Carnaval 2024 Party Planner
Carnaval season in Rio starts basically after New Year's Eve celebrations. Things really warm up a couple of weeks ahead the official party. Dates change every year. Carnaval 2024 is from February 10th (Saturday) through Tuesday, February 13th (Mardi-Gras). The Champions' Parade is on Saturday February 17th. On Sunday mega Monobloco takes over Centro.
Pre-Carnaval in Rio has a page of its own. We are assuming you are coming for the main event, during the peak of our high season. Arriving a few days ahead makes a lot of sense. Staying a few more days afterwards, too. There's so much to do and see party-wise, that you will not have much time left to explore the city.
To experience Carnaval in all its glory there is a checklist of must-dos to follow. Street festivities (bandas and blocos), the Samba Parade, and Carnaval Balls or Parties make the trilogy. The off-Carnaval party circuit is an attraction apart. A lot of people come to Rio only to dance to their favorite DJ's, and enjoy the beach.
Your travel budget is also an important issue to address. Even with discounts, hotel rates are higher than during low season. The city is as crowded as it gets. Luxury costume balls and tickets to the Sambodromo are expensive. Yet street carnaval is free, and most parties are affordable.
Carnaval Friday and Saturday
Friday is not even an official Carnaval day, yet unofficial is perfectly fine. There are more Carnaval activities than you can handle, and the party scene is fierce. Get rid of your jet lag, set your watch to our time zone, and enjoy!
Sambódromo is already on. They renamed the to Golden Group the Access Group Samba Schools. They include many familiar names, and tickets are priced lower. You may even consider a spot at a catered box (camarote).
We have two personal favorites on Friday. Bloco das Carmelitas is a themed event in Santa Teresa, with a profusion of nuns and priests, angels and devils. Rola Preguiçosa, in Ipanema, starts later. The concentration at Lagoa is a find. The party circuit is on big time.
Friday - February 9, 2024
- Bloco das Carmelitas in Santa Teresa passes by the historical Carmelite Convent, which set the inspiration for costumes. Concentration at Ladeira de Santa Teresa. - 1 p.m.
- Banda da Rua do Mercado starts gathering at Praça Quinze at 6 p.m.
- Banda do Lido has been around since the 60's. We respect tradition. Concentration at Rua Ronald de Carvalho - 6 p.m.
- Rola Preguiçosa in Ipanema was founded in the 90's. The Concentration is on Rua Maria Quitéria, at the corner with Lagoa. This is a smaller, neighborhood event - 6 p.m.
- Carnaval Samba Parade Golden Group - 10:30 p.m.
- Off-Carnaval Parties featuring our pick of the crop. All events with links to e-flyers and more details!
- LGBTQ Parties We count on the expertise of www.riogayguide.com to select the best events!
- Complete list of Blocos by day and area, courtesy of G1.
Saturday - February 10, 2024
- Bloco Céu na Terra takes over Santa Teresa this morning! The Concentration is at Largo dos Guimarães. - 7:30 a.m.
- Cordão da Bola Preta was founded in 1919. The Saturday morning parade has attracted as many as one million revelers. It's as big as it gets! Concentration on Rua Primeiro de Março - 8 a.m.
- Multibloco concentrates at Avenida Henrique Valadares, in Lapa. - 8 a.m.
- Bloco Dois Pra lá Dois Pra Cá is back with concentration at Rua Alvaro Ramos in Botafogo - 9 a.m.
- Bloco Empolga às 9 is on its second edition ! Concentration is at Posto 5, in Copacabana. - 11 a.m.
- Banda de Ipanema, since 1965! The concentration is at Praça General Osório. The parade does a loop passing by the beach, and the main street. - 4 p.m.
- Carnaval Samba Parade - Golden Group - 10:30 p.m.
- Baile do Copa is our most traditional costume ball. Guests are required to wear black tie or luxury costumes. Patrons include TV personalities, socialites, and reporters. Dress up! - 10 p.m.
- Off-Carnaval Parties featuring our pick of the crop. All events with links to e-flyers and more details!
- LGBTQ Parties We count on the expertise of www.riogayguide.com to select the best events!
- Complete list of Blocos by day and area, courtesy of G1.
Carnaval Sunday and Monday
These are the days of the main parade, featuring Special Group Samba Schools at Sambódromo. Some tour operators offer benefits like round-trip transportation, or access to catered boxes. Mind the face value of tickets as published by Liesa. Do not support scalpers.
Streets are happening, with a fine selection of blocos all over town. These are not the best days to go on a city tour, many streets are taken over by pedestrians in a party mode. The Samba Parade is broadcast live on TV, and on the Internet. There are more off-Carnaval parties than anyone can handle! Enjoy without moderation.
Sunday - February 11, 2024
- Desfile Fulminante do Bangalafumenga 2024. Favorite bloco with concentration is at scenic Aterro do Flamengo, next to WWII Memorial - Monumento aos Pracinhas. 8:30 a.m.
- Cordão do Boitatá presents a Multicultural Ball at Praça Quinze, Centro - 10 a.m.
- Que Merda é Essa? is a smaller neighborhood bloco in Ipanema, and the event starts Que Caquinha é Essa?, for children. The parade happens along Rua Garcia Dávila towards the beach. Concentration at Bar Paz & Amor. -2 p.m.
