Sou Manaus festival draws 560,000 people and boosts local economy

The Sou Manaus Passo a Paço 2026 festival has concluded its main musical performances, drawing a record 560,000 attendees over its first four days. According to Mayor Renato Junior, the event generated approximately R$ 165 million for the local economy, impacting sectors such as hospitality, commerce, and transport, and creating over 18,000 direct and indirect jobs. The festival also facilitated the collection of 80 tons of non-perishable food through access wristband exchanges, intended for vulnerable families and communities affected by drought.

In addition to the musical shows, the festival has expanded its cultural reach through the Cine Sou Manaus initiative at the Manaus Archaeology Center, which aims to promote local audiovisual productions. The municipal government plans to reduce public spending on future editions by seeking increased private sponsorship, with the goal of making the event a national and international attraction.

Simultaneously, the Semana do Cinema (Cinema Week) is being held across various Brazilian locations from September 10 to 16. This national campaign, organized by FENEEC and ABRAPLEX, offers discounted movie tickets, with prices starting at R$ 10 in participating cinemas and shopping centers to encourage cultural access.