November 20 is an important date in the calendar, as it is Black Awareness Day and marks the death of quilombola leader Zumbi dos Palmares.
Until 2023, it was recognized as a holiday in only a few Brazilian states. However, as of 2024, it became a national holiday. So, check out some of the celebrations taking place in Rio de Janeiro on this day – and throughout the week!
AfroBaile + YOLO + Africanize Party + Everyday People
After passing through Salvador and São Paulo, the tour that brings together four of the most influential platforms in Brazil and the world arrives in Rio de Janeiro to end the season on Black Awareness Day.
More than just parties, the editions of YOLO (Rio de Janeiro), AfroBaile (Salvador), Africanize (Brazil and Nigeria) and Everyday People (New York) propose an exchange of experiences and aesthetics that build the present and future of black music.
Thus, in Rio, the line-up brings together O Kanalha, Rom Santana, Afrocidade, Tamy, Wil Ow, U Miranda, Jimmy Jay and Everyday People DJs, as well as special guests and local collectives.
📌G.R.E.S. São Clemente | Avenida Presidente Vargas, 3102 – Cidade Nova
📅 20/11 | from 4pm
💵From R$ 60,
Impossible Show
The Confraria do Impossível will turn 15 in 2025 and, this Black Awareness Month, it is celebrating this long trajectory with a special edition of “Mostra do Impossível”.
The program includes popular shows, four performances, a group exhibition, a workshop and the launch of the Confraria’s new website.
📌Terreiro Contemporâneo | Rua Carlos de Carvalho, 53 – Centro
📅 20 to 22/11 and 29/11
💵Free (shows cost R$10)
Severine Death and Life
This holiday, take the opportunity to see the award-winning show “Morte e Vida Severina”, which will have just two more performances in the city before heading to São Paulo.
Inspired by João Cabral de Melo Neto’s masterpiece, the show brings to the stage the voice of the Severine children of so many Marias.
📌Teatro Vianinha | Armazém da Utopia (in front of the Utopia Aquário Tram)
📅19 and 20/11 | at 8pm
💵From R$ 30,
Dida’s Samba
On November 20th, MUHCAB is hosting Samba da Dida, its traditional samba circle, celebrating the richness and joy of Afro-Brazilian music.
The event brings together musicians, percussionists and samba lovers for an afternoon of singing, dancing and community connection. With a repertoire that mixes classics and authorial compositions, the roda offers an immersion in the tradition of Rio’s samba!
📌MUHCAB | Rua Pedro Ernesto, 80 – Gamboa
📅 20/11 | from 12pm
💵Free
Literary Festival of the Peripheries – Flup
The Literary Festival of the Peripheries, better known as Flup, is a great way to enjoy the holiday in Rio!
With the theme “Ideas for Reenchanting the World: Writings, Dreams and Beats”, the event celebrates the legacy of the Caribbean in the African diaspora, with a tribute to the author Conceição Evaristo and several free attractions!
📌Rua Carvalho de Souza, 211 – Madureira
📅 19 to 23/11 and 27 to 30/11
💵Free
Cervejeresa
This holiday, the charming neighborhood of Santa Teresa is hosting a beer festival, promoted by the Santa Teresa Gastronomic, Tourist and Cultural Pole Association (AmeSanta).
There, bars and restaurants will host guest breweries and prepare pairing suggestions with dishes created for the event. Other free attractions will include chats with sommeliers in Glória Maria Park, a beer tour with experts and music with DJs from Santa Teresa!
📌Santa Teresa
📅 20 to 23/11 | from 4pm
💵Free entry
Samba da Sede – special edition
On Black Awareness Day, there will be Samba da Sede with guests such as João Cavalcanti, one of the great names in contemporary samba, and singer-songwriter Marquinhos Diniz .
But this will be a special edition of the “Entre Copos e Consciência” training cycle . Amid the rhythms of samba, there will be a performance by the artist Egili Oliveira, who will give a scenic-bodily experience, bringing her “Samba do Coração” methodology, which unites spirituality, expression and ancestry through dance.
📌Al Farabi Bar e Sebo | Rua do Mercado, 34 – Entrance from Boulevard Olímpico
📅 20/11 | from 2pm
💵Free entry
Negro é Lindo Festival
On this November 20 holiday, Circo Voador will host the Negro é Lindo festival, with a super diverse and totally free program !
There will be capoeira, an exhibition, a samba circle, a parade, concerts and various attractions to celebrate the multiple languages of black culture in Brazil.
📌Circo Voador | Rua dos Arcos, s/n – Lapa
📅 20/11 | from 3pm
💵Free entry