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Pre-Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro

• Article, Photos, Videos
• Carnaval in Rio

Carnaval happens from Feb. 10 through 13, 2024. Pre-Carnaval in Rio basically starts right after New Year's Eve. Summer is high season, yet lodging rates only go up during the main event. Your best bet to save is planning your trip either around one, or two weeks ahead.

Participate in favorite street festivities featuring major Bandas and Blocos. Enjoy a free rehearsal of a Special Group Samba School at the Sambodromo. Explore nightlife possibilities. And add time for the beach, and sightseeing, of course!

Two Weeks Ahead: Jan. 27-28

Early birds get their reward. The city is not as full, lodging is priced lower, and you can accommodate sightseeing, beach hopping, and visit historical areas. Things start to warm up on Friday. On the weekend there are fabulous bandas! If we hear of any last-minute changes in the program we will keep you updated

Spanta Neném starts early in the morning around Lagoa, with Spantinha. There's music, dancing, costumes, and mask workshops for children. Carioca culture is handed down that way! The parade starts a bit later, right after noon. They march towards Ipanema. This year there's also an after party!

Banda de Ipanema traditionally opens Pre-Carnaval festivities on Saturday.  They have confirmed the parades on Carnaval Saturday and Tuesday. Gathering at 4 p.m. Around 5:30 they parade to the beach towards Leblon, take a turn at Rua Joana Angélica. The way back to Praça General Osório is along main commercial street - Rua Visconde de Pirajá.

Other notable presences include Desliga da Justiça at Praça Tirandentes in Centro at 8 a.m. Bloco das Poderosas gathers at Rua Imperatriz Leopoldina in Centro at 6 p.m. Imprensa Que eu Gamo in Laranjeiras starts at 1 p.m.

On Sunday morning we miss the parade of Bloco Volta, Alice - the pride of Laranjeiras. BloQueen in Flamengo starts at 8 a.m. Join rehearsals at samba schools or night clubs, keep an eye for technical rehearsals at the Sambodromo, and enjoy the party scene!

Saturday - February 27, 2024

• Spantinha at Lagoa is for children! With a host of attractions, and supervised fun! - 9 a.m.
• Desliga da Justiça is a superhero themed bloco. Dress accordingly! Praça Santos Dumont, Gávea - 9 a.m.
• Spanta Neném parades around Lagoa! - 1 p.m.
• Imprensa que eu Gamo is a favorite with the press crowd! The gathering is at Mercado São José, in Laranjeiras. - 1 p.m.
• Banda de Ipanema, since 1965! The concentration is at Praça General Osório. The parade happens along the beach, turns right at Rua Joana Angélica, and goes back along Rua Visonde de Pirajá. - 5 p.m.
• Rehearsal at the Sambadrome Samba Schools to be confirmed. Keep posted!
• 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!

Sunday - January 28, 2024

• Bloco Volta, Alice the pride and joy of Laranjeiras! Concentration at Tasca do Edgar on Rua Alice. - 9 a.m.
• Bloco do Vira-Lata 2024 gathers across from the Golf Club along São Conrado Beach. - 9 a.m.
• Carnaval Bloco Chinelo de Dedo 2024 with concentration at Rua do Mercado in Centro - 2 p.m.
• Ensaio do Multibloco with concentration at Rua do Invalidos in Centro - 4 p.m.
• Technical Rehearsal at Sambódromo Samba Schools to be confirmed
• 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!

One Week Ahead: Feb. 3-4

This is as close as you get to Carnaval without having to deal with higher lodging rates. Try to arrive a couple of days earlier to enjoy the city, visit the sights, and enjoy the summer beach. There are street festivities happening all over town. In Ipanema the first parade of favorite Simpatia é Quase Amor is on Saturday afternoon. There is a new theme song every year, and the friendly atmosphere is contagious.

Saturday - February 3, 2024

• Bloco Céu na Terra starts early in the morning in Santa Teresa! Concentration at Largo dos Guimarães. - 7 a.m.
• Bloco Chora Me Liga is another early bird this Saturday! Concentration is at Rua Primeiro de Março in Centro - 8 a.m.
• Simpatia é Quase Amor ranks so high in our list of favorites! A tradition in Ipanema since 1985. Concentration at Praça General Osório - 2 p.m.
• Bloco das Carmelitas in rehearsing this Saturday at Praça Tiradentes, in Centro. - 6 p.m.
• Techincal Reherasal at Sambódromo attractions to be confirmed.
• 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!

Other popular blocos this weekend include traditional Bloco Suvaco de Cristo in Jardim Botânico. Also in the morning, there's Bloco da Preta - one of the biggies. In Ipanema Empolga às Nove is stationed at the beach in the afternoon, on Posto 9 The off-Carnaval circuit is on full blast, with favorite Brazilian and international DJ's at the best venues.

Sunday - February 4, 2024

• Bloco Suvaco do Cristo is one of our favorites, since 1986! The Concentration is on Rua Jardim Botânico corner of Rua Faro, the the route is towards Praça Santos Dumont. - 8 a.m.
• Cordão do Boitatá is considered one the mega-blocos! Concentration is at Rua da Assembléia, 66 in Centro in front of CCBB - 8 a.m.
• Desfile do Bloco da Preta 2024 happens at Av. Presidente Antonio Carlos, 1 in Centro. Another mega-bloco! - 7 a.m.
• Bloco Fogo e Paixão has a repertoire where Brega beats set the mood. Wear something tacky to mingle! Concentration at Largo São Francisco de Paula, Centro - 8:00 a.m.
• Empolga às Nove - Apoteótico Desfile Parado happens at Ipanema Beach on Posto 9 at 9 a.m.
• Techincal Reherasal at Sambódromo Free admission. - 8 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!