FORRÓ NEW YORK WEEKEND
FESTIVALS
Forró New York Weekend is a recurring forró music and dance festival based in New York City, United States.
It takes place in seasonal editions throughout the year, bringing together dancers, musicians, DJs, and artists around forró.
The event is part of the forró scene in New York City and the broader network of forró festivals in the United States and Canada.
THE EXPERIENCE
Each edition of Forró New York Weekend unfolds as a complete weekend experience in New York City.
Every edition is different, featuring a rotating lineup of instructors, musicians, DJs, venues, and class themes.
During the day, participants attend workshops focused on technique, musicality, repertoire of movements, partner connection, and creativity. Classes are shaped by the specialties of the invited instructors and are organized across different levels.
At night, the focus shifts to live music, social dancing, DJ sets, and interaction within the forró scene.
The festival is designed for dancers of all levels, offering multiple entry points for beginners while maintaining depth for more experienced forrozeiros.
HISTORY
Forró New York Weekend began in 2019 in New York City, United States.
2019 - First edition (Autumn)
2021 - Return edition after the pandemic (Autumn)
2022 - 3 seasonal editions
2023 - 3 seasonal editions
2024 - 3 seasonal editions
2025 - 3 seasonal editions
14 editions have been held in New York City so far.
Each year, the festival is organized into seasonal editions:
-
Winter Edition (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
-
Spring Edition (2022, 2023, 2025)
-
Summer Edition (2024)
-
Autumn Edition (2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
Today, Forró New York Weekend is one of the most established recurring forró festivals in North America.
Watch a montage of images from the first edition of Forró New York Weekend in 2019.
This was the beginning of the festival in New York City.
WHO IS THIS EVENT FOR?
Forrozeiros (Passionate Forró Dancers):
Are you an experienced forró dancer who lives and breathes the rhythm of this captivating dance?
Our festival is your ultimate playground in NYC.
With three nights of fun musical performances and festivities, you'll find yourself immersed in the heart and soul of forró.
Challenge your skills on the dance floor, connect with fellow forrozeiros, and groove to the beats that make your heart race.
Plus, take your dance expertise to the next level with advanced dance workshops led by renowned instructors
Dance Beginners and Culture Explorer:
Are you a dance enthusiast with little or no forró experience but an eagerness to explore new cultures?
The Forró New York Weekend welcomes you with open arms. We offer beginner-friendly classes to introduce you to the world of forró.
Immerse yourself in approximately 20 hours of cultural activities.
Join our beginner dance workshops, where experienced instructors will teach you the basics of Forró, so you can confidently join in the dance festivities.
This event is the perfect opportunity to start your forró journey, make new friends, and discover the vibrant Brazilian culture through dance.
Dancers with Diverse Backgrounds:
Are you a dancer from a diverse background? Maybe you dance salsa, zouk ou tango? Are you curious to learn about Forró?
The Forró New York Weekend is a celebration of inclusivity and diversity. Join us in embracing the universal language of dance. Whether you come from Brazil, the United States, Europe, or anywhere else, this event is a melting pot of cultures. Immerse yourself in the rhythms of Forró, connect with a global community of dancers, and broaden your horizons.
Take part in our diverse dance workshops, where you can explore the unique styles and expressions of forró.
ARTISTS AND INSTRUCTORS
Each edition features instructors, musicians, and DJs from New York City, across the United States, and internationally.
Guest artists regularly come from Brazil, Canada, and Europe, alongside participants based in the local New York forró scene.
Watch one of the most popular videos from our YouTube channel, recorded during the Winter Edition 2022, shortly after the pandemic period.
This video is part of a musicality class led by Rafael, founder of Forró New York Weekend, together with guest instructor and long-time collaborator Camila Alves.
VIDEO ARCHIVE & ONLINE CONTENT
Forró New York Weekend has a growing archive of video content documenting the festival’s editions over the years.
A curated selection of performances, classes, and social dance moments is available on our official YouTube channel.
These videos include highlights from different editions of the festival, capturing workshops, live music, and social dancing in New York City.
In addition to public content, some full classes and workshop recordings from the festival have been professionally recorded and are available as part of the Forró New York online courses.
This creates a bridge between the live festival experience in New York City and ongoing learning through online education.
Watch one of the most memorable performances from Forró New York Weekend (Autumn 2023).
This show features the project “Forró Sem Palavras”, created in New York City by Rafael Piccolotto de Lima.
The performance took place at National Sawdust in Brooklyn, one of the most unique and technologically advanced performance venues in New York.
This edition brought together leading musicians from the New York forró scene and featured a special guest musician, Cléber Almeida, known for his work with Trio Macaíba.
