Welcome to the Next Stop: Brazil Blog

Each year, the result of the Carnaval do Rio de Janeiro is decided inside the Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí , where the city’s top samba schools compete for the championship title. The Sambadrome, inaugurated in 1984 and designed by Oscar Niemeyer , is a purpose built parade avenue measuring approximately 700 metres in length and holding around 72,000 spectators during the main parade nights. The competition features schools from the Grupo Especial, the highest division of Ri

Brazilian Carnival is one of the world’s most vibrant, chaotic, and colourful festivals, known for its energetic street parties ( blocos ), samba parades, and extravagant costumes. One lesser known, but important, part of Carnival fashion is the abadá . If you're planning to attend a Camarote , a closed bloco, or other private events, you'll need to understand what an abadá is and how you can (and can't) customise it. What is an Abadá? An abadá  is a brightly coloured branded

Shakira is set bring her iconic "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour" to the sands of Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on 2 May 2026, for a spectacular free concert. This show is part of the "Todo Mundo no Rio" initiative, aimed at boosting the local economy. Madonna performed at first edition of the event in 2024, which attracted 1.6 million people. Lady Gaga brought her iconic show "Mayhem on the Beach" for the program's second edition in 2025, attracting 2.1 million peop

In 2025, Lady Gaga brought her iconic Mayhem world tour to the sands of Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro , for a spectacular free concert called "Mayhem on the Beach". The year before, in 2024, Madonna performed attracting 1.6 million people. These shows were part of the "Todo Mundo no Rio" initiative, aimed at boosting the local economy. In 2026, the show is set to return, but the performer is yet to be announced. Here's everything we know so far about the upcoming 2026 fr

Carnival in Brazil is a national celebration that brings music, costumes and community events into cities across the country. While many events cater to an adult audience, Carnival also includes many activities created specifically for families and children. Children are drawn to Carnival for the vibrant costumes, glitter, face paint, dancing and lively music. Dressing up, joining in small parades, and dancing to the rhythms of drums are experiences that captivate young audi

If you're planning to attend Salvador Carnival in 2026, you may be deciding the best way to celebrate. The main Carnival festivities in Salvador take place at blocos (street parties) and parades. In Salvador, Carnival is a city-wide street party with music trucks called trios elétricos  leading the way. Aside from following the trios in the pipoca  (the crowd following behind the truck), camarotes  offer a more private, organised, and safe way to watch the parades. Camarote

Carnival in Brazil is one of the country’s largest and most iconic festivals. It takes place annually in the days leading up to Lent and combines music, dance, samba school parades at the Sambadrome , and street parties, called blocos . The most famous celebrations are held in the cities of Rio de Janeiro , Salvador , Recife and Olinda , however there are Carnival events held across the country. The festival attracts millions of locals as well as international travellers look

Brazil is a country known for it's parties and festivals - and their elaborate New Year's Eve celebration is no exception. New Year’s Eve, or "Réveillon," is one of the most widely celebrated events in the Brazil. Its blend of indigenous, African, and European new year traditions has given rise to a unique event combining religious practices with the modern NYE experience, including a huge fireworks display on Copacabana Beach. This post will explore how Brazilians celebrate

The Pororoca Onda is a large tidal bore in Brazil that forms when Atlantic Ocean tides enter the mouth of the Amazon River system and moves inland. The name Pororoca, meaning "big noise" in the indigenous Tupi language, refers to the sound made by the incoming water. The wave can reach heights of about four metres in some sections and can travel for hundreds of kilometres along the river and its tributaries, making the Pororoca the longest wave in the world. This bore creates

Brazilians love a reason to celebrate, and Christmas is no different. The Christmas season in Brazil is full of colour an music, celebrated during the country’s summer, full of colour, music, and family traditions. Unlike in countries where Christmas is associated with snow, Brazilians enjoy sunny days at the beach or park alongside some European traditions like Christmas Eve dinner. The holiday season in Brazil blends Catholic and European traditions, with its own local twis

Rock in Rio  is back in Rio de Janeiro for its 11th unforgettable edition in September 2026. Running roughly every second year, this festival is a cornerstone of Brazil's live music scene. The 2026 edition promises even more excitement, world-class artists, improved infrastructure, and an immersive cultural experience. The first tickets for Rock in Rio 2026 went on sale on the 9th of December 2025. The next round will go on sale in March 2026, exclusively on the official tic

If you're planning to attend Rio Carnival in 2026, you may be deciding the best way to celebrate. Aside from attending blocos (street parties), the Sambadrome is an important part of the Carnival celebration. Carnival brings Rio de Janeiro 's top samba schools to compete at the Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí . The Sambadrome is a purpose built parade venue with grandstands on both sides and a set parade length of about seven hundred metres. Every school enters at one end, cr

Web Summit Rio will be held in June 2026 at Riocentro in Rio de Janeiro . The event will bring together more than 30,000 participants, including entrepreneurs, investors, media representatives and international leaders. It is part of the global Web Summit series, which also includes Web Summit Lisbon, Web Summit Qatar in Doha, Web Summit Vancouver in Canada and RISE in Asia. Described by Globo  as “the world’s largest technology event”, Web Summit Rio is where the global tech

Morro de Sao Paulo , located on Tinharé Island in Bahia , Brazil, has a nightlife scene that combines local culture with live music and open-air venues. The island’s main party spots are concentrated around the village centre and the beaches. The nightlife in Morro de Sao Paulo operates on a rotating schedule that allows visitors to find parties on most nights. Bamboo Jam runs on Tuesdays, Mamas holds its main event on Saturdays, and Toca do Morcego is busiest on Fridays. Cla

Círio de Nazaré (The Taper of Our Lady of Nazareth), is a Roman Catholic religious event held annually in Belém , the capital of the state of Pará in northern Brazil. It honours Nossa Senhora de Nazaré (Our Lady of Nazareth), who is one of the most revered Marian figures in the country. The event takes place on the second Sunday in October and is considered one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, attracting around two million participants each year. Planning to

Rio Innovation Week, held annually since 2021 in Rio de Janeiro , is set to be the largest global conference on technology and...

The Festa do Peao de Barretos , Latin America's largest and most iconic rodeo festival, is set to celebrate its 70th edition from 21-31...

The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) will take place from 10 to 21 November 2025 in Belem, in the state of Pará ,...

Global pop icon Dua Lipa  is officially bringing her Radical Optimism Tour  to Brazil in November 2025, as part of the highly anticipated...

The Town by Rock in Rio  is back in Sao Paulo for its second unforgettable edition. Organised by the creators of Rock in Rio , this...