São Paulo Weekend Guide: Carnaval, Shows & Olympic Encounters

São Paulo is set for a vibrant weekend, offering a diverse array of cultural and entertainment options for all tastes. The city's programming spreads from major stages to local Sescs, passing through squares, show houses, and cultural spaces.

Attendees can enjoy Brazilian music, samba, and rap, learn more about sports, take children to interactive exhibitions, or simply choose a good free program. For those who like to plan ahead, there are also major international shows, special projects by Brazilian artists, and highly anticipated premieres on the São Paulo stages.

The Memorial da América Latina hosts the 7th edition of the Bloco do Silva on Saturday, celebrating Brazilian music. The event brings together special guests like Alcione and Pretinho da Serrinha in a program that mixes Carnaval, samba, and large musical gatherings.

On Friday, Teresa Cristina premieres the show “Jessé – As Canções de Zeca Pagodinho” at the Casa Natura Musical. This is a sensitive and unprecedented tribute to the composer and singer Zeca Pagodinho.

The Circuito Rango gastronomic festival takes place on Saturday at Praça do Campo Limpo with free entry. The event brings together restaurants from various neighborhoods and a special show by Paula Lima, one of the biggest voices in Brazilian popular music.

Early Carnaval celebrations include:

• Monobloco rehearsal at Audio on Saturday night
• Siga Bem Caminhoneira block at Espaço Nobre
• Ilú Obá De Min at Casa Natura Musical on Sunday
• Cornucópia Desvairada fanfare at Quadra dos Filhos da Santa

Residents have a rare chance to meet Olympic and Paralympic athletes at various Sesc locations. Bia Souza, gold medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympics, brings high-performance judo to Sesc Pinheiros on Friday evening. She will share insights into her career path to the Olympic podium and perform technical demonstrations.

On Saturday morning, Gabriel Araújo, a standout in Paralympic sports, invites the public to dive into his story of overcoming and achievement at Sesc Guarulhos. The athlete will discuss his training routine and international competition trajectory.

Additional sports programming includes:

• Tamires Dias discussing her career with the Brazilian national team at Sesc Itaquera
• Emanuel Rego and Alison Cerutti sharing Olympic volleyball stories at Sesc Interlagos

The Itaú Cultural center features the Game+ exhibition, dedicated to the universe of video games. The display covers the history of consoles and games, showcasing 51 titles and 25 consoles with a highlight on Brazilian productions like Dandara and Amazônia.

The Farol Santander São Paulo presents a large exhibition of “As Aventuras de Pinóquio”. The show gathers over 300 items including sculptures, rare books, dolls, illustrations, films, and sound installations, revisiting Carlo Collodi's classic from historical, literary, and visual perspectives.

Meanwhile, the Mental Abstrato band celebrates 20 years of career with the show “Do Jazz ao Hip-Hop” at Sesc Itaquera on Sunday. The trio is a precursor of Rap Jazz in Brazil and presents a repertoire that revisits their trajectory and influences.

Several major events are scheduled for the coming weeks. The French singer Zaz returns to Brazil on March 5th at Audio Club as part of her new album tour, known for mixing chanson, pop, and jazz.

Thiaguinho presents the project “Banjo e Boné” at Vila JK on January 28th and February 4th. The format promises an intimate and relaxed atmosphere, transforming the space into a large pagode circle.

The musical “Tina – Tina Turner, o Musical” premieres in São Paulo on February 26th at Teatro Santander. The production, which was nominated for 12 Tony Awards, portrays the trajectory of the artist who became the Queen of Rock'n'Roll.

São Paulo's cultural calendar offers a rich blend of music, sports, and art this weekend. From the anticipation of Carnaval to the prestige of Olympic athletes, the city provides accessible and diverse entertainment options.

Whether seeking a free festival, a major concert, or an educational exhibition, residents and visitors can find activities spread across the capital's neighborhoods. Planning ahead is recommended for ticketed events, while many activities remain free of charge.