The largest samba festival outside Rio is celebrating its 28th anniversary, and in 2026, well over 3,000 artists and 200,000 visitors from all over the world will once again bring Brazilian flair to Coburg city centre. The festival has become one of the city of Coburg’s major attractions, as well as an important factor in its image and economy. In 2011, the festival was awarded the ‘Bavarian Export Prize’ by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs. According to calculations, around 4.5 million euros in additional revenue flows into the city during the Samba weekend, benefiting hotels, restaurants and stall operators in particular. In 2014, the festival was delighted to receive the Edison Carneiro Award for ‘Best Samba Event Outside Brazil’. Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder honoured the Samba Festival with the Bavarian Heritage Award in 2018.

Sambafestival Coburg