Celebrating Halloween Weekend 2016 in Rio de Janeiro

By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Known in Brazil as Dia das Bruxas (Day of the Witches), each year more and more Brazilians are embracing the Halloween traditions of costumes and candy, with many of Rio’s clubs, bars, and lounges located throughout the Cidade Maravilhosa hosting Halloween celebrations for this weekend beginning on Friday night.

Tonight, October 28th, the local favorite and American-owned Blue Agave in Ipanema will be hosting its annual Halloween bash with a 2-for-1 shooter menu, music from the legendary DJ Tee Cardaci, and prizes for the best costumes.

“This year it feels like there is more excitement coming from the Brazilians that seem to be really excited and getting into the holiday spirit,” shared Blue Agave managing partner Alex Barwinski. “I have no doubt that with Tee here it is going to go off and get freaky.”

The Halloween festivities continue on Saturday, October 29th, in Copacabana, as Caminhos Brasil hosts this year’s edition of Halloween Festa Live in the Pura Vida Hostel. Highlights will include music from DJ Luizinho Ramos and a live concert from the band Hunna.

“We have a great line up with Hunna playing Foo Fighters, U2, Muse and more and DJ Luzinho Ramos is on the decks. We promise to have a great crowd!” said Caminhos Brasil manager Bel Casson excitedly. “Last year’s event was huge with over five hundred people attending, this year’s event will be even bigger – some people are coming in ‘fantasia’ and excited to celebrate Halloween Carioca style.”

Guests are encouraged to arrive early as there will be an open bar for the first hour, 9PM to 10PM, and as an extra bonus, those in costume enter for free until 11PM. Also, all guests on the Caminhos VIP list enter for free. Those interested in getting on the list should email [email protected].

For those looking for a more relaxed environment to celebrate Halloween, the lounge Palaphita Gávea, near Baixo–Gávea in the Jockey Club, will present its fourth annual Halloween party on Saturday.

This year, the lounge’s rustic garden, normally illuminated by soft candlelight, will be combined with Halloween-themed decor, a full open bar and DJs to keep the mood set from sundown until late into the night for the hundreds of expected costumed guests. Tickets are R$200 for men, R$130 for women. Organizers advise getting tickets early as last year’s Halloween event sold out.

Finally, since starting in 2007 the global networking organization, InterNations, has become a staple in the social calendar for many foreigners and locals. The Rio community group hosts interesting, well-organized events throughout the year, and Halloween is no exception.

On Halloween day, Monday, October 31st, InterNations will host the Rio Halloween in the Hills costume party at an eclectic house built in the 1930s. The house, which is comprised of seven artist ateliers and five exhibition spaces, is used by the group, Z42 Art, as an artistic, creative space to promote Brazilian contemporary art.

The entrance fee for the event is R$10 for InterNations Albatross members, R$40 for basic members, and R$50 for the general public. The first drink is free and guest can visit the space’s art exhibition until 10PM.

For more information, addresses, event times, entrance fees, and additional Halloween events, see The Rio Times Nightlife Guide.