20 paired activities for the G20 holiday weekend in Rio de Janeiro

Breakfast with a view + exhibition, free movie + samba circle, concert + tour, and other paired activity ideas during the conference After a year with few extended holidays, residents of Rio de Janeiro are gearing up for a long holiday weekend from this Friday (15th) to the 20th. This is due to the G20 summit, with representatives from the world's major economies, which has resulted in municipal holidays on Monday (18th) and Tuesday (19th). To take advantage of the quieter city in the coming days, we've crafted an itinerary with 20 paired activities (a nod to the G20), spanning from the South Zone to the West Zone, and from the city center to the North Zone. Enjoy! G20 in Rio: See how traffic and commerce will be during the mega-holiday in the capital Meeting: Lula and Biden to announce clean energy partnership, defying Trump 1. Global Alliance and Morro da Conceição tour The "Global Festival Against Hunger and Poverty," a free event at Praça Mauá inspired by international festivals like "Live Aid" (1985), kicks off on thursday. It features artists such as Daniela Mercury and Seu Jorge (today), Teresa Cristina and Zeca Pagodinho (Friday), and Maria Gadú and Ney Matogrosso (Saturday), among others. Since the event begins at 5 p.m. (with the opening of the Baile Black Bom), it's a good idea to start early with a stroll through the nearby and picturesque Morro da Conceição. The climb can be made via the staircase next to Rua do Acre, almost like a portal to another dimension, where the buildings of Rio Branco give way to old houses and cobblestoned alleys, home to artist studios and restaurants, as well as the iconic Pedra do Sal. 2. Little Africa with samba circles During Black Awareness Month, the Museum of Afro-Brazilian History and Culture (Rua Pedro Ernesto 80, Gamboa) and the Instituto Pretos Novos (Rua Pedro Ernesto 32) are offering a strengthened free agenda beyond exhibitions and discussion circles. At Muhcab, Sunday features Terreiro Crioulo (at 2 p.m.) and Terreiro Mangueira (at 5 p.m.), and on the 20th, Samba da Dida with feijoada. Meanwhile, at the INP, there's the Women of Little Africa circle (Friday, at 2 p.m.) and the Old Rogues (on the 20th, at 5 p.m.). 3. CCBB with special programming and lunch The cultural center has special programming and hours for the holiday: closed on Monday and open on Tuesday. In addition to three film festivals—Italian Film Festival, MAM Cinematheque (featuring the classic "Bicycle Thieves" by Vittorio De Sica on Sunday at 6 p.m.), and the G20 Showcase—there's the opening of the "Crossroads of Afro-Brazilian Art" exhibition on Saturday (more details on page 16), with a samba circle from Terreiro do Crioulo at 4 p.m. On Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., there's a pocket show by Fafá de Belém, and on Wednesday, the Quilombo Groove project begins—Prayers, Praises, and Drums from Quilombo do Curiaú, offering an immersion into Amapá's history with shows, workshops, storytelling, and an exhibition. To secure a spot, it's best to reserve tickets through the CCBB website. To complete the outing, enjoy lunch at the surrounding restaurants, either on Rua do Ouvidor or Rua do Rosário. 4. Bay tour and Ilha Fiscal visit Due to the holiday, boat tours of Guanabara Bay organized by Espaço Cultural da Marinha (next to Praça Quinze) have extra days: in addition to the regular Thursday to Sunday schedule, they'll also run on Tuesday and Wednesday (always at 1:15 p.m. and 3 p.m.). From the same location, a schooner departs for Ilha Fiscal, with its neo-Gothic castle featuring English stained glass, mosaic floors, period furniture, and objects (Thursday to Sunday at 12:45 p.m., 2:15 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.; R$50, tickets available on-site or through the Ingresso com desconto website). Another option is the guided and dramatized tour of the island (Friday and Saturday at 11:30 a.m.; R$80). If visiting on Saturday, consider ending the day at Alfa, just across the street, which hosts a samba circle with singer Tomaz Miranda at 3 p.m. (Rua do Mercado 34, entrance via Boulevard Olímpico). Ilha Fiscal: a classic tourist attraction in Guanabara Bay Leo Martins/Agência O Globo 5. Flup and Indian flavors By day, book launches, discussion circles, and workshops. By night, concerts. The 14th Peripheral Literary Festival (Flup) takes over Circo Voador in Lapa until Sunday with a series of free events. Among the concerts, highlights include "Black Pearls" with Alaíde Costa, Eliana Pittman, and Zezé Motta (Thursday at 9:30 p.m.), Fábiana Cozza (Saturday at 10:30 p.m.), and Amaro Freitas and Zé Manuel playing Clube da Esquina (Sunday at 9 p.m.). Before or after enjoying the program under the tent, why not try some Indian food? Nearby, on Escadaria Selarón, the laid-back restaurant Hoje Tem Curry (Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.) is a gem serving dishes like chicken masala (R$49). 