What’s On in Latin America: The Week of October 5–11, 2026
Latin America · What’s On
Key Facts
- —The vote Brazil’s first-round election is on Sunday 4 October, with results from 5 p.m. Brasília time (4 p.m. US Eastern). The result is not known as this guide is written. If no presidential candidate wins a majority of valid votes, the runoff is Sunday 25 October.
- —The data Colombia publishes September inflation on Wednesday 7 October, Mexico on Thursday 8 October and Brazil on Friday 9 October. Peru’s central bank announces its October rate decision, and its calendar gives the date.
- —On stage BTS plays three sold-out nights in Lima on Wednesday 7, Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October. Pablo Alborán plays Mexico City on Thursday 8 and Friday 9 October, and Iron Maiden plays Bogotá on Sunday 11.
- —The deadline Brazil’s betting ban lets account holders withdraw until 11:59 p.m. on Monday 5 October; apps and sites are blocked from midnight, and banks repay leftover balances from 9 to 14 October.
- —The long weekend Chile and Colombia have a three-day weekend, Saturday 10 to Monday 12 October, for the 12 October holiday. Peru has a holiday on Thursday 8 and Ecuador on Friday 9.
- —What comes next Colombia plays Peru in Miami on Tuesday 6 October, and the Copa Libertadores semi-finals begin on Wednesday 14 October.
Your Latin America week ahead for 5–11 October 2026 begins with Brazil counting its first-round votes and ends with a long holiday weekend in Chile and Colombia. In between, September inflation prints arrive from Colombia, Mexico and Brazil, and Peru’s central bank announces its October rate decision.
This guide was written on Sunday 4 October, before any result. Every date is checked against an official calendar, a venue or a ticketing page, and local-currency prices carry an approximate US$ conversion at the rates cited below.
Politics you will feel on the street
Brazil holds the first round of its general election on Sunday 4 October. Polls close at 5 p.m. Brasília time, and the electoral court (TSE) begins releasing results at 5 p.m., which is 4 p.m. on the US East Coast. The result was not known when this guide was published.
Brazilians are choosing a president, 27 governors, 54 of the 81 Senate seats and the full Chamber of Deputies. If no presidential candidate takes more than half of the valid votes, the two leaders meet in a runoff on Sunday 25 October. Expect the first days of the week to be dominated by that arithmetic: who finished first, who is second, and which parties back whom.
For US readers, the main exposure is the real. Brazilian assets often move on election outcomes, and the first trading session after the vote is Monday 5 October. The real closed on Friday 2 October at about R$5.22 per US$ (EODHD).
Deadlines and money
Brazil’s betting ban reaches its first hard deadline on Monday 5 October. The government announced the ban on Friday 25 September through a provisional measure, which still needs a vote in Congress. New deposits stopped that day. Account holders can withdraw balances until 11:59 p.m. on Monday 5 October.
From midnight into Tuesday 6 October, app stores and internet providers block the sites and apps. On 7 and 8 October the operators report each bettor’s balance to the banks. From 9 to 14 October, banks repay what is left to account holders. From 14 October, the state bank Caixa may step in where a bank transfer cannot be completed.
Inflation is the week’s main data theme. Dates below come from the national statistics offices.
Colombia publishes September consumer prices on Wednesday 7 October. DANE, the statistics office, normally publishes on the fifth working day of the month. August showed 0.39% for the month and 6.24% over twelve months.
Peru’s central bank, the BCRP, announces its October monetary programme this month; check the BCRP calendar for the exact date. The policy rate has been 4.25% for twelve months. The bank last held it on Thursday 10 September, with annual inflation at 4.4% in August, above its 1–3% target range. Peru also has a public holiday on Thursday 8 October, the Battle of Angamos.
Mexico publishes September inflation on Thursday 8 October, when the statistics office INEGI reports the national index. Annual inflation was 3.42% in the first half of September.
Brazil’s IPCA for September, the official inflation gauge, comes from IBGE on Friday 9 October. August showed a fall of 0.32%, with 4.22% over twelve months. The preview index, the IPCA-15, rose 0.70% in September, so expect the full reading to be watched closely for any rebound.
Exchange rates used for the US$ figures, EODHD closes of Friday 2 October: Mexico about 18.15 pesos, Colombia about 3,263 pesos and Peru about 3.43 soles per US$.
