Rio de Janeiro Nightlife Tonight — September 7, 2026
Rio de Janeiro · Nightlife
If You Only Go to One Place
The Monday Roda at Pedra do Sal
Riotur and the city’s samba map both list the free roda on Mondays, on the old stone steps in the port. It costs nothing, and today it lands on the Independence Day holiday.
Tonight at a Glance
- —Pedra do Sal · Saúde The free roda is listed on Mondays. No official page, so check the listing.
- —Carioca da Gema · Lapa Holiday hours: doors 20:30, show 21:00. Normally shut on Mondays.
- —Rock in Rio · sold out Day four has no tickets left. Elton John closes the Palco Mundo at 23:00.
- —Metro on a holiday grid MetrôRio runs 07:00 to 23:00, with a fare of R$7.90 (US$1.54) a leg.
- —Rio Scenarium · closed The house runs Wednesday to Saturday and reopens on Wednesday.
- —Ferries The Praça XV to Arariboia line runs 06:00 to 23:00, hourly.
Tonight, Monday 7 September 2026, Rio marks Independence Day with a military parade by day and a sold-out festival in Barra. In the old port, the city’s best-known free roda falls on its listed night.
What’s On Tonight
Pedra do Sal is the stone stairway in Saúde where Carioca samba took shape. Riotur and the Prefeitura’s samba map both list the free roda there on Mondays.
There is no venue, no ticket and no official page, which is the whole character of the thing. It also means the city listing is the only source worth trusting on timing.
Today is a national holiday, and holiday Mondays can shift street programming either way. Check the Riotur listing before you travel across the city for it.
Carioca da Gema is shut on Mondays for most of the year. Its published hours carry a separate line for holiday eves and holidays, with doors at 20:30 and the show at 21:00.
That line applied last night and applies again today. The house is at Avenida Mem de Sá 79 and sells through Sympla, as single places or tables.
Rock in Rio reaches day four at the Parque Olímpico. Gilberto Gil plays at 20:30 and Elton John at 23:00, both moved earlier than first announced.
Today is sold out, as are 6 and 12 September. Tickets remained for 11 and 13 September on the last published check.
Ticketmaster is the only official seller, so do not travel to Barra hoping to buy at the gate. The festival is broadcast on Multishow, Canal Bis, Globoplay and TV Globo.
Getting Around on the Holiday
MetrôRio runs its holiday grid of 07:00 to 23:00 today. Lines 1 and 4 run between Uruguai and Jardim Oceânico, and Line 2 between Pavuna and Botafogo.
The fare is R$7.90 (US$1.54) a leg. Ferries follow the Sunday and holiday grid, with Praça XV to Arariboia running 06:00 to 23:00 on the hour.
Festival access changes the picture in Barra. The B and C entrances at Jardim Oceânico stay open around the clock for boarding.
Where to Go
Pedra do Sal — Saúde
A stone stairway in the old port district, and one of the founding sites of samba in the city. The roda happens in the street around it.
- WhenRiotur and the city’s samba map both list it on Mondays.
- CostFree, in the open air at the Largo João da Baiana.
- TodayA national holiday, so confirm the listing before travelling.
- NoteThere is no official page and no box office. Bring cash for the street bars.
Carioca da Gema — Lapa
A samba and chorinho house in a two-storey Lapa townhouse, open since 2000. It has a main salon, a veranda and a mezzanine, with table service throughout.
- TodayHoliday hours: doors 20:30, show 21:00.
- UsuallyClosed Sunday and Monday. Tuesday to Saturday otherwise.
- TomorrowBack to the Tuesday pattern, with doors 19:30 and the show at 20:30.
- TicketsThrough Sympla, as single places or tables, priced per night.
- AddressAvenida Mem de Sá 79, Lapa. Metro Cinelândia, then a short walk.
Rock in Rio — Parque Olímpico, Barra da Tijuca
Seven festival days across two weekends, on six stages at the Cidade do Rock. Today closes the first weekend.
- TodaySold out. Gilberto Gil at 20:30 and Elton John at 23:00.
- Still on sale11 and 13 September had tickets on the last published check, 4 September.
- SellerTicketmaster only. Ignore any other source offering entry.
- BroadcastMultishow, Canal Bis, Globoplay and TV Globo, by channel and access type.
Money and How Paying Works
Dollar figures use the Banco Central PTAX selling rate of R$5.1253 to US$1, set on Friday 4 September 2026. No rate is published on weekends or on a national holiday, so that is the most recent figure.
The roda in the port is free, and the bars around it work in cash. Carioca da Gema prices per night, so take today’s figure from Sympla.
A service charge of 10 per cent is usually added to bills as serviço in seated houses. It is customary rather than compulsory, so check the bill first.
Getting Home Safe
The metro stops at 23:00 today rather than running late. If your night goes past that, plan a rideshare from the start.
The port district is quiet away from the roda itself. Book a car door to door rather than walking to find one.
Festival traffic pulls cars and surge pricing toward Barra da Tijuca. Allow more time and more money if you are crossing the city late.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Pedra do Sal roda on tonight?
Riotur and the city’s samba map both list it on Mondays, and today is a Monday. It is a street event with no official page, so confirm the listing before travelling on a holiday.
Why is Carioca da Gema open on a Monday?
Its published hours carry a separate line for holiday eves and holidays, with doors at 20:30 and the show at 21:00. It returns to the usual Tuesday pattern tomorrow.
Can I still get into Rock in Rio today?
No. Today is sold out, as are 6 and 12 September. Tickets remained for 11 and 13 September on the last published check, and Ticketmaster is the only official seller.
How late does the metro run today?
MetrôRio keeps its holiday grid of 07:00 to 23:00, at R$7.90 (US$1.54) a leg. Ferries follow the Sunday and holiday timetable.
Sources: Riotur, rodas de samba, Carioca da Gema operating hours, Diário do Rio, June 2026, Carioca da Gema on Sympla, Rock in Rio timings for 7 September, Exame, festival sold-out dates, Holiday transport operation, 7 September
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