Rock in Rio

Rock in Rio is one of the biggest music festivals on the planet, drawing 700,000 people across multiple weekends at Parque Olímpico in Rio de Janeiro. Since 1985, it has hosted legends from Queen to Beyoncé, and its 2026 edition promises to be equally spectacular. The festival spans two weekends in September with different lineups each day. Seven stages cover everything from headlining rock and pop acts to electronic, metal, hip hop, and Brazilian music. The World Stage alone holds over 100,000 people. Rio itself is half the experience — Copacabana Beach, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Christ the Redeemer are all within reach. September is the tail end of Brazilian winter, so expect pleasant temperatures around 25°C (77°F). Pro tip: Book accommodation in Barra da Tijuca (closest neighborhood to the venue) or Copacabana (best beach vibes). The metro extension goes directly to the park. Single-day tickets are available if you cannot commit to the full run.