Weekend Entertainment Guide: Salvador and RMS Events

The weekend of January 2-4 offers diverse entertainment options across Salvador and the metropolitan region (RMS), featuring both free and ticketed events. The cultural program in Pelourinho, part of the Verão na Bahia initiative by the State Government and Secretariat of Culture, provides free shows throughout the weekend including performances by Márcia Freire, Nara Couto, Samba Trator, and the band Didá. Saturday features paid events including Jau at the Convention Center and Spike with Balanço Pop Ladeira at SESI Rio Vermelho.

Multiple art exhibitions are available including "Ancestral: Afro-Américas" at MUNCAB, "Lugar Nenhum é Logo Ali" at CAIXA Cultural, and "ZUMVÍ 35 Anos" at the new Zumví Arquivo Afro Fotográfico venue. The programming extends through Monday and Tuesday with special events including Xanddy Harmonia with Ivete Sangalo at Concha Acústica and Cortejo Afro with guests Otto and Jau. Most Pelourinho events are free, while paid concerts range from R$20 to R$120, with exhibitions offering various ticket prices and free entry days.

The historic district of Pelourinho hosts a comprehensive free cultural program from January 2-6 as part of the "Verão na Bahia. Um Estado da Alegria" initiative. Organized by the Governo do Estado through the Secretaria de Cultura, this series celebrates Bahian cultural diversity and continues until Carnival. The programming occupies multiple locations including the streets of Pelourinho and several squares: Tereza Batista, Pedro Arcanjo, Quincas Berro d'Água, Praça das Artes, and Largo do Pelourinho.

Friday, January 2 opens with:

• Márcia Freire at Largo Tereza Batista (20:00-21:30) - performing classics like "Vai Sacudir, Vai Abalar" and "Auê"
• Nara Couto at Largo Pedro Arcanjo (19:00-20:30) - presenting "Jazz Afro-Brasileiro"
• Samba Trator at Largo Quincas Berro D'Água (20:30-22:00)

Saturday, January 3 features:

• Gravnave and guests at Largo Pedro Arcanjo (17:00-23:00) - combining Afro-Bahian rhythms with pagodão, hip hop, afrobeat, and electronic music (R$20/R$10)
• Samba de Oyá at Largo Tereza Batista (20:00-21:30) - celebrating Black women's ancestral rhythms
• Aila Menezes at Largo Quincas Berro D'Água (20:00) - presenting Bahian pagodão

Sunday, January 4 includes:

• Tio Paulinho at Largo Pedro Arcanjo (14:30-17:00) - children's entertainment
• Didá at Largo Tereza Batista (14:00-20:00) - the first Brazilian female Afro-percussive band
• Viola de Doze at Largo Pedro Arcanjo (19:00-21:00) - samba de roda with 12-string viola

Several paid events offer premium entertainment experiences throughout the weekend. Katulê performs at Baía Sunset on Friday starting at 16:00, with tickets from R$50. The venue is located at Largo dos Aflitos in the Centro district.

Saturday highlights include:

• Pôr do Jau at the Salvador Convention Center (15:00 onwards) - featuring axé music with tickets starting at R$100
• Spike & Balanço Pop Ladeira at Varanda do SESI Rio Vermelho (21:00 onwards) - presenting "O Baile da Nêga" with couvert artístico at R$40 or casadinha at R$60

Monday, January 5 features:

• Xanddy Harmonia with special guest Ivete Sangalo at Concha Acústica (18:00) - part of "Melhor Segunda-Feira do Mundo" festival with tickets between R$100 and R$120
• Cortejo Afro with guests Jau and Otto at Praça das Artes (21:00) - tickets at R$80 (meia) and R$160 (inteira)

Walkmen performs free at As Divas do Tio Chico in Lauro de Freitas on Saturday starting at 17:00, while The Johns offer free rock and pop covers at the same venue on Friday from 17:00.

Multiple museums and cultural centers host significant exhibitions through February and April. The most prominent is Ancestral: Afro-Américas at MUNCAB (Museu Nacional da Cultura Afro-Brasileira), running until February 1, 2026. Curated by Ana Beatriz Almeida and Renato Araújo da Silva with artistic direction by Marcello Dantas, this landmark exhibition connects African ancestral heritage with contemporary art across three themes: Dream, Body, and Space. Tickets cost R$20 (full) and R$10 (half-price), with free entry on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Lugar Nenhum é Logo Ali at CAIXA Cultural Salvador features 18 interactive works by artists including Vik Muniz, Marepe, and Mano Penalva. The exhibition explores relationships between body, territory, and city through February 8, 2026. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 9:00-17:30 with free admission.

ZUMVÍ 35 Anos celebrates the new headquarters of Zumví Arquivo Afro Fotográfico through February 28, 2026. Curated by Lázaro Roberto and Luedji Luna, it showcases historical and poetic images documenting Black narratives in Salvador. Located at Rua Borges dos Reis, 218 in Rio Vermelho, admission is free.

Fotografia e Cotidiano at Centro Cultural Que Ladeira é Essa? presents work by 27 women photographers documenting the Bairro Dois de Julho community. Open Monday-Friday 15:00-20:00 and Saturday 9:00-15:00 through February 2026, free entry.

Divinos - Entre o Céu, Terra e Mar at Cuco Bistrô features black and white photography of Bahian spiritual practices. Running through April 2026, Monday-Saturday 12:00-22:00, free admission.

Beyond the main events, the weekend offers various other entertainment options. The Resenha do VP takes place at Largo Quincas Berro D'Água on Sunday from 14:00-19:00 with free admission.

Ensaio Pra Melhor Segunda-Feira do Mundo continues on Monday, January 5 with Xanddy Harmonia featuring guests Saulo Fernandes, Henry Freitas, and the band Filhos de Jorge at Concha Acústica (18:00).

The Programação cultural do Pelourinho includes Cortejo Afro as part of the ongoing series, with special presentations throughout the weekend. All Pelourinho events are part of the state's summer cultural initiative designed to provide accessible entertainment for all ages.

Most venues are located in the Centro Histórico and Rio Vermelho districts, with some events in Lauro de Freitas (RMS). The complete schedule ensures options for different budgets, from completely free cultural presentations to premium concert experiences.