Sao Paulo’s Anniversary Features Extensive Free Programming

by Jonathan Dubinski January 24, 2026

written by Jonathan Dubinski January 24, 2026

Key Takeaways

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São Paulo is celebrating its 472nd anniversary this Sunday with various cultural events, including free admission to museums and pre-Carnival bloco performances.
The Bixiga tradition of distributing birthday cakes will take place in two locations: Rua Rui Barbosa and the Municipal Market.
Pinacoteca, Catavento, and other cultural centers will host diverse programs throughout the weekend with free admission. Notable events include performances by Afro Ilu Oba De Min, batucadas das negras, conversations about indigenous cultures, dance performances, and family-friendly activities.
Sabores dos Bairros festival returns for its second year, showcasing São Paulos diverse culinary scene with dishes from various neighborhoods like Liberdade, Mooca, and Bom Retiro. The free event takes place on Professor Frederico Hermann Junior Avenue. Additional information about other city birthday events can be found on the City Hall and São Paulo Secretariat of Culture websites.

São Paulo will celebrate its 472nd anniversary this Sunday with a vibrant lineup of cultural events. Many museums will offer free admission, and pre-Carnival bloco performances will take place throughout the city. The 40-year Bixiga cake tradition continues with two “Happy Birthday to the City” parties: one on Rua Rui Barbosa in Bixiga, with cake distribution at noon, and another at the Municipal Market, where free cake will be available with a password obtained starting at 10:30 AM. The Portuguese Language Museum, Catavento, Pinacoteca, and other cultural centers will also host diverse programs with free admission throughout the weekend.

At Pinacoteca, Afro Ilu Oba De Min, known for promoting Black and female culture through art and politics, will present pre-Carnival performances, bringing drums, dance, and song to the contemporary Praca da Pina. At Catavento museum, a samba performance called “batucadas das negras” begins at noon. The Indigenous Cultures Museum will host a conversation at 10:30 AM about territory, resistance, and city occupation featuring Akayse Fulnio and Kerexu Mirin, moderated by Emerson Bare Puranga. The Favelas Museum will present Perifanalise, a dance performance starting at 1:30 PM, followed by Di Quebradinha, an event offering workshops and street games for children starting at 2 PM. The Culture Factories will offer samba, parades, gravity-defying rollim car races, K-pop performances, scavenger hunts, and other family-friendly activities. Adding to the festivities, the Sabores dos Bairros festival returns for its second year, blending food, music, and culture to showcase São Paulo’s diverse culinary scene with dishes from neighborhoods like Liberdade, Mooca, and Bom Retiro. Attendees can sample classic options such as mortadella sandwiches, pastels, and pizzas. The free event takes place on Professor Frederico Hermann Junior Avenue, near the Pinheiros Subprefecture and Pinheiros Station.

São Paulo’s Birthday Events Beyond Spectacle – Explore More on City Hall & Culture Sites

Details on other city birthday events are available on the City Hall and São Paulo Secretariat of Culture websites.

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