Brazil has a huge community of rock and heavy metal fans, and for decades, promoters have been organizing major music festivals across the country. There’s something for every taste, from indie rock to the most extreme forms of metal.
Most of Brazil’s top rock and metal festivals take place in the Rio–São Paulo axis, ranging from massive mainstream events to underground gatherings.
Here’s a list of seven must-know rock and heavy metal festivals in Brazil — along with a bit of their history, curiosities, and some of the biggest names that have played there.
Get ready to dive into the best of Brazilian rock and metal with this tour through the country’s most important festivals!
Rock and Heavy Metal Festivals in Brazil
1. Bangers Open Air
2. Lollapalooza Brasil
3. Rock in Rio
4. Setembro Negro Festival
5. João Rock
6. Monsters of Rock
7. The Town
1. Bangers Open Air – SÃO PAULO
In just a few editions, Bangers Open Air — formerly known as Summer Breeze Brasil — has become the leading heavy metal festival in Brazil. It takes place in São Paulo, at the Memorial da América Latina, since 2023.
Unlike the major European metal festivals that are held far from urban centers, Bangers Open Air chose a venue in the city’s west side, close to downtown and easily accessible by public transportation.
Usually held in the last week of April or the first week of May, the event runs for two or three days and draws around 15,000 people per day.
Avantasia, Epica, Powerwolf, Anthrax, Sabaton, Mr. Big, Sepultura, Lord of the Lost, Mercyful Fate, Saxon, Kreator, Blind Guardian, and Accept are among the acts that have already performed there.
Besides multiple stages, the festival features entertainment areas, food and drink options, merchandising stands, and even a kids’ zone.
Because it’s an urban event, many fans traveling from outside São Paulo stay in nearby hotels, hostels, or apartments. Public transport access is easy via the Palmeiras–Barra Funda subway and train station.
Location: Memorial da América Latina – Barra Funda – São Paulo
When: Usually the last week of April or the first week of May
Capacity: Around 15,000 people per day
Site: https://bangersopenair.com
2. Lollapalooza – SÃO PAULO
Lollapalooza Brazil has been held in São Paulo since 2012. The festival is famous for its eclectic lineup, featuring indie, rock, punk, pop, and other genres from around the world and Brazil.
Since 2014, the Interlagos Circuit (Autódromo de Interlagos) has been the festival’s home. It’s the Brazilian edition of the event created by Perry Farrell, vocalist of Jane’s Addiction, in the early 1990s in the U.S.
Usually taking place in March, Lollapalooza runs for three days and draws around 100,000 people per day.
Past performers include Pearl Jam, blink‐182, Arcade Fire, Lenny Kravitz, Limp Bizkit, Offspring, The Strokes, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Hozier, Kings of Leon, Rancid, Olivia Rodrigo, Alanis Morissette, The Killers, The 1975, and Arctic Monkeys.
The festival offers multiple stages, entertainment areas, food and beverage courts, and a variety of merchandise.
Because of the massive crowd, public transportation is the best option — nearby streets are closed to cars. The Autódromo train station (Line 9 – Emerald) is about 1 km from the entrance gates.
Location: Autódromo de Interlagos – Av. Sen. Teotônio Vilela, 261 – São Paulo
When: Usually the third week of March
Capacity: Around 100,000 people per day
Site: https://www.lollapaloozabr.com
3. Rock in Rio – RIO DE JANEIRO
The most famous Brazilian music festival is undoubtedly Rock in Rio. Its first edition took place in 1985, lasting ten days and featuring major international and Brazilian artists.
Over more than four decades, the festival has grown to include more genres beyond rock and metal. After editions in 1991 and 2001, Rock in Rio became a biennial event starting in 2011, always held in September.
The festival happens in the Cidade do Rock at Parque dos Atletas, in Rio’s West Zone — a massive area of 385,000 m² that can hold around 100,000 people.
Bands such as Iron Maiden, Green Day, AC/DC, Metallica, Sepultura, Dream Theater, Foo Fighters, Fall Out Boy, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Scorpions, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Deep Purple, Guns N’ Roses, and Avenged Sevenfold have rocked its stages.
The venue features countless food and drink options, entertainment areas, and branded attractions.
Public transport serves the venue, but the festival recommends using the official Primeira Classe executive bus service, which departs from multiple points across Rio, including Ipanema, Copacabana, also Petrópolis, Niterói, and both airports — Santos Dumont and Galeão.
