Copacabana hosts the Rio Capital do Carnaval Fan Fest with free shows by Xande de Pilares, Iza, Alcione and Gloria Groove this weekend.
The Rio Capital do Carnaval Fan Fest is back on Copacabana Beach with live music meet-ups, Carnival workshops, and samba circles. The weekend program runs from Friday (6) through Sunday (8), with free admission and daytime activities.
What’s on this weekend
On Friday (6), gates open at 5pm. The crowd can join a “samba no pé” class led by Alex Coutinho, head of the Paraíso do Tuiuti passistas wing. The schedule also includes workshops on floats and choreographed wings. The Terreiro de Mangueira samba circle sets the vibe, and Unidos do Viradouro closes the night.
Saturday (7) starts earlier, with gates opening at 2pm and a lineup built around major collaborations. At night, Xande de Pilares welcomes Iza for a joint set on the sand. Later, Alcione takes the SESC RJ Stage. Then Gloria Groove performs and brings special guests Tia Surica and Portela’s Velha Guarda.
On Sunday (8), from 2pm, three samba schools arrive to keep the party moving: Salgueiro, Mocidade and Vila Isabel, plus a set by the Samba Que Elas Querem samba circle.
The official samba fan fest
Rio Capital do Carnaval presents the Official Samba Fan Fest, with master sponsorship by Enel and Superbet, Brahma as the official beer, SESC RJ as institutional partner, and 99Food as official delivery. Support comes from Marriott Bonvoy, Dr. Consulta and CeraVe, with creation and production by SRCOM and presented by LIESA. The project names the State Government and Rio City Hall as state and city hosts, respectively.
Service
Carnaval Fan Fest 2026
This weekend hours: Feb 6, 5pm–10pm; Feb 7, 2pm–12am; Feb 8, 2pm–10pm
What: Rio Capital do Carnaval Fan Fest – a month of shows, classes and immersive experiences
Where: Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro
When: Jan 20 to Feb 21, 2026
Price: free
How to join: entry requires prior facial registration in the Rio Carnaval app
More info: @riocapitaldocarnaval on Instagram
Photo: Press handout
