Rock in Rio returns to Parque Tejo, in Lisbon, and Parque Olímpico, in Rio de Janeiro, with a strong lineup and entire days dedicated to music. There are plenty of reasons to turn the festival into a complete trip.
In Lisbon, Rock in Rio takes place on 20, 21, 27 and 28 June, at Parque Tejo, with doors opening in the afternoon and the concerts stretching into the evening and small hours. On the other side of the Atlantic, in the cidade maravilhosa (the marvellous city), the festival is scheduled for 4, 5, 6, 7 and 11, 12 and 13 September, at Parque Olímpico, in the Barra da Tijuca. In both cases, the City of Rock is back with everything we’ve come to expect: the music theme park features several stages, simultaneous performances, food and drink areas, brand activations and rest areas scattered throughout the venue. Below, you have everything you need about each event: who’s going to play, what to expect, and some practical tips to get the most out of the experience.
Rock in Rio Lisbon 2026
Lisbon Rock in Rio happens for four days (two weekends), at Parque Tejo Lisboa (Passeio dos Heróis do Mar). The first day of the event, 20 June, is all about pop and electronic, with performances by Katy Perry, Charlie Puth, Pedro Sampaio, Calema, Alok, Audrey Nuna, Nena, Maninho, Bebe Rexha, Napa and Sofia Camara, among others. On 21 June, the focus is rock, will Linkin Park, Cypress Hill, The Pretty Reckless, Grandson, Kaiser Chiefs, Hoobastank, Blasted Mechanism, Tara Perdida, Sepultura, P.O.D., Sam The Kid with Orquestra and Orelha Negra and Dealema.
The following weekend occurs on 27 June, with a day focussed on classics and legends: Rod Stewart, Cyndi Lauper, Shaggy, 4 Non Blondes, Xutos & Pontapés, GNR, UHF, Jafumega, Joss Stone, Belo, The Wailers and Syro. On 28 June, the line-up mixes hip-hop, rap and new voices, with 21 Savage, Central Cee, Rema, Matuê, Filipe Ret, Dennis, Carlão, Irina Barros, Lola Índigo and CeeLo Green.
For festival goers, a few simple tips can be useful. As the event is outdoor, the best way to dress is with light layers – during the day, it is usually quite hot, but at night it can get windy and chilly. The best way to get to the venue is by public transport and shuttles; it’s a bad idea to take a car due to little parking and traffic limitations. To explore the area, avoid long queues and enjoy the countless activities available, in addition to the main concerts, the best thing is to get there early.
Besides the City of Rock, there’s an entire city to discover: Lisbon. It’s easy to combine the festival with a city getaway, with stays in 4 and 5 Star hotels in Lisbon. On the free days, or even between the concerts, a strategic location, with good accesses, makes it easy to visit the historic centre, the viewpoints and the Tagus waterfront, turning the festival into a complete city break.
Rock in Rio Brazil 2026
In Brazil, Rock in Rio 2026 is scheduled for 4, 5, 6, 7 and 11, 12 and 13 September, at the Parque Olímpico, in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro. Once again, the venue, which is the inheritance of the Olympic Games, will host Palco Mundo, Palco Sunset, Espaço Favela and New Dance Order. The line-up is still being formed, but there are already various days with attractions confirmed. On 4 September, the Foo Fighters are headliners, alongside Rise Against, The Hives, Nova Twins, Capital Inicial with Dado Villa-Lobos, Hot Milk, Detonautas + Biquini and Di Ferrero, on a line-up that is rock heavy. Other acts confirmed include Stray Kids, Alok, Hwasa and NEXZ, in addition to Jamiroquai and PJ Morton on 11 de September (mixing K‑pop, electronica and funk), and a day more international pop with Maroon 5, Demi Lovato, J Balvin, Pedro Sampaio, Mumford & Sons, João Gomes with Orquestra Brasileira, Gilsons, Daniela Mercury + Olodum and Criolo + Amaro Freitas + Dino D’Santiago.
Access to the Parque Olímpico involves some planning: there are designated drop-off areas, and those arriving by public transport or shuttle will have a 20- to 30-minute walk to the entrance. It’s best to check BRT options, special bus routes, taxis and ride-hailing apps in advance. In terms of comfort, it’s like Lisbon, but temperatures are normally higher: wear light clothing, sun protection, a hat and comfortable footwear, not to mention a compact raincoat.
To turn the festival into a complete trip, an hotel by Copacabana Beach is the perfect base. The metro is a stone’s throw away and provides direct access to the route leading to Barra da Tijuca, from where the main transport links to the festival site depart. Staying in Copacabana allows you to start the day with a morning swim or a walk on the sea front, having easy access to popular spots like the Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf), Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) and Lapa, and also being able to return after the festival to one of Rio’s most iconic neighbourhood. On the days without concerts, there’s always time to wander around Ipanema, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon or enjoy the local cuisine in botecos (Brazilian eateries) and seaside restaurants.
