Rio De Janeiro Entertainment

Rio has a wide variety of entertainment to choose from. It lives up to its reputation as a party capital with the nights starting late and finishing early in the morning. You will find Samba shows and Brazilian bands, playing everything from rock to traditional Brazilian music as well as theatre, bars and nightclubs. You will never be disappointed, but you will occasionally be surprised.

Nightlife

Cariocas (the generic name for the locals in Rio) know how to enjoy themselves. Whether you enjoy a post-soccer beer at a beach kiosk, watch a band at one of the live music venues or treat yourself to a cocktail at one of the city’s number of trendy bars and clubs, a night out in Rio is a truly unique experience. There is a diverse range of bars and nightclubs available. You will find choperias (plain but pleasant bars) as well as gay bars, discos, samba clubs, bars playing live Brazilian music and old-fashioned ballroom dance halls. Bars and lounges usually ask for a small charge on the door. Beer is generally served throughout the day and you will find that many corner bars that open out onto the streets are particularly popular with the locals. Many bars and pubs have happy hours for people returning home from work or from a day at the beach and will often also serve snacks and small meals. However, the real action does not start until around 23:00, when the clubs open.

Theatre and Music

Rio has a strong and historical theatre tradition and many plays and musicals debut in Rio before visiting other Brazilian cities. There is a season for performing arts which runs from April to December. Shows are not just performed in theatres, many are also performed on the streets of the city. Current listings of what’s on can be found in the bi-lingual paper, Rio Guia, or through the tourist board. One of the three main theatres in the city is the Municipal Theatre, which is located in the heart of the city. This is Brazil’s premier venue for concerts and shows. It hosts a wide range of performances, ranging from ballet and opera to concerts by the National Symphony Orchestra. The Rival Theatre, which is a small theatre, features performances by some of Brazil’s best undiscovered acts, many of whom go on to reach national and even international fame. The Centro Cultural do Banco do Brasil used to house the Bank of Brazil and now offers various cultural shows and displays on a much smaller scale than both the Municipal and Rival theatres. There are a number of orchestras which perform year-round. The Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira and the Orquestra do Teatro Municipal are at the forefront of Rio’s musical world. Jazz nights are held in numerous venues throughout the city and are very popular with both tourists and locals alike.

Festivals

Rio de Janeiro is without doubt home to the most famous carnival in the world. Hundreds of thousands of people attend the carnival every year to experience the ultimate party. The carnival is held every February and for four days, the city explodes into a mass of colour, music and dancing. Other events held throughout the year include:

• New Year’s celebrations in Rio are ranked among the best in the world. The city stages musical performances throughout the city as well as a finale of impressive fireworks. People celebrating on Copacabana Beach dress up in white to bid farewell to one year and welcome the arrival of the New Year.
• The June Bonfire Festival celebrates Brazilian folklore with bonfire festivals taking place in squares, schools and churches throughout the city.
• Brazil’s Independence Day in early September marks the anniversary of Brazilian independence and Rio sees numerous cultural and sporting events occurring across the city.