Have you ever imagined going back to the Middle Ages for an entire weekend? Next weekend, the Medieval Experience arrives to transform Ibirapuera into a true historic sports arena, featuring music, workshops, food, and even Viking reenactments! All activities are free, and you won’t want to miss it!
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this year’s themed event is part of the program for the 19th São Paulo Sports Festival.
The initiative encourages the use of public spaces and promotes physical activity to combat a sedentary lifestyle and expand access to sports and…
Although it features “unusual” disciplines, such as medieval combat and Historical EuropeanMartial Arts (HEMA), the Medieval Experience perfectly aligns with the city government’s mission and is therefore included in the program.
About the Medieval Experience
Created in 2016 by Monalisa Lobo —a Medieval Combat fighter—and Daniel Costa Felipe, the event is a themed celebration focused on historical reenactments and sports activities involving armor, costumes, knights, elves, witches, Vikings, and immersive settings.
In fact, you can spot references to pop culture classics like Harry Potter, Vikings, and Dungeons & Dragons.
To complete the atmosphere, the event features folk and Celtic music as well as dance workshops. Attendees can also enjoy RPG sessions, themed workshops, board games, and arts and crafts.
In addition, be sure to pick up a souvenir at the Mercado de Mercadores, which brings together artisans and products inspired by medieval themes.
Medieval sports and combat
The main highlight of this year’s program, the Historical Medieval Fencing Tournament, promises to bring together more than 80 athletes, making it the largest ever held in Latin America! Among the participants are Murilo Peroni ( current national champion) and Leonardo Giacomini ( current national runner-up).
Medieval Combat also features Brazilian athletes who have won awards in national, South American, and international competitions. One such athlete is Ernesto Sampaio, a silver and bronze medalist at world tournaments in this sport in 2023 and 2024.
Overall, the Medieval Experience features other attractions, such as rock climbing and archery, in addition to offering the public hands-on experiences with medieval fencing and swordplay.
Viking Market and Cuisine
Another major highlight of the program, the food court features around 25 food tents offering dishes inspired by European cuisines. In addition, there are contemporary options and themed dishes inspired by the worlds of Harry Potter, Vikings, and Dungeons & Dragons.
Meanwhile, the Viking Market offers Scandinavian culinary options, such as Æbleflæsk, a dish prepared according to a historic recipe preserved in a museum in Denmark. Visitors will also find food stalls featuring traditional dishes from Lithuania, Russia, and Poland.
To accompany the festivities, the main beverage is mead. Made by fermenting honey, it has historically been associated with the peoples of medieval Europe.
Event Details:
- Date: September 19 and 20, 2026
- Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Location: Ibirapuera Modelódromo / Ayrton Senna Square (Rua Curitiba, 290 – Paraíso)
- Admission: Free (the event organizers encourage donations of 1 kg of non-perishable food or pet food)
