Carnaval in Rio
A cultural tradition since the colonial era! History, practical facts, dates and stories.
Street Carnaval
made easy
Like all Cariocas we have our favorite blocos. And we pick out all the good ones.
Traditional or themed, neighborly or huge, we will find something for you!
Rio Carnaval Samba Parade
Understand how everything works, we have decades of Carioca expertise.
Which sectors, face value of tickets, transportation and more tips .
Carnaval in Rio
Where to Stay
In addition to the main event, there are pre-Carnaval and post-Carnaval deals.
Get the best offers with our favorite booking tools!
Off-Carnaval,
parties & special events.
We help you put it all together smoothly with daily suggestions!
Keep connected to our Carnaval Party Planner with hand-picked events!
Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro
Our most festive occasion of the year has been a tradition since the colonial era. There are reports of royal children misbehaving in the Entrudo. Celebrating Carnaval in Rio from a tender age is not an exception. It is the norm. Street celebrations were influenced by all the diversity in the city, including our African roots. These days, there are over 500 street events in a season!
Costume Balls were apparently introduced by the husband of an Italian opera singer who owned a hotel in Centro. In the golden era, fabulous balls at Theatro Municipal and Copacabana Palace attracted international celebrations and the glitterati. Now, balls come in all concepts, formats, and themes. Off-Carnaval parties feature the best DJs from around the world.
Many consider the Carnaval Samba Parade the greatest show on earth. We have to agree. Big-leaguers parade on Carnaval Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday at Sambódromo. Four Samba Schools perform to an audience of over 80 thousand live spectators each night. We know the scene inside out and love sharing information with our visitors!
Rio Carnaval History & Trivia
Rio Carnaval Samba Parade
Before the Sambódromo was launched in 1984, the Samba Parade happened in the street. The structure was an instant success. It underwent several renovations, following the original plan by architect Niemeyer, and the number of seats has increased considerably.
Guests can choose luxury catered boxes, runway boxes, bleacher seats, or popular sectors. There are tickets in all price ranges. Access Groups Samba Schools take over the Samba Runway on Friday and Saturday. The winner will be promoted next year. Special Group big-leaguers parade on Carnaval Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. How you participate in this equation is your choice. Watch or join in and march with a Samba School.
Although we do not sell tickets or costumes, we give you the elements to get the best deals. We have two decades of professional experience with Carnaval in Rio and a lifetime as Cariocas. We marched with several schools and watched the parade from all available seats and sectors. Let us help you better understand how the parade concept works. You will enjoy a much more enjoyable experience and impress your friends!
Liesa publishes the official ticket prices for most sectors. They are sold online, sometimes on a single day. Leftover tickets, if any, are available until a few days before Carnaval. Always compare what brokers are offering and consider the markup and benefits. Professional companies produce Luxury catered boxes, and individual tickets are only available through authorized retailers. Some tickets are non-transferable.
Carnaval Parade & Sambódromo
Bandas & Blocos - Street Carnaval
Street Carnaval festivities happen all over town, and events are free. You are welcome to join in and participate. There are all sizes and formats of blocos. The oldest is Cordão do Bola Preta, over 100 years old. The first blocos start four weeks before the official date, and the season lasts over a month.
The best blocos are always the ones where your friends are. We pick out our favorite blocos and publish them as featured suggestions. Events have to be authorized by the city. Every year, they put together this giant puzzle with over 400 blocos. The largest ones happen in Centro. Santa Teresa, Laranjeiras, Flamengo, Copacabana, Leme, Leblon, and Ipanema also have great choices!
Some blocos are stationary, but most have a concentration spot and a route to follow. The percussion band is usually on street level, and many blocos have sound trucks for vocalists. There are blocos with unique themes - nuns, geeks, the Beatles... Try to learn a little about the event so you can dress accordingly. And enjoy like there's no tomorrow.
Street Carnaval in RioCarnaval Party Planner
We start four weeks ahead and list everything worth doing until one week later. Blocos, Samba Parade, Parties, and hand-picked suggestions. Links to all events! Links to all events!
Putting in all together
Once your dates are settled, let's find the best lodging deals available. Proceed to the Samba Parade, Street Carnaval, Parties, and Off-Carnaval, Culture & Etiquette. Our newsfeed features the latest updates. Enjoy!
Carnaval Season Specials
Counting down, Pre-Carnaval Weekends With the expansion of mega-blocos, festivities start one month before the official date. You can watch a samba school's rehearsal at the Sambadrome or their headquarters (Quadra de Samba). Participate in any of the fabulous free street festivities - there are bandas and blocos you don't want to miss.
Rio has been very busy this summer with domestic and international visitors. Add Cariocas, and you have a lively mix of fun-loving people at every party, nightclub, bar, and beach. Better news yet: hotel rates are not as high as they charge during the main event. Read More!
Carnaval Samba Parade
What many consider the greatest show on earth, Rio de Janeiro's Carnaval Samba Parade is amazing in every way. It happens from Carnaval Sunday through Tuesday. Each night, a selection of four Special Group Samba Schools perform to an audience of about 80 thousand spectators. Each school chooses a theme and illustrates it with a song, incredible floats, and colorful sections of people wearing the same costumes. Millions watch the live broadcast.
Golden Group schools (formerly known as Access Group) parade on Friday and Saturday, eight each night. The winner will be promoted to the Special Group next year. Understand how the Samba Parade works and what to watch for! We do not sell tickets, so we can give you fair advice on how to get them at face value. Explore our photo albums and videos to understand the season's magic!
Bandas & Blocos
Street Carnaval festivities have blossomed beautifully. Each season, there are over 500 events. The larger ones are in Centro. They also happen in public parks and residential neighborhoods. Staying in a happening area makes a lot of sense when you book a place to stay. Of course, we have our favorite blocos and are happy to share some great suggestions with you. And helpful safety tips, of course.
Photos & Videos
We never miss favorite blocos, and we have a fantastic collection of photos and videos for you to explore. Banda de Ipanema, Simpatia é Quase Amor, and Empolga às Nove are among the ones we follow. The best blocos are always where your friends are, and it's a great occasion to mingle. Consider wearing some fun accessory or costume to get into the right mood.
Off-Carnaval Parties
Nightlife in Rio happens during the high season, translating to over a month in Carnaval terms. Local label parties invite international DJs, promote theme parties, and offer more options than anyone could handle. Rio Nightlife Carioca is updated daily with our hand-picked suggestions. Keep connected!
The LGBTQ+ party scene is another highlight. Some events are straight-friendly or mixed, so everyone can join the fun. We publish the parties and specials at www.riogayguide.com,, with links to all e-flyers. .
Street Carnaval Etiquette
Carnaval is something we celebrate in Rio since we are children. Sometimes, we see two or three generations partying together. Neighborhood blocos keep this spirit of a family. They are populated mainly by groups of friends, and visitors are welcome!
Each bloco must request a permit from the city government to avoid complete chaos. The city takes care of diverting traffic, provides security, and installs public restrooms or chemical toilets. There are fines for littering and for peeing in public. Please respect the areas that host bandas and blocos. Beware of pickpockets..