- Bloco March Nerd parades today in Tijuca! The Concentration is at Praça Xavier de Brito (Praça dos Cavalinhos) - 2 p.m.
- Bloco Toca Rauuul is dedicated to songs by legendary Raul Seixas! The Concentration is at MAM (Museu de Arte Moderna) - 4 p.m.
- Simpatia é Quase Amor is the big highlight in Ipanema this Sunday. Concentration is around Praça General Osório. - 4 p.m.
- Bloco Carioca da Gema 2024 with Concentration on Rua dos Arcos, 24 in Lapa. - 3 p.m.
- Special Group Samba School Carnaval Parade 2024 - 9:30 p.m.
- Off-Carnaval Parties featuring our pick of the crop. All events with links to e-flyers and more details!
- LGBTQ Parties We count on the expertise of www.riogayguide.com to select the best events!
- Complete list of Blocos by day and area, courtesy of G1.
Carnaval Monday is your second chance to watch the Samba Parade. The champion of the previous year traditionally is the last school to parade on Monday, so you want to stay until the end.
Street festivities start early in Leme, Centro and Flamengo. Sargento Pimenta features songs by The Beatles are played with a Carnaval beat. Simpatia é Quase Amor is on full blast in Ipanema. Off-Carnaval parties featuring Brazilian and international DJ's complete the range of options.
Monday - February 12, 2024
- O incrível Desfile do Bloco Que Pena Amor at Buraco do Lume (Praça Mário Lago) in Centro - 7 a.m.
- Bloco Exagerado at Praça Tiradentes, in Centro, is a tribute to iconic singer Cazuza - 8 a.m.
- Bloco do Sargento Pimenta is a theme event. Their repertoire is composed of songs by the Beatles with a Carnaval beat! Concentration at Aterro do Flamengo. - 10 a.m.
- Special Group Samba School Carnaval Parade 2024 - 9:30 p.m.
- Off-Carnaval Parties featuring our pick of the crop. All events with links to e-flyers and more details!
- LGBTQ Parties We count on the expertise of www.riogayguide.com to select the best events!
- Complete list of Blocos by day and area, courtesy of G1.
Carnaval Tuesday - Mardi Gras
The last official Carnaval day is Fat Tuesday, Mardi-Gras in French. If you stayed out until very late, we have good news. Fun starts very early. You also have great choices in the afternoon. In the evening Carnaval balls and off-Carnaval parties complete the package. Don't leave town, though. We have a whole lot more entertainment for you next weekend!
Tuesday - February 13, 2024
- Bloco Fervo da Lud with special guests. Mega-bloco with Concentration on Rua Primeiro de Março in Centro - 7 a.m.
- Bloco A Rocha da Gávea 2024, is a favorite neighborhood bloco! Concentration at Praça Santos Dumont. - 8 a.m.
- Bloco das Carmelitas takes over Santa Teresa for the last time of the year! Concentration at Largo do Curvelo - 8 a.m.
- Meu Bem Volto Já is a traditional bloco in Leme. Concentration is on Av. Princesa Isabel, corner of Rua Viveiros de Castro. - 3 p.m.
- Desfile da Orquestra Voadora - Carnaval 2024 happens at Aterro do Flamengo this afternoon. Concentration at Av. Infante Dom Henrique near Outeiro da Glória - 3 p.m.
- Banda de Ipanema 2024.3 happens on Carnaval Tuesday. Concentration at Praça General Osório - 4 p.m.
- Off-Carnaval Parties featuring our pick of the crop. All events with links to e-flyers and more details!
- LGBTQ Parties We count on the expertise of www.riogayguide.com to select the best events!
- Complete list of Blocos by day and area, courtesy of G1.
LGBTQ Carnaval 2024 in Rio
All colors of the rainbow are present at our Carnaval festivities. In addition to all the street fun and the Samba Parade, the party circuit is amazing. The best local and international DJ's are in town! This page is daily updated to make sure you get all the latest news! Courtesy of www.riogayguide.com
Post Carnaval Weekend
On Wednesday the result of the Samba Parade is announced, and you can start looking forward to the Champions' Parade on Saturday! On Sunday Monobloco is the big star, attracting hundreds of thousands of revelers. Some Cariocas say that the year only starts after Carnaval, and in many ways it is true. We hope to see you again next year!
Saturday - February 17, 2024
- Rio Carnaval 2024 Champions' Parade at the Sambadrome is tonight! The six schools that were best placed will take over Sambódromo to celebrate. The parade starts with the 6th best placed. - 9:15 p.m.
- Off-Carnaval Parties featuring our pick of the crop. All events with links to e-flyers and more details!
- LGBTQ Parties We count on the expertise of www.riogayguide.com to select the best events!
- Complete list of Blocos by day and area, courtesy of G1.
Sunday is the last post-Carnaval day, and it ends on a happy note. Monobloco starts early in the morning, and this is one of our celebrated mega-blocos. Their parades in Centro have already attracted as many as 400k revelers, and now they are at scenic Aterro do Flamengo! We hope you enjoyed the season. There's always more next year...
Sunday - February 18, 2024
- Monobloco is a very popular mega-bloco. Concentration at Aterro do Flamengo. - 9 a.m.
- Off-Carnaval Parties featuring our pick of the crop. All events with links to e-flyers and more details!
- LGBTQ Parties We count on the expertise of www.riogayguide.com to select the best events!
- Complete list of Blocos by day and area, courtesy of G1.
