Unidos de Vila Maria brings drums, singers and Carnival energy to the Mercadão market on four dates in February 2026 — free entry for everyone.
Samba meets street food in downtown São Paulo
The Mercado Municipal Paulistano — popularly known as Mercadão — is once again hosting one of the city’s most beloved cultural traditions. Unidos de Vila Maria samba school will perform on February 20, 21, 27 and 28, 2026, starting at 11 a.m. each day. The narrow corridors of the historic market become a parade route, with the percussion section, lead singers and dancers filing past stalls piled high with spices, cheese and mortadella.
The event is organized by Mercado SP, the company that manages the market, and has grown into a signature post-Carnival celebration in São Paulo. Shoppers, tourists and vendors stop in their tracks as the bateria fills the hall with sound — an experience that blends street food culture with the raw excitement of the sambadrome.
A school with over seven decades of history
Founded in 1954, Unidos de Vila Maria is one of São Paulo’s most storied samba schools. Rooted in the city’s north zone, the school has earned a reputation for disciplined organization, community spirit and an unwavering passion for samba — keeping the Carnival flame burning year-round, not just during the official festivities.
Performing inside the Mercadão adds a layer of spectacle that even seasoned São Paulo residents find hard to resist. The contrast between the century-old iron architecture, the aromas of traditional Brazilian food and the thundering drums creates a sensory experience unlike any other in the city.
Culture for everyone
The initiative underscores the Mercadão’s commitment to making São Paulo’s cultural heritage accessible and free. Aldo Bonametti, CEO of Mercado SP, summed up the spirit of the partnership:
More than a parade, the presence of Unidos de Vila Maria at the Mercadão represents the meeting of two great passions of São Paulo: samba and gastronomy. A partnership that spans the years, turns the traditional post-Carnival celebration into a spectacle and continues to enchant the public that walks through the market’s corridors. Aldo Bonametti, CEO of Mercado SP
Event Details
Event: Unidos de Vila Maria at Mercadão — Post-Carnival 2026
Dates: February 20, 21, 27 and 28, 2026
Time: From 11 a.m.
Venue: Mercado Municipal Paulistano (Mercadão) — Rua da Cantareira, 306, downtown São Paulo
Admission: Free
Photo: Press Release
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