FESTIVAL TESTIMONIALS
The video below features testimonials recorded during the Forró New York Weekend.
Participants share their personal perspectives on the festival, including their impressions of the classes, social dancing, music, and the overall atmosphere of the event.
These testimonials offer an authentic view of what it feels like to be part of the Forró New York Weekend community in New York City, bringing together dancers from different countries and backgrounds in a shared experience of forró.
Noelia Martinez, Spain
"I've tried several dances and forro is the best one. It is relaxed and casual but at the same time dynamic and joyful.
The forro community is super welcoming and inclusive.
I'd definitely recommend anyone to check out these classes."
Genevieve Marie Aidala, NYC
"Forró is so much fun! From day 1 I was greeted with a friendly, fun community and soon was hooked.
I’ve met some of a lot of cool people dancing forró and have had a lot of fun.
Seriously highly recommended for anyone to try!"
Marcelo Ramires, Seattle
"The Forro New York community is really nice!
The students are fun, and there are places to go dance Forró after class!"
COMMUNITY AND LOCAL SCENE
Forró New York Weekend has a strong connection to the local forró community in New York City.
Local instructors and artists are consistently included in the festival program.
The event supports:
-
local teachers and dancers
-
regional musicians
-
emerging artists in the forró scene
It contributes to the development of the forró dance community in New York City and across the United States.
Members of the Forró New York Association receive 25% discount on the festival.
For participants planning to attend multiple activities throughout the year, this can be a valuable option.
FORRÓ NEW YORK WEEKEND - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO I NEED A PARTNER TO ATTEND?
No. You do not need a partner. Classes are designed with constant partner rotation, so participants dance with different people throughout the workshops. In social parties as well, there is a strong culture of inclusivity and openness. Even if you come alone, you will have plenty of opportunities to dance and connect, as long as you stay present on the dance floor, participate during classes, and feel comfortable inviting others to dance. Our community is very welcoming and social interaction is part of the experience.
DO I NEED PRIOR EXPERIENCE TO JOIN?
No prior experience is required. We offer a Beginners Pass specifically designed for complete beginners and for dancers with limited experience who still feel insecure in their dance. This pass provides a general overview of essential forró concepts, basic movements, and practical tools to apply during the weekend and continue developing afterward. It is also valuable for revisiting fundamentals such as core skills, movement vocabulary, and partner work in a supportive environment with other beginners.
HOW ARE THE LEVELS STRUCTURED?
The festival is organized into three levels: Beginners - For people starting out or still building basic forró skills. Focus on fundamentals and essential movement vocabulary. All Levels - Open classes accessible to everyone. These include topics such as musicality for dancers, connection, embrace, and broader conceptual classes that encourage interaction across levels. Intermediate / Advanced - For dancers with solid technical foundations and a standard forró vocabulary. These classes explore more complex techniques, combinations, and movement structures built on core skills.
WHERE DOES THE EVENT TAKE PLACE?
Forró New York Weekend takes place in New York City, with Manhattan as the main hub. Each edition uses multiple venues across the city, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. The use of different spaces is intentional, creating a more diverse and dynamic experience through partnerships with venues around the city. Future editions may also include collaborations in New Jersey.
HOW DO I BUY TICKETS?
Tickets are sold directly through the website in limited batches. Main options include Full Pass and Beginners Pass, along with occasional day passes or individual event tickets depending on the edition. The Full Pass is the most popular option, offering access to all activities and the best overall value. Tickets are released in waves, and pricing increases over time. Early buyers secure the lowest prices, while later purchases are more expensive.
CAN I ATTEND ONLY THE PARTIES?
Yes. We offer party-only passes, allowing participation exclusively in the social dance events. Some parties are also open or free-entry in collaboration with venues, encouraging participation from the broader public, with support through consumption at the space. This makes it possible to experience the festival even without attending workshops.
WHAT STYLE OF FORRÓ IS DANCED AT THE FESTIVAL?
The festival focuses on Forró Pé de Serra, Forró Universitário, and Forró Roots. These are the main styles practiced in international forró communities outside Brazil. Occasionally, guest instructors introduce other influences, such as Forró Eletrônico, but the core aesthetic remains centered on traditional and contemporary social forró. The festival aligns with the stylistic approach found in major events such as Itaúnas (Brazil), Baião Vai (Lisbon), and Vem Vem (Switzerland), as well as established forró scenes in São Paulo venues like Canto da Ema and Remelexo.
FURTHER READING
Some reflections about social dancing, connection, community, and the kind of environment we try to cultivate in our events:
→ Why the Forró Community Feels So Welcoming for Beginners
→ Reciprocity in Social Dancing
→ What Is a Forró Festival? Complete Guide to Social Dance Immersion, Classes, and Music