The Saquá Blues Rock Festival 2026 will be held from Friday, 7 August, to Sunday, 9 August, at Praça do Canhão, in the center of Saquarema. The second edition will have free entry and will bring together ten musical acts, including Blues Etílios, Big Allanbik, Big Chico, Marcos Otaviano and His Blues Band and Red Blues Band.
In the schedule published by Saquarema City Hall on July 15, 2026, the shows appear organized in two-hour intervals. Friday will have three performances, Saturday will feature four — including the festival's late show — and Sunday will end the schedule early.
This guide organizes the schedule in chronological order, calculates how much time to reserve for each night and proposes itineraries for those who want to attend several shows without arriving too early or missing the main attractions.
Essential service of the Saquá Blues Rock Festival 2026
- Dates: August 7, 8 and 9, 2026
- Days of the week: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Location: Praça do Canhão, Saquarema Center, Rio de Janeiro
- Admission: free
- Number of attractions: ten shows, in addition to daily openings
- First activity: Friday, 5pm
- Last scheduled show: Big Chico, Sunday, at 8pm
- Latest show: Big Allanbik, Saturday, 11:30 pm
- Realization: Saquarema City Hall, through the Municipal Department of Sports, Leisure and Tourism
The municipal publication informs the free admission fee, location and times, but does not mention ticket collection, accreditation or advance reservation. It also does not detail the capacity of the space. Therefore, anyone who wants to be closer to the stage should consider arriving before the chosen attraction begins.
Schedule for Friday, August 7th
The opening of the festival is scheduled for 5pm. The three shows start at 6pm, 8pm and 10pm, ending the night under the command of Blues Etílios.
| Official hours | Activity or attraction | Window until next time |
|---|---|---|
| 5pm | Opening of the event | 1 hour |
| 6pm | Daniel King and the Blues Company | 2 hours |
| 8pm | The Trouts | 2 hours |
| 10pm | Ethyl Blues | Last show of the night |
How much time to set aside on Friday
To watch the opening and the three shows, visitors must book approximately six and a half hours, from 5pm until an estimated closing time of around 11:30pm.
The final time is just a planning reference: City Hall has not announced the duration of the shows. The estimate considers around 90 minutes for the last performance, while the two-hour intervals between other times need to accommodate both the show and the stage change.
Those who are mainly interested in The Trouts and Ethyl Blues can arrive between 7pm and 7:30pm, creating space for movement, food and choosing a seat before the 8pm show.
Schedule for Saturday, August 8th
Saturday will be the longest night. The opening starts at 4:30pm and will be followed by four shows, ending with Big Allanbik at 11:30pm.
| Official hours | Activity or attraction | Window until next time |
| 4:30 p.m. | Opening of the event | 1 hour |
| 5:30 p.m. | Beat Shaver Blues | 2 hours |
| 7:30 p.m. | Red Blues Band | 2 hours |
| 9:30 p.m. | Marcos Otaviano and His Blues Band | 2 hours |
| 11:30 p.m. | Big Allanbik | Last show of the night |
How much time to reserve on Saturday
To watch the entire program, the public must plan a stay of approximately eight and a half hours, between 4:30 pm and an estimated closing time of 1 am on Sunday.
This will be the night that requires the most planning for the return. Anyone who relies on buses, app-based transportation, taxis, ridesharing or parking should check availability in advance during the early hours of the morning. The festival publication does not inform special transport operations or extended opening hours for municipal lines.
To watch the last three shows without staying at the venue since the opening, an alternative is to arrive between 6:30pm and 7pm. Thus, the visitor can watch the Red Blues Band, Marcos Otaviano and His Blues Band and Big Allanbik, in an estimated stay of six hours.
Those who only want to see the last two attractions should try to arrive by 8:30pm. In addition to reducing the risk of missing the beginning of Marcos Otaviano, this margin allows you to absorb any queues, blockages or the need to walk to the square.
Schedule for Sunday, August 9th
Sunday's schedule starts earlier. The opening is scheduled for 3pm, followed by Marcello Matheus, Prado Brothers Band and Big Chico.
| Official hours | Activity or attraction | Window until next time |
| 3pm | Opening of the event | 1 hour |
| 4pm | Marcello Matheus | 2 hours |
| 6pm | Prado Brothers Band | 2 hours |
| 8pm | Big Chico | Last show of the festival |
How much time to reserve on Sunday
Those who follow the complete program should book approximately six and a half hours, from 3pm until an estimated closing time of 9:30pm.
Sunday offers the most convenient window for those who prefer to avoid the early hours. To see Prado Brothers Band and Big Chico, the recommended arrival time is between 5pm and 5:30pm. To just watch the closing, it's worth arriving before 7pm, especially if there is a larger crowd for the last show.
Estimated duration of the three nights
The organization did not publish the individual duration of the presentations. The table below is for planning purposes only and does not represent an official end time.
| Date | Official window from opening | Estimated term | Estimated stay |
| Friday, August 7th | 5pm | 11:30 p.m. | 6:30am |
| Saturday, August 8th | 4:30 p.m. | 1am on Sunday | 8:30am |
| Sunday, August 9th | 3pm | 9:30 p.m. | 6:30am |
| Total of three nights | — | — | About 9:30 pm |
The calculation assumes approximately 90 minutes for the last show of each night. The actual duration may be shorter or longer, and delays, sound checks or stage changes may modify the ending.