6. Films and drinks Still in the city center, another option is the "Festival Afronta!" which, starting Tuesday, screens 18 films related to racial diversity for free at Caixa Cultural (Rua do Passeio 38). Among the short and feature films, the documentary "Dahomey" by Mati Diop, winner of the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, stands out. It explores treasures looted by Europeans from the Kingdom of Dahomey, which are being returned to Benin. Afterwards, head to The Rooftop, a bar on the eighth floor of Hotel Selina Lapa with views of the Arches and a lineup filled with DJs and parties (Monday to Thursday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to midnight; and Sunday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.). 7. Nature and arts Adjacent to the Tijuca Forest National Park, the Museu do Açude is an open-air gallery featuring works by Iole de Freitas, Waltercio Caldas, Lygia Pape, and Angelo Venosa interacting with the garden. A highlight is the penetrable work "Magic Square No. 5 — De Luxe" by Hélio Oiticica. Be sure to check out the Portuguese tile ensemble, one of the museum's high points (Estrada do Açude 764; Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; R$8; free on Thursdays). After (or before) your visit, enjoy lunch there: amidst the forest, the traditional restaurant Os Esquilos, founded in 1945 in a colonial mansion, offers a respite with classic dishes like steak au poivre, salmon with passion fruit sauce, and chicken with cooked apple sauce. Friday to Sunday and Wednesday, from noon to 5 p.m. 8. Outdoor sculptures and lunch with a view Another arts and scenery combo. In Alto Leblon, Parque Dois Irmãos, accessible via Rua Aperana, offers 39 hectares of preserved area with trails, gardens, a lake, an amphitheater, a playground, and four viewpoints overlooking Leblon and Ipanema beaches and the lagoon. Revitalized in 2023, the space features five large iron sculptures by Oscar Niemeyer (Tuesday to Sunday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., free). From there, walk a stretch of dirt road to the pacified community of Chácara do Céu, home to the restaurant Flor do Céu (reservations required via flordoceu.leadsfood.app). Overlooking the sea, Italian chef Tobias Messa serves a tasting menu with fish, seafood, and fresh pasta (R$100 for three courses; R$160 for five). Wednesday and Thursday at noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. Friday at noon and 4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and holidays at noon and 3 p.m. 9. Breakfast with a view and Amazon exhibition If you're looking for an Instagram-worthy breakfast, head to Parque Glória Maria (formerly das Ruínas) in Santa Teresa, where Café Mandala (Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.) offers views of Guanabara Bay and Sugarloaf Mountain (Rua Murtinho Nobre 169). There are simple breakfast combos (starting at R$42 for one; R$99.50 for two) and individual brunch (R$68), as well as à la carte items like sandwiches and drinks. While there, visit the free exhibition "RIO G20: Dialogues for the Planet," which, until Wednesday, showcases performances, artistic expressions, and multimedia exhibitions highlighting illegal fires in the Amazon Rainforest. 10. Breakfast with a view in Joatinga And since we're on the topic of dining with a view, here's another option: breakfast at Brava, the restaurant at Clube Costa Brava in Joatinga (Rua Sargento José da Silva 3.621. Saturday, Sunday, and holidays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.). Combos start at R$32, featuring breakfast classics. The restaurant also serves lunch, always by reservation (99442-4768). Before or after, take the opportunity to visit Praia da Joatinga, one of the city's most secluded and picturesque beaches. The main challenge: access, which isn't straightforward. To get there, you must drive (passing through a gated community on Estrada do Joá) and then descend the rocks to the beach. Additionally, the tides can be tricky. As the beach is narrow, a high tide may mean no beach at all. But even if you don't want to descend, you can enjoy the view from above. 11. Beach and lunch in Grumari It's neither secluded nor hidden, but it can still be listed among the city's most beautiful beaches. Grumari in the West Zone is always a good destination. On one side, the ocean, and on the other, the reserve area within the Pedra Branca State Park. To complete the outing, enjoy seafood at one of the local kiosks. Nosso Cantinho, Grumari Surf Bar, Point de Grumari, and Clássico Beach Club are a few options. 12. Boat tour and lunch in Gigoia Continuing with "programs to enjoy nature," there's room for a boat tour on Lagoa da Tijuca, around the ten islets that make up the Gigoia archipelago and host various restaurants. Embarkation points are near the Lagoa metro exit and the pier behind Shopping Barra Point. Several boatmen offer tours sharing the local history and showcasing the fauna and flora of the "Carioca Pantanal," a mangrove area with alligators and capybaras. At Jardim Oceânico Tour (97964-7638), the tour costs from R$45. You can also go directly to a restaurant (R$7), including the award-winning Ocyá (on Ilha Primeira), the newly opened Camarão da Barra, and Salomé Almare, which replaced the classic Bar do Cícero. Gigoia Island Leo Martins 13. Theater and snacks Also in the West Zone, a great option is to enjoy Quintal dos Botecos, which combines music and snacks at ParkJacarepaguá (Thursday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday to Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.). Among the 13 participants are Bar da Gema and Boteco Teixeira. The musical lineup features Cacique de Ramos (Saturday at 6:30 p.m.) and Casuarina (Sunday at 6 p.m.). The combo is complete with the arrival of the show "The Color Purple — The Musical" at Multiplan Hall, in the same mall. The show is a Broadway musical adaptation inspired by the film of the same name (Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.; Sunday at 4 p.m.; ages 12 and up; starting at R$120). 