What to do in Rio de Janeiro this weekend: July 17–19

An immersive experience full of nostalgia to enjoy with the family!

The exhibition features never-before-seen scenes from the Pixar universe, allowing visitors to step into iconic settings and attractions designed to delight children and adults alike. It’s on display at BarraShopping and combines scenic and interactive elements !

Eonarium Genesis is an immersive light and music show that tells the story of creation through breathtaking projections inside one of the city’s most beautiful churches!

Sessions last 30 minutes and take place Thursday through Sunday!

The Candlelight concert brings the magic of Disney to Rio de Janeiro’s stages with an enchanting and nostalgic performance.

The audience will be able to relive the world of animation through live renditions of the most famous love songs, creating a thrilling experience.

All of this takes place in a fairy-tale atmosphere, illuminated by thousands of candles, which bring romance and memories to life through beautiful classical arrangements.

At the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Market (CADEG), the traditional Winter Festival is underway through the end of July!

There are more than 20 restaurants offering exclusive menus inspired by the World Cup, as well as live music, lectures, classic car shows, trading card exchanges, and charitable initiatives.

Through August, the Café Pequeno Jazz Festival will take place at the Café Pequeno Theater in Leblon, featuring 14 shows on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

With tickets starting at R$ 50, the lineup includes tributes, acclaimed artists, and a repertoire of jazz, bossa nova, and Brazilian music.

Currently on display at the City Historical Museum, the PRO-POLIS exhibition presents around 20 never-before-seen works by Ricardo Siri, created using honey, beeswax, and propolis!

Among the highlights are world maps made from foreign beeswax found in Brazil, paying homage both to these species and to the flows of human migration, including the artist’s own grandparents .

Across the bridge, this exhibition at MAC Niterói offers a thoughtful exploration of the relationships between contemporary art, spirituality, and place.

Featuring works by six talented resident artists from the MECA Institute, the exhibition brings together mediums such as painting, sculpture, installation, and drawing to reflect on the body, ancestry, and memory.

The theatrical production prompts a profound reflection on what time takes from us, exploring exhaustion, memory, and the marks left over the years. The play weaves together three different stories that delve into these existential and poetic themes .

Written and directed by Klever Schneider, the production invites the audience to explore their own experiences through an intense and memorable process of artistic immersion.

Based on the work of writer Clarice Lispector, the show “Palavras” features actress Tuca Moraes in an intense and intimate monologue .

The experience promises to be unique, as the actress embraces improvisation and interaction with the audience, guided as well by the director’s sound and lighting effects .

The show “Wicked, ” a smash hit with critics and audiences alike, arrives for a short and highly anticipated run at Cidade das Artes. Starring Myra Ruiz and Fabi Bang, this musical blockbuster reveals the secrets and the unlikely friendship between Elphaba and Glinda, long before Dorothy arrived in the Land of Oz.

The production impresses with its technical precision, combining an engaging narrative with state-of-the-art technology. Audiences can expect technological innovations, illusionist effects, projection mapping, and flight systems that make the theatrical experience truly magical.

For those who want to enjoy the weekend outdoors, the “A Day at the Park” event takes place on July 18 and 19.

There are more than 50 free activities at at least 25 state nature reserves, including guided hikes, birdwatching, and workshops. A highlight is the guided hike and discussion with Aretha Duarte at Tijuca National Park on the 18th.

“Choro no Alfa” is an excellent way to kick off the weekend with plenty of culture. The project brings together big names in Brazilian instrumental music, such as Daniela Spielmann and Alexandre Romanazzi, in a concert that celebrates the choro tradition.

The repertoire combines virtuosity and improvisation, presenting reinterpretations of classics from choro and MPB.

The Carioca Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Rio de Janeiro Youth Choir are joining forces for a grand tribute to one of the greatest rock bands of all time.

The concert celebrates the 80th anniversary of legendary lead singer Freddie Mercury, reviving the magic of Queen on the stage of the João Caetano Theater.

The performance promises to thrill the audience by blending iconic elements of British rock with the grandeur of classical music, reviving the innovative spirit that the band immortalized starting in the 1970s.

Arraiá da Gema takes over Quinta da Boa Vista for a June festival that blends Northeastern Brazilian tradition with the unmistakable Rio de Janeiro lifestyle. The event features plenty of music, forró, quadrilha dancing, and activities for all ages, ensuring fun for the whole family.

In addition to traditional foods, visitors can support local producers at a creative fair featuring fashion, crafts, home decor, and independent design.

The traditional carnival group “Me Enterra na Quarta” is holding its much-anticipated July festival this Saturday.

The night will be enlivened by the musical lineup from the parade itself, as well as DJs and special guests, ensuring that no one stays still.

The festival also doesn’t disappoint when it comes to treats, offering the classic food stalls with traditional fare and seasonal games.

Sweet lovers have a date set for the first Pátio NorteShopping Cake Slices Festival .

In line with a strong trend in the pastry market, the event brings together several local pastry chefs to offer the public the chance to sample a wide variety of desserts in small portions.