Friday 13th March – Sunday 15th March
ABOUT THE ENCONTRO
More than a festival, the Melbourne Samba Encontro is an immersive samba experience. Join us in March 2026 as dancers and drummers from across Australia and beyond come together for a weekend of learning, performance, and celebration — all inspired by the heartbeat of Brazilian culture. This is the biggest samba event that Melbourne has ever seen!
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Melbourne Samba Encontro takes place across three vibrant days of rhythm, movement, and community.
The weekend opens with a welcome party, open to all to connect and celebrate.
Day two features an epic samba showcase, with baterias and dancers from across Australia and beyond bringing the electric spirit of Brazilian rhythm to life.
The final day is dedicated to workshops led by Australia & New Zealand’s leading bateria mestres and dance instructors, before culminating in an electric samba parade through the heart of Melbourne.
Weekend Schedule
Friday 13th March
Welcome Party
Inner North Brewing Co, Brunswick, 7pm – FREE
Enjoy live music, dancing, and a space to connect with sambistas from across Australia. An open Roda de Samba led by Humberto Porto, Josh Bridges, Diego Jezler, Adriana Cavalcanti & Rob Arcari will keep things rolling into the night. Bring an instrument, your dancing shoes and a love for samba.
Food available from ALL DAY BRAZILIAN PASTEL
Saturday 14th March
Melbourne Samba Encontro Showcase
Collingwood Town Hall, 7pm – Tickets here
Experience the explosive energy of Rio Carnival in Australia with a spectacular showcase of drummers and dancers from across the world. Samba Schools, Blocos, Baterias and Passistas join us in Melbourne from across Australia and NZ, to showcase what they do, and share their love of the Carnaval sounds of Brazil.
Featuring :
- Samba Frog – Newcastle
- Banda Ziriguidum – Perth
- Raio De Sol – Canberra
- O’Ziriguidum – Melbourne
- SaSamba – Adelaide
- Bateria 61 – Sydney
- Unidos de Aotearoa – Auckland – NZ
- Bloco 3K – Melbourne
Then party til late with with the help of Hyper Global Hifi Soundsystem with DJ walla C at the controls. It’s gonna be massive!
Melbourne’s best Brazilian BBQ available form BrazOz
Proudly Supported by Umbela Brasil
Sunday 15th March
Samba Drum & Dance Workshops
North Melbourne Community Centre 9:30am -12:30pm
Workshops with visiting and local drum masters and dance tutors.
Unidos da Cacatua Samba Parade
Southbank 2:30pm – FREE
Unidos da Cacatua is The largest samba collective of it’s kind in Australia and New Zealand. A huge 100+ drum section and equally sized wing of dancers are guaranteed to bring the flavour of Rio Carnaval wherever they take flight. This free parade along Melbourne’s iconic Southbank is not to be missed.
FAQs
Do performers need a separate ticket for the Melbourne Encontro Showcase?
If you are performing in the Melbourne Encontro Showcase you do not need a ticket.
If you are not performing in the Melbourne Encontro Showcase you will need to purchase a ticket, even if you are performing in another part of the weekend.
What’s the best way to get to each of the venues?
We recommend grouping together and travelling via your favourite rideshare/taxi provider.
Is there parking available at each location?
Street parking is available at all the weekend’s locations, though check signage.
For the parade on Sunday, we recommend using public transport. Parking is available at Southgate Parking, with a $26 day rate on Sundays.