Itinerary to enjoy the three nights
Friday: gradual arrival and recognition of space
The first night is suitable for getting to know the access points, observing where the food points are and defining a meeting place for the group. Arriving between 5pm and 5:30pm allows you to do this recognition before Daniel King and the Blues Company.
Those who do not intend to stay for six hours can focus their visit on the final block: arrival at 7pm, Os Trutas at 8pm and Blues Etílios at 10pm.
When leaving, observe which accesses are still freer and where the app transport vehicles are able to stop. This recognition may facilitate logistics on Saturday, when the event will end later.
Saturday: longest night
The Sabbath demands the most careful preparation. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, keep your cell phone charged and arrange a return trip before entering the crowded area.
To enjoy as many attractions as possible without staying past opening, arrive around 5pm. It will be possible to follow Beat Shaver Blues at 5:30 pm and head to Big Allanbik at 11:30 pm.
Whoever is in a group must find a meeting point away from the front of the stage. In crowded places, relying solely on messages can be risky due to noise, low battery or signal instability.
Sunday: early schedule and closing
Sunday starts at 3pm and should end earlier. It's the best night for those who want to return before dawn or combine the shows with other activities in the Saquarema Center.
Praça do Canhão is part of the tourist itineraries presented by the municipality and is close to the pedestrian crossing that connects the area to Barrinha. For those staying nearby, getting around on foot can avoid finding parking, as long as the conditions of the route are checked on the day.
How to watch multiple shows without missing changes
The starts were distributed at two-hour intervals. This design allows for short breaks, but does not guarantee two full hours of performance: part of the window can be used to disassemble and prepare the instruments.
To watch two consecutive attractions, avoid leaving the square immediately after the first show. A long meal outside the perimeter can consume most of the range.
A simple strategy is to divide time into three moments:
- First minutes after the show: exit to the bathroom, food or hydration.
- Mid-interval: gradual return to the stage area.
- Last 20 to 30 minutes: stay at the chosen location for the next attraction.
For the main night shows, arriving an hour earlier offers a greater margin than showing up exactly at the advertised time.
Access, transit and transport
City Hall has not yet presented, on the official festival page consulted on August 5, 2026, a specific plan for closures, parking, boarding points or special bus operations. Drivers must follow the signs and avoid counting on parking spaces near Praça do Canhão.
In February 2026, the municipality announced two alternative routes for travel between the Center and Bacaxá: the Green Route, towards Saquarema/Itaúna–Bacaxá, and the Blue Route, towards Bacaxá–Saquarema. They can work as options to avoid Avenida Saquarema during busy periods, but conditions and possible closures need to be confirmed on the day of the festival.
Organized tours must observe an additional rule: buses, minibuses and tourist vans must request prior municipal authorization for access, circulation and parking in Saquarema. The requirement also covers day trip groups without accommodation.
Accessibility still needs confirmation
The official publication confirms that the festival will take place in a public square, but does not inform:
- existence and location of an area reserved for people with disabilities;
- accessible route to the audience or stage;
- availability of accessible bathrooms;
- presence of Libras interpreter;
- rules for companions;
- priority disembarkation points;
- availability of chairs or resting spaces.
These items should not be assumed. People who require a specific structure should consult the Municipal Department of Sport, Leisure and Tourism in advance by email turismo@saquarema.rj.gov.br or the City Hall center by phone (22) 2655-6400. The administrative service provided by the municipality takes place from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm.
Weather forecast for the festival
In the forecast consulted on August 5, 2026, Friday, August 7, appears with increased cloudiness and temperatures between approximately 20 °C and 34 °C. Saturday tends to be cooler, with a minimum of around 20 °C and a maximum of 27 °C. For Sunday, the forecast indicates sun and temperatures between 21 °C and 31 °C.
As the shows span the late afternoon and evening, it is worth wearing light clothing during the day and bringing an additional layer for after sunset. Sunscreen and water are especially important for those who arrive early.
The municipal Civil Defense published a statement on August 5 about moderate to strong winds before the festival. The notice that existed at that time covered the days before the opening, but reinforces the need to consult new bulletins, mainly because the program will be held outdoors.
Forecasts can change quickly. The final decision regarding an umbrella, cape, coat or change of arrival time must be made after a further consultation on the same day.
Checklist before leaving
- Save the schedule on your cell phone and take a screenshot for consultation without the internet.
- Confirm any changes on the City Hall's official channels.
- Check the weather forecast and Civil Defense warnings.
- Plan to return on Saturday, when the last show starts at 11:30 pm.
- Charge your cell phone and, if possible, take an external battery.
- Wear appropriate footwear when standing and moving around the square.
- Arrange a meeting point with companions.
- Do not assume parking availability near the stage.
- Consult the organization in advance when accessibility is needed.
- For children, the elderly or people sensitive to intense sound, consider a position further away from the speakers and appropriate hearing protection.
Can the schedule change?
Yes. Schedules, artists, access conditions and holding of outdoor events may change for technical, operational or meteorological reasons.
On the municipal page consulted on August 5, 2026, the schedule displayed continued to be that published on July 15. As the festival starts on August 7th, the recommendation is to have a final conference before each night, and not just before the first day.
Save this schedule to consult during the weekend and confirm possible changes on the website and official channels of Saquarema City Hall before heading to Praça do Canhão.
