Brazil Festival, Horniman Museum

Our beloved Horniman museum in Dulwich is celebrating the richness of Brazilian culture this summer for a series of installations, festivals, dance performances and specially commissioned street art to celebrate vibrant, urban Brazil this July.

Inspired by everyday lives and neighbourhoods, the museum (which has a Brazil exhibition) is giving families a snapshot of life in Brazil with dancing, art, music and photography. Here are our highlights from the summer of fun.

Festa Julina: Sunday 3 July

The Horniman Museum's Festival of Brasil kicks off with the Festa Julina, a traditional Brazilian party in the Horniman Gardens. Encounter live Forró music, Brazilian square dance, street performances, traditional Brazilian games, face painting and more. Festa Julina is inspired by Festa Junina – one of the most important festivals in Brazil after Carnival, celebrating the harvest of the corn in the Brazilian countryside.

Jazz picnics: Thursdays in July

Chill out to Brazilian jazz concerts on the Bandstand terrace with its stunning views across London. The Horniman Café will be open on the terrace, serving light bites and drinks.

Labirinto: Thursday 28 July

A captivating evening of contemporary dance, music and surprising installations curated by award-winning Brazilian contemporary choreographer Jean Abreu and his collaborating artists. Labirinto will show you contemporary Brazil as you've never seen it before.

Horniman Carnival Sunday 4th September

Celebrate the end of the Festival of Brasil with an afternoon of carnival parades, concerts, pop-up performances, Brazilian music, workshops and food.

Season exhibitions

Favela: joy and pain in the city: until 18 September

A free exhibition of unique photographs showing the realities of favela life in Rio de Janeiro by three young Brazilian photographers.

Fauna Brazil: 2 July - 8 January

This photographic display by João Marcos Rosa showcases the incredible wildlife of Brazil including the unique animals of the Atlantic Forest and the tropical wetlands of the Brazilian Pantanal.

Brazilian Street Art: 3 July - 4 September

Explore the Horniman Gardens and discover specially created murals inspired by the Museum’s collections and created by some of Brazil’s most exciting street artists from the LATA Street Culture Festival. Then follow the online trail and discover more commissioned street art around the Horniman and Forest Hill area.

Brazilian Food Garden:

Black turtle beans, sugar cane, coffee and cassava are among the plants featured in a colourful culinary display in the Horniman Food Garden, taking its inspiration from iconic dishes and drinks of Brazil.

Family events

Big Wednesdays: Wednesdays in August

Explore and celebrate Brazil with us, featuring storytelling, dance and films to music performances and art and craft inspired by traditions from all over Brazil. There’ll be different activities each Wednesday.