By The Rio Times | Created at 2026-09-01 13:59:36 | Updated at 2026-09-05 02:20:46
3 days ago
Festivals: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Key Facts
- Dates. September 4–6 and 10–13, 2026 — seven festival days across two weekends at the Cidade do Rock, Rio de Janeiro.
- Headliners. Elton John (his last-ever show in Brazil), Gilberto Gil, Stray Kids, Maroon 5, Demi Lovato and Jamiroquai lead the bill.
- Edition. The 11th Rock in Rio, keeping the festival’s biennial rhythm after the 40th-anniversary edition in 2024.
- Tickets. Rock in Rio Cards were listed at R$795 full price, R$397.50 half-price and R$675.75 for Itaú clients, with early waves sold out — check official channels for remaining days and verified resale.
- Sponsors. Itaú, Heineken, Coca-Cola and iFood anchor a broad partner portfolio.
Rock in Rio 2026 opens this Friday, September 4, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: seven days of music at the Cidade do Rock through September 13, headlined by Elton John’s final Brazilian performance, Gilberto Gil, Stray Kids, Maroon 5, Demi Lovato and Jamiroquai.
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For expats in Brazil — and anyone flying in — this is the anchor event of the southern spring: the 11th edition of the world’s most famous Brazilian festival, back on its traditional two-year cycle.
Rock in Rio 2026: The Lineup at a Glance
Seven nights across two September weekends bring one of the festival’s most generation-spanning bills: Elton John’s farewell to Brazilian stages, a historic set by Gilberto Gil, K-pop headliners Stray Kids, and pop anchors Maroon 5 and Demi Lovato — with Jamiroquai adding a second Rio date to his South American run.
The mix — rock royalty, Brazilian legends, K-pop and chart pop — is classic Rock in Rio: a festival built to fill seven days without repeating itself.
Elton John’s Last Dance With Brazil
The emotional peak of the 2026 edition is Elton John’s final performance in Brazil, closing a relationship with the country that stretches back decades of sold-out tours.
Expect the Cidade do Rock’s biggest crowd of the fortnight — and the festival’s most sought-after ticket.
What Expats Should Know Before Going
The Cidade do Rock sits in Barra da Tijuca, west of Rio’s South Zone; official BRT buses and event shuttles are the standard way in, and rideshare prices spike after headliner sets.
September in Rio is early spring: warm afternoons, cooler nights — bring sun protection for the afternoon gates and a light layer for after midnight.
If You Don’t Have a Ticket Yet
Early sales waves sold out quickly; follow official festival channels for remaining inventory and use only the festival’s verified resale partners — Rock in Rio is Brazil’s most counterfeited ticket.
Alternative: Rio’s live-music calendar around the festival is packed with official side events and sponsor activations across the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Rock in Rio 2026?
Rock in Rio 2026 runs September 4–6 and 10–13 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — seven days across two weekends.
Who is headlining Rock in Rio 2026?
Elton John (his final Brazilian show), Gilberto Gil, Stray Kids, Maroon 5, Demi Lovato and Jamiroquai headline the 11th edition.
How much are Rock in Rio 2026 tickets?
Rock in Rio Cards were listed at R$795 full price, R$397.50 half-price and R$675.75 for Itaú clients; early waves sold out, so check official channels for remaining days.
Where does Rock in Rio take place?
At the Cidade do Rock in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Sources: Itatiaia, Live Marketing, QuintoAndar (reported August–September 1, 2026).
