London Choro Festival 2026 — Media
16–18 October 2026 · Dalston, London
London Choro Festival returns for its second edition this October, bringing leading Brazilian and European choro musicians to London for three days of concerts, workshops, talks and open rodas de choro.
About the festival
London Choro Festival is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit festival dedicated to choro, the first genuinely urban genre in Brazil and one of its richest and most influential musical traditions.
Founded in 2025 by a group of musicians and choro lovers, the festival brings together international artists, London’s growing choro community and audiences discovering the music for the first time.
The inaugural edition featured sold-out concerts, workshops and packed rodas de choro, with participants travelling from around the UK and Europe. More than 250 tickets were sold in the festival’s first year.
The 2026 festival takes place 16–18 October, with concerts and rodas centred at Copper Cats in Dalston, London.
What is choro?
Choro emerged in Rio de Janeiro in the late 19th century and brings together intricate melodies, improvisation, rhythmic energy and close musical interaction.
For newcomers, imagine the playful virtuosity of ragtime, the delicacy of classical music, the spontaneity of jazz, the togetherness of a folk session and African-influenced rhythms — all within a distinctly Brazilian musical tradition.
2026 highlights
Alvorada & Friends Gafieira — Friday 16 October
London-based Alvorada expand into a larger gafieira-style ensemble for the
opening night, including music by Brazilian composer and arranger Moacir
Santos in his centenary year.
Nonato Lima — Saturday 17 October
One of the leading names in Brazilian accordion, joined by Luiz Morais on
seven-string guitar and Adriano Adewale on percussion.
Duo In Uno — Sunday 18 October
Italian saxophonist Giulia Tamanini and Brazilian seven-string guitarist
José Ferreira close the festival’s concert programme.
The weekend also includes workshops, a talk on Pixinguinha and three free rodas de choro, where professional and amateur musicians can play together.
Media resources
Interviews
Festival organisers and participating musicians are available for interviews about:
- choro and its history
- the growth of choro in London and the UK
- Brazilian music and culture
- building a grassroots, volunteer-run music festival
- the 2026 programme and participating artists
Press contact
Riccardo Freixo
London Choro Festival
press@londonchorofestival.org
londonchorofestival.org
Instagram: @londonchorofestival