
2027 date not published · Rio das Ostras · Costa do Sol
A large free outdoor festival with several stages and a jazz and blues programme. It makes a worthwhile getaway from Rio if you love music.
2027 date not published · Itaúna · Saquarema
Saquarema becomes Brazil’s surfing capital when the international tour arrives. Itaúna beach offers elite competition and an entire town in event mode.
Around 29 June · Fishing communities · varying programme
Processions, blessings and celebrations associated with Saint Peter, patron of fishermen. Rio has local celebrations and cultural projects linked to fishing communities; we will not publish a single maritime route until the official programme is confirmed.
2027 date not published · Paraty
One of the country’s most important literary festivals fills Paraty’s historic centre with authors, discussions, publishers, children’s activities and a parallel programme.
2027 date not published · Jockey Club Brasileiro · Gávea
Restaurants, chefs, classes, experiences, tastings and music over several weekends.
2027 date not published · Marina da Glória
One of Latin America’s leading art fairs, with galleries, curatorial programmes, video art, conversations and a privileged view of the bay.
2027 date not published · Cinemas and cultural venues
For several days, film takes over cinemas in different neighbourhoods with premieres, Première Brasil, classics, discussions and international productions.
October · 2027 dates pending · Basílica Santuário Nossa Senhora da Penha · North Zone
One of the North Zone’s most traditional religious celebrations, with masses, processions and activities around the famous church and its staircase.
2027 date not published · Píer Mauá
A festival dedicated to beer, food, music and experiences from brands and producers.
2027 date not published · Copacabana
A large march and celebration on Copacabana’s waterfront, with music, demands for rights, visibility and culture.
2027 edition confirmed · final dates to be checked · Riocentro
The Bienal returns in 2027 with a Book Park concept and new immersive experiences, in the year Rio celebrates its cycle as UNESCO World Book Capital.
January and the first weeks of February · Waterfront, parks, squares and samba schools
Summer is a whole season of busy beaches, samba gatherings, school rehearsals, sports, markets and outdoor culture. It also brings intense heat and short late-afternoon rain showers.
February 5–13, 2027 · Sambódromo + streets across the city
It is more than one event: Série Ouro, Grupo Especial, Champions' Parade, street parades, rehearsals and an entire city changing its rhythm. Grupo Especial parades on February 7, 8 and 9, 2027.
Holy Week · Easter on March 28, 2027 · Historic churches, downtown and neighborhoods
Processions, religious celebrations, concerts and special hours at attractions and shops. This matters to visitors because the holiday changes transport and opening hours.
May 27, 2027 · Churches and communities · program varies
The holiday may bring processions, celebrations and traditional decorative carpets in different communities, as well as changes to service and attraction hours.
August · 2027 date pending · Píer Mauá · reference from recent editions
Large stages, conferences, startups, technology, business, culture and experiences fill the Port Zone for several days.
September and October · Jardim Botânico, parks, waterfront and cultural venues
Pleasant temperatures make September and October an excellent time for gardens, hikes, beaches and cultural events before summer's intense heat.
November 20 · Pequena África, MUHCAB, Cais do Valongo and other venues
An essential date for understanding Rio: museums, cultural centers and organizations often hold activities on memory, Afro-Brazilian culture, samba, heritage and rights.
December · Across the city
Giant trees, lighting, concerts, fairs, Santa Claus and family experiences. See the full special guide in this section.
31 December · Copacabana
Copacabana’s big night has its own guide covering safety, transport, history and our spot with chairs at Posto 4.
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