Location: Cidade do Rock – Parque dos Atletas, Av. Salvador Allende, 6500 – Barra Olímpica, Rio de Janeiro
When: Usually the second and third week of September
Capacity: Around 100,000 people per day
Site: https://rockinrio.com
4. Setembro Negro Festival – SÃO PAULO
Setembro Negro Festival (Portuguese for Black September) brings together bands from the Brazilian and international metal underground scenes. Over the years, it has taken place at various venues in São Paulo, such as VIP Station and Carioca Club.
First held in 2002, the festival focuses on Thrash, Heavy, Doom, and Black Metal and related subgenres.
Organized by Tumba Productions, it usually happens during the first week of September, over three days.
Bands like Exodus, Morbid Angel, Gorgoroth, Sodom, Torture Squad, Dark Funeral, Morbid Saint, At The Gates, Razor, Purgatory, and Mutilator have performed there.
As it’s hosted in well-known São Paulo venues, access by public transport or car is generally easy.
Location: São Paulo (venue may vary each year)
When: Usually the first week of September
Capacity: 1,000 to 1,500 people per day, depending on the venue
Site: https://tumbaproductions.com.br/site/#setembro-negro
5. João Rock – RIBEIRÃO PRETO
João Rock is one of Brazil’s main rock festivals. It takes place in Ribeirão Preto, a city about 315 km from São Paulo’s capital, and has been held annually since 2002.
Over its 20+ editions, the event has grown from 12,000 attendees in its first year to around 70,000 people, spread across a vast 210,000 m² area.
While focused on rock, the festival also embraces Brazilian Popular Music (MPB), rap, and reggae.
Acts like CPM 22, Titãs, Pitty, NX Zero, Detonautas, Criolo, O Rappa, Os Paralamas do Sucesso, Capital Inicial, Os Mutantes, and Nação Zumbi have graced its stages.
João Rock features multiple stages, entertainment areas, brand activations, and food and beverage options.
Fans can reach the venue via public transport or festival transfers departing from Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, and Campinas.
Location: Parque Permanente de Exposições – Av. Orestes Lopes de Camargo, Ribeirão Preto
When: Usually the second week of June
Capacity: Around 70,000 people
Site: https://www.joaorock.com.br
6. Monsters of Rock – SÃO PAULO
Monsters of Rock is a legendary festival dedicated to hard rock and heavy metal. It currently takes place at Allianz Parque, in São Paulo’s west zone.
Created in the 1980s in England, the festival became a global phenomenon with editions in countries such as Brazil, Germany, and Argentina. The first Brazilian edition was held in 1994 at Estádio do Pacaembu.
The event usually takes place in April, lasting one or two days, and draws around 55,000 people.
Bands like Kiss, Scorpions, Deep Purple, Ozzy Osbourne, Aerosmith, Judas Priest, Europe, Slipknot, and Whitesnake have played there.
Since it’s held inside a stadium, the structure differs from open-air festivals, but there are still plenty of food, drink, and merchandise options available.
Visitors from outside São Paulo often stay in nearby hotels or hostels. Access is easy via the Palmeiras-Barra Funda subway and train station, and there are several parking options nearby.
Location: Allianz Parque – Av. Francisco Matarazzo, 1705 / Rua Palestra Itália, 200 – São Paulo
When: Usually in April
Capacity: Around 55,000 people
Site: https://www.instagram.com/monstersofrockbr
7. The Town – SÃO PAULO
The Town is a major music festival held at the Autódromo de Interlagos (Interlagos Circuit) in São Paulo since 2023, created by Roberto Medina, the founder of Rock in Rio.
The concept is similar to its “brother” festival in Rio: a massive celebration featuring artists from different genres, including rock and heavy metal.
Like Rock in Rio, The Town is a biennial event, taking place every September — but in alternate years. The Interlagos Circuit can host around 100,000 people per day during festivals.
Previous performers include Green Day, Foo Fighters, Bad Religion, Bruce Dickinson, Garbage, CPM 22, Pitty, Capital Inicial, Iggy Pop, and Wet Leg.
The festival features several stages, entertainment areas, and numerous food, drink, and merchandise options.
Due to its large crowds, public transportation is highly recommended, as nearby streets are closed to vehicles. The Autódromo train station (Line 9 – Emerald) is about 1 km from the gates.
Location: Autódromo de Interlagos – Av. Sen. Teotônio Vilela, 261 – São Paulo
When: Usually the first and second week of September
Capacity: Around 100,000 people per day
Site: https://thetown.com.br
More and more rock and metal fans are traveling across Brazil to experience these and many other festivals.
Have you ever attended any of them — or know other great rock events in the country? Share your experiences in the comments!
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