Culture and events this week
Lima is the week’s capital of live music. BTS plays the Estadio San Marcos on Wednesday 7, Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October. All three shows are sold out. Official prices ran from S/483 (about US$141) to S/851 (about US$248), with a soundcheck package at S/2,591 (about US$755). Entry runs through the Quentro app, and each ticket can be transferred only once.
Mexico City has Pablo Alborán at the Auditorio Nacional on Thursday 8 and Friday 9 October, both at 8:30 p.m. Tickets run from MXN 558 (about US$31) to MXN 4,030 (about US$222), including fees. A second night on Thursday 8 was added after the first sold well, and availability for Friday is limited.
Bogotá gets Iron Maiden on Sunday 11 October at the Estadio Vive Claro, with gates at 4 p.m. and the show at 6:30 p.m., according to Ticketmaster Colombia. Tickets run from COP 385,000 (about US$118) to COP 842,000 (about US$258), including fees.
On the pitch, Colombia plays Peru at the Inter Miami stadium in Florida on Tuesday 6 October. Kick-off is 6:45 p.m. in Colombia, which is 7:45 p.m. in Miami.
Heads-ups for travellers and new arrivals
The long weekend. Monday 12 October is a public holiday in Chile and Colombia, according to the official calendars. That makes a three-day weekend from Saturday 10, so expect busier roads and airports from Friday evening 9 October.
Holidays during the week. Peru marks the Battle of Angamos on Thursday 8 October. Ecuador marks the Independence of Guayaquil on Friday 9, according to Ecuadorian press reports. Expect public offices to be closed on both days.
Weather. The US National Hurricane Center’s outlook of 3 October expected a low-pressure area to form south of Mexico’s southern coast late this weekend or early next week. It said a tropical depression was likely to develop in the middle to latter part of the week. Check the latest advisory before booking Pacific coast trips for the weekend.
Looking ahead
Monday 12 October brings the holiday in Chile and Colombia. The Copa Libertadores semi-finals start on Wednesday 14 October with Fluminense against Palmeiras at the Maracanã, and on Thursday 15 with Estudiantes against Flamengo. The return legs are on 21 and 22 October.
Brazil’s runoff, if needed, is Sunday 25 October.
More: Latin America news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Background: Brazil Elections 2026: Complete Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens after Brazil’s first-round vote?
The TSE begins releasing results at 5 p.m. Brasília time on Sunday 4 October, which is 4 p.m. US Eastern. If no presidential candidate wins more than half of the valid votes, the top two meet in a runoff on Sunday 25 October.
When is the deadline for betting accounts in Brazil?
Withdrawals are open until 11:59 p.m. on Monday 5 October 2026. Sites and apps are blocked from midnight into Tuesday 6 October. Banks repay remaining balances from 9 to 14 October.
When is September inflation published in Latin America?
Colombia is scheduled for Wednesday 7 October, Mexico for Thursday 8 October, and Brazil’s IPCA for Friday 9 October. Peru’s central bank announces its October rate decision, and its calendar gives the date.
What are the biggest concerts this week?
BTS plays Lima’s Estadio San Marcos on 7, 9 and 10 October, all sold out. Pablo Alborán plays Mexico City on 8 and 9 October, and Iron Maiden plays Bogotá on Sunday 11 October.
Is there a long weekend in Latin America?
Yes, in Chile and Colombia. Monday 12 October is a public holiday in both, so the weekend runs from Saturday 10 to Monday 12. Peru has a holiday on Thursday 8 October and Ecuador on Friday 9.
Connected Coverage
Sources: TSE on the 4 October vote and results release; IBGE, INEGI and DANE on release calendars; BCRP on its monetary programme; Brazilian government and Brazilian press on the betting ban; Infobae, La República and RPP on BTS in Lima; Auditorio Nacional and Ticketmaster on Pablo Alborán; Ticketmaster Colombia, El Tiempo and El Espectador on Iron Maiden in Bogotá; Colombia’s Finance Ministry and Chilean press on the 12 October holiday; Ecuadorian press on the 9 October holiday; CONMEBOL on the Copa Libertadores semi-finals; US National Hurricane Center; EODHD for exchange rates. Local-currency figures carry approximate US$ conversions at the rates cited; prices and availability move.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief