Baco Exu do Blues, Ailton Krenak and Father Júlio Lancellotti headline a free one-day festival on masculinity in Rio de Janeiro on May 29.
The Festival Masculinidades will take place on May 29, 2026, at two of Brazil’s most iconic cultural venues: the Museum of Art of Rio (MAR) and the Museum of Tomorrow. Free and open to all ages, the event offers a full day of performances, panel discussions and workshops exploring how new visions of masculinity can shape safer, more equitable futures.
A festival within a global summit
The festival is part of the inaugural MenCare Changemaker Summit, taking place in Rio from May 27–30, 2026. It is co-presented by Equimundo: Center for Masculinities and Social Justice and WOW – Women of the World, led by Gary Barker, CEO and founder of Equimundo, and Jude Kelly, founder and director of WOW, in partnership with Instituto PapodeHomem and Instituto Mapear.
On May 27 and 28, 100 leaders from business, media, culture, civil society and government across six continents gather for a closed two-day workshop. On May 30, the summit closes with a Thought Leaders Forum. The Festival Masculinidades on May 29 is the only open-to-the-public day of the entire event.
A standout lineup
The program brings together leading voices from Brazilian and international culture, activism and academia. Confirmed participants include singer-songwriter Baco Exu do Blues; artist and host Rita Von Hunty; indigenous writer and climate activist Ailton Krenak; and priest and educator Father Júlio Lancellotti, known for his advocacy for the homeless and marginalized.
The lineup also features writer and activist Raull Santiago, the first transgender woman to serve in the Brazilian Navy Bruna Benevides, Queer Eye host Luca Scarpelli, and acclaimed British musician and actor Jordan Stephens. More names will be announced in the coming weeks.
Rio flavor throughout the day
Beyond the auditoriums, the festival spills into open courtyards with activities rooted in Rio’s vibrant street culture. Outdoor programming includes capoeira circles, percussion workshops, passinho masterclasses, slam poetry and an altinha championship.
Visitors can also join a guided walking tour through Pequena África (Little Africa), explore a Hair Care Space celebrating everyday fatherhood or attend identity and belonging workshops led by artist Juca Fiis. Dedicated sessions for youth and schools are also on the agenda.
Closing show
The day closes with a free outdoor concert by a yet-to-be-announced headline act, followed by performances from award-winning artists, DJs and musicians. The name will be revealed by the organizers in the coming weeks.
Why this festival matters now
The event takes place in a year marked by the launch of Brazil’s National Pact Against Femicide and an urgent public campaign to combat gender-based violence. For Gary Barker, the festival represents a concrete path forward.
We see caring masculinity not as an abstract ideal, but as a political, practical and powerful response to these challenges, offering a meaningful way to engage men in combating violence against women and recognizing them as caregivers, both within families and in their communities.
Jude Kelly, Founding Director of WOW, adds:
We want people of all genders and ages to join us for an unforgettable day of conversation, sharing and learning. Like all WOW festivals, we’ll tackle serious and urgent topics — but we’ll also have joy, fun and a sense of community.
The summit is funded by the Caring Masculinity Fund, established through a selection made by Melinda French Gates in May 2024, with additional support from the Gates Foundation, Minderoo Foundation, Procter & Gamble, the Rise Together Fund and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Weo809jGfao&t=2s
Event Info
- Event: Festival Masculinidades
- Date: May 29, 2026 (Friday)
- Venues: Museum of Art of Rio (MAR) and Museum of Tomorrow, Rio de Janeiro
- Admission: Free
- Tickets: https://www.sympla.com.br/evento/festival-masculinidades/3289166
- More info: https://changemakers.equimundo.org/mencare-changemaker-summit-2026-rio/
