The Best Places to Celebrate Halloween this Weekend in Rio

By Jack Arnhold, Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – While the modern incarnation of Halloween as we know it is a distinctly American creation, its popularity has seen it spread to much of the rest of the world. The Cidade Maravilhosa is no different, with many of its greatest venues and party organizers intent on putting on the biggest and most entertaining Halloween party of 2018. Here are some of the best picks for this weekend.

In association with Cineclube LGBT+, the famous Cine Odeon in central Rio will be putting on ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show: A Experiência’ (The Rocky Horror Picture Show: The Experience) with a traditional midnight screening on Friday, October 26th and an additional screening at 10:30PM on Saturday, October 27th.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show is one of those magical nights out you don’t think happen anymore.” says Talita Soares, library science student, “I’d recommend reading up a bit about the traditions, because there is a lot of audience participation.”

Released in 1975, the film quickly became a cult classic and broadcast at special ‘midnight screenings,’ in which audiences not only watched but participated in the film. These sessions, comprised of a costumed audience, props, jokes and a cast of performers acting along to the film, have become something of a Halloween tradition in the United States and throughout the world, and Rio’s Cine Odeon has been part of this alternative night out for the last three years.

On Saturday night in Lapa, Cordão da Bola Preta is putting on a special ‘Festa Bagaceira’ to celebrate the best Halloween traditions of the nineties and early noughties. Get ready for plenty of music from the cheesiest boy and girl bands of your youth, plus some old-school funk and pagoda.

There will also be a big emphasis on dressing the part, and with three Djs (DJ Lindote, DJ Tunai, and DJ Enygma) and an estimated finish time of 5AM, this looks set to be one of the biggest Halloween parties in Rio’s most popular nightlife district.

For something a little more refined, this Friday, October 26th, the iconic Belmond Copacabana Palace is throwing its second annual Halloween party to celebrate the ninety-fifth anniversary of the hotel’s inauguration.

Get ready for some creepy action on the beach front of Copacabana with decorations organized by Daniel Cruz, plus prizes for the best costumes that include a free weekend at the Copacabana Palace, and a free spa and brunch. Musical entertainment comes courtesy of Rapha Lima, Felipe Mar, and Rafael Nazareth.

Taking place on Saturday, October 27th, ‘Ilha do Medo’ (Island of Fear) promises to reenact the ‘Último Baile do Império’ (Last Ball of the Empire) where it originally happened, Rio’s historic ‘Ilha Fiscal’ (Fiscal Island). The Ilha do Medo will present horrifying stories, a haunted castle, spirit summonings, mystical beings, creatures from other planets and, of course, the unforgettable feast that only happens once every century.

Musical guests include Zeh Pretim, João Brasil, SubaCrew, Cix and Ju Schultz. While there will also be an open bar featuring premium vodkas, gins, whiskeys, beers and much more. Plus, if you forget your costume, there are professional make-up artists on-hand to help everyone get into the spooky spirit.

Davi Porfirio, from Caminhos Language Centre, recommends the Halloween party at the Pura Vida Hostel. “Though I’m not sure it’s on this year, that’s where we always go.”

Teatro Odisséia is one of the most popular nightlife destinations in Lapa, and this Saturday, October 27th their Halloween ‘The Purge Party’ is sure to bring the crowds with a host of spooky and fun attractions. During the party, the lights will be intermittently turned off while a free shot is given out to everyone on the dancefloor.

There will be posters of politicians, public figures and celebrities for people to take potshots at, an especially gruesome ‘jelloblood’ shot will be distributed throughout the night, as well as prizes for best costumes, grisly decorations, and scenes from the film ‘The Purge’ projected onto the walls.