14. Circus and big eats Snacks also have a place at Quinta da Boa Vista. Or rather, big eats, as the highlight of the Feira do Podrão, held there from Friday to Sunday (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.), is the giant treats, like the one-kilo coxinha, the Marechal Hermes potato, and the three-kilo burger. A kids' area and samba circles are also planned. Before or after, you can relax on the lawn, ride a pedal boat, or watch a free show at the Unicirco Marcos Frota (Saturday, Sunday, and holidays at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.). 15. Who wants codfish? And flowers? Nearby, Cadeg (Rua Capitão Félix 110, Benfica) is the go-to destination for plant and flower enthusiasts. And until the 24th, it has another attraction, the traditional Bacalhau Festival, with over 25 participating establishments. 16. Sustainability fair One of the G20's themes is the discussion on important environmental measures. This topic is central to the International Festival of Sustainability, Culture, and Diversity, held at the Museum of the City in Parque da Cidade, Gávea (Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). In addition to lectures, there's a fair featuring clothes, accessories, crafts, a sustainable fashion show, and a parade by the Filhos de Gandhy, plus a kids' area. The event is free (with a non-perishable food collection) and offers vans from PUC-Rio directly to the museum. Once back in Gávea, consider dining at one of the Jockey Club's restaurants, such as Páreo, offering a range of Brazilian dishes, wood-fired pizzas, and sushi bar. Rua Mário Ribeiro 410, Leblon (2540-9017). Tuesday to Friday from 6 p.m. to midnight. Saturday from noon to 1 a.m. Sunday from noon to 11 p.m. 17. Hike and sound at Sugarloaf To start the day off energetically, how about climbing one of Rio's landmarks? Accessible via the Cláudio Coutinho Trail (Praça General Tibúrcio 125, daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.), the hike to Morro da Urca is easy—even for kids! The path is short (about 1km) but uphill and through forest, amidst monkeys and birds. The view from the top is worth it! To relax afterward, take the cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain. There, in addition to new steel artworks by Carlos Vergara on display in the Art Grove, the holiday program includes a sunset with DJs and musicians (Friday, Saturday, and Wednesday from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.), live samba (Sunday to Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.), and a charm ball (Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.). To complete the outing, have lunch at the classic Terra Brasilis, open daily (noon to 10 p.m.). It's best to arrive early, as the venue often has a queue. The menu is quite diverse. 18. MAC and Northeastern Festival in Niterói It's not quite a trip, but you can leave the city to see exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Niterói, the MAC (Mirante da Boa Viagem s/nº, Boa Viagem. Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. R$16. Free on Wednesdays), including "Etnogênese," curated by Emicida, Luiza Testa, and Patricia Borges, featuring 43 works by Marcelino Melo, also known as Quebradinha. Then, head to the Northeastern Festival at Reserva Cultural (Rua Visconde do Rio Branco 880, São Domingos). As the name suggests, it features Northeastern cuisine and musical attractions, plus children's activities (Thursday to Sunday from noon to midnight). 19. Pre-Carnival in Madureira For those already in the mood for the next carnival, Parque Madureira is the place to be this Sunday when it hosts a free show by Monobloco. The group is the week's highlight at Claro Diversão no Parque, an event running until the following Sunday, the 24th. The show, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., can be a good excuse to explore the park, which offers 450,000 square meters and features volleyball, basketball, and soccer courts, a skate park, and playgrounds. It's worth two visits. 20. Samba with a nightcap at Bar do Momo Those enjoying a day off on the holiday Monday can indulge in samba at Renascença Clube (Rua Barão de São Francisco 54, Andaraí) with the popular samba circle led by Moacyr Luz. The drumming begins early, at 4:30 p.m. (with a reduced audience, as the venue is undergoing general renovation and roofed court refurbishment). Afterward, consider ending the night at a bar on Rua Espírito Santo Cardoso 50, one of the few open in the area that day. Try the rice ball with sausage (R$9), pork belly cracklings (R$35), and passion fruit cocktail (R$10).