Rio de Janeiro Daily Brief for Saturday, March 28, 2026

Saturday is the strongest museum day of the week. The No Martins opening at 15h is the cultural highlight — arrive early to see the Bienal and Augusti shows first, then attend the opening. ExpoRio’s Saturday hours start at 10h (earlier than weekdays) with Diogo Nogueira closing the evening.

MAR — No Martins: Sortilégios de Desvio Opens Today

The first institutional solo show for No Martins, the painter of Black Brazilian life, opens at 15h. His work maps Black joy, ritual and community in a distinctive figurative language. The MAR is free today as part of its March anniversary programme. Also on view: the 36th Bienal de São Paulo itinerance (19 artists) and Guilhermina Augusti‘s first institutional solo. Three exhibitions, zero cost.

Praça Mauá 5, Centro. Sat 11h–18h (last entry 17h). Free today. Metrô: Uruguaiana → VLT Parada dos Museus.

CCBB — Vetores-Vertentes Penultimate Day

Vetores-Vertentes: Fotógrafas do Pará closes Monday. This weekend is the final chance to see 160 works by 11 Amazonian women photographers. The CCBB Educativo runs storytelling and shadow theatre tied to the show. Viva Mauricio (immersive Turma da Mônica, ground floor, free) continues through April 13.

R. Primeiro de Março 66, Centro. Wed–Mon 9h–20h. Free. Closed Tuesdays. Metrô: Uruguaiana → VLT Parada dos Museus.

MAM Rio — Daniel Buren Voile/Toile

Eleven vertical-striped Optimist sails hung in finishing order — the French artist’s first Brazilian presentation. Through April 12. The sculpture garden and permanent collection are also open. Free admission.

Av. Infante Dom Henrique 85, Parque do Flamengo. Sat 10h–18h, Sun 10h–18h. Free. Metrô: Cinelândia or Largo do Machado.

ExpoRio Turismo 2026 — Day 3

Saturday opens at 10h (earlier than weekday hours). All 92 municipalities, the boulevard gastronômico along the Lagoa waterfront, artisanato, and the Vivências do Rio sensory space. Tonight: Diogo Nogueira at 20h (shows area opens 18h). Free entry. Tomorrow closes the expo with Mumuzinho at 19h.

Av. Borges de Medeiros 1424, Lagoa. Sat 28: 10h–00h. Sun 29: 10h–23h.

MAR + CCBB + ExpoRio route: Start at the MAR (11h, Praça Mauá) → walk to CCBB Vetores-Vertentes (five minutes) → Metrô Line 1 to Jardim de Alah or taxi to Lagoon for ExpoRio from 10h → stay for Diogo Nogueira at 20h. No rodízio on weekends.

VLT for Centro museums: The VLT connects Parada dos Museus (MAR/CCBB) with Santos Dumont airport and the wider Centro network. Runs until midnight on weekends.

At ExpoRio: The boulevard gastronômico is the best outdoor dining event this weekend. Regional producers from all 12 tourist regions of Rio state. Arrive before 18h for the food stalls before the show crowds gather.

Centro circuit: Between the MAR and CCBB, Travessa do Comércio has traditional carioca botequins open on Saturdays. The CCBB café serves light meals inside. For a sit-down lunch, Rua do Ouvidor offers options within walking distance.

Diesel subsidy: The government is expected to issue a medida provisória on Monday or Tuesday formalising the diesel price subsidy, according to the Finance Ministry. This may affect fuel prices at the pump in the coming weeks — relevant for anyone driving regularly.

Petrobras record: The state oil company hit R$673 billion in market capitalisation on Friday — its highest ever. The stock has been the Ibovespa’s strongest performer since the Iran war began, rising on Brent above US$100. If you hold PETR3/PETR4, the position has been a significant outperformer this month.

Saturday culture double: MAR (free, 11h–18h, No Martins at 15h) + ExpoRio at Lagoon (10h–00h, Diogo Nogueira 20h). Two of the week’s biggest events — a gallery opening and a free concert — on the same day at zero cost.

Sunday closing day: ExpoRio closes tomorrow with Mumuzinho at 19h. If you missed any of the 92-municipality exhibits, regional food stalls, or the Vivências do Rio sensory experience, Sunday 10h–23h is the last window.

No Brasileirão fixtures this weekend. Round 9 returns Wednesday, April 1. Palmeiras and São Paulo lead the table on 16 points. Full standings and analysis at The Rio Times sports coverage.

Friday close: Ibovespa −0.64% to 181,557 — a second consecutive decline, but the week ended +3.03% as the Monday–Wednesday rally outweighed Thursday–Friday losses. Banks led the selling: BTG −3.03%, BB −1.73%, Bradesco −1.59%. Petrobras bucked the trend again (ON +1.74%, PN +2.89%), hitting a record R$673 billion market cap. Braskem crashed −10.84% on weak earnings. Dollar eased 0.28% to R$5.24. Unemployment rose to 5.8%. VIX breached 30 — extreme turbulence territory. In New York, selling deepened as the war completed its first month.

Week ahead: Selic at 14.75%. IPCA-15 12-month at 3.90%. Government expected to issue diesel subsidy MP Monday–Tuesday. Focus year-end: Selic 12.25%, dollar R$5.50. Next Copom: April 28–29. For full analysis, see Friday’s Brazil Morning Call.

Sun Mar 29: ExpoRio Turismo final day 10h–23h. Mumuzinho at 19h. MAR and MAM open. 28°C, 15% rain.

Mon Mar 30: Final day of Vetores-Vertentes: Fotógrafas do Pará at the CCBB — last chance for 160 works by Amazonian women photographers. 28°C, 10% rain.