Banda de Ipanema Considered a part of Rio de Janeiro's cultural heritage, Banda de Ipanema has been around for more than four decades! Today the band attracts a colorful mix of about 15 thousand drag queens, and partiers in costumes and plain clothes. Founded in 1965. Concentration at Praca General Osorio starts at 4 p.m. The band marches along the beach until Rua Joana Angelica, and then takes a turn right and heads back to the square along Av. Visconde de Piraja. • Saturday two weeks before Carnival • Carnival Saturday • Carnival Tuesday

Simpatia e Quase Amor Founded in 1985. Simpatia is largest bloco in Ipanema, attracting as many as twenty thousand. A new theme song is chosen every year, and these rehearsals are quite popular. Mostly young people, but also families and children. Concentration at Praca General Osorio in Ipanema, and then along the beach all the way to the border of Leblon. Go to the concentration, or simply stand along the beach and wait for it to reach you and join in. • Saturday two weeks before Carnival • Carnival Sunday

Monobloco Founded in 2003, Monobloco few exponantially. in 2009 an estimated 400 thousand revelers participated! The parade became so big that it was moved from Leblon to Copacabana Beach. In 2009 they got a license to march along Av. Rio Branco, so that they can accommodate everyone. The time also changed, they now do mornings, starting at 9 a.m.! The percussion band alone has over 120 musicians with plenty of stamina. A new theme song is chosen every year, and rehearsals at Fundicao Progresso are very popular. Concentration at Praca Maua, Downtown, ending the parade at the Cinelandia. • Sunday, one week after Carnival, at 9 p.m.

Cordão da Bola Preta Founded in 1918, Cordao da Bola Preta is a deliciously preserved tradition of Lapa, the bohemian heart of Rio de Janeiro's Centro. The band parades twice, and the club has gafieira nights throught the year, plus Carnival Balls. Everybody knows the anthem "Quem nao chora nao mama, segura, meu bem, a chupeta. Lugar quente e na cama, ou entao, na Bola Preta." This is another event that has grown our of proportion, attracting an estimate 300 thousand people in 2009. Concentration at Praça Mauá (Candelaria) ending the parade at Cinelandia. • Friday one week before Carnival, at 5 p.m. • Carnival Saturday at 10 a.m. • Carnival Tuesday at 5 p.m. (to be confirmed)

Map of Bandas and Blocos - Street Carnival in Rio

Since there are dozens of bandas and blocos and you can't be everywhere at the same time, we selected a few favorites for you to enjoy before, during and after Carnival.

Vem Ni Mim Que Eu Sou Facinha

in Ipanema on Carnival Friday. Concentration at Rua Prudente de Morais corner of Rua Jangadeiros at 5 p.m. This band does not leave its concentration in front of Casa da Feijoada.

Spanta Nenem

happens on Saturday two weeks before Carnival coinciding with Banda de Ipanema. Concentration at Parque do Cantagalo around Lagoa at 4 p.m. The band marches all the way to Caiçaras Club near the corner of Rua Anibal de Mendonca.

Rola Preguiçosa

on Carnival Friday, at 6 p.m.. The concentration is on Av. Epitácio Pessoa, at the corner of Rua Maria Quitéria (see map).

Que Merda é Essa?

the Concentration is on Carnival Sunday at Bar Paz e Amor, on Rua Garcia D'àvila, starting at 2 p.m.. band marches all the way to the beach, where it gets inevitably grid-locked with Simpatia é Quase Amor. Nobody complains...

Suvaco de Cristo

on Carnival Sunday afternoon. Concentration at corner of Rua Faro and Rua Jardim Botanico. The parade of the bloco is opened by the children-only Suvaquinho. Founded in 1986. This event has become so popular that organizers prefer not to publish the time of the Concentration to avoid overcrowding (as if!).

Bloco do Bip Bip

the concentration is at one of the most traditional meeting spots for the samba community right in the heart of Copacabana on . Start the highlight of street Carnival in Santa Teresa since 1991. Concentration at Rua Dias de Barros and Ladeira de Santa Teresa. Carnival Friday at 6 p.m. and Carnival Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Copacabana Beach

There are a number of interesting Bandas concentrating along Av. Atlantica. Banda da Sá Ferreira, Banda da Miguel Lemos, Banda da Bolivar and Banda da Santa Clara are worth checking out.

Meu Bem Volto Ja

happens on Carnival Tuesday. Concentration at 3 p.m. at Copacabana Beach corner of Av. Princesa Isabel, this band marches all the way to Leme.

Dois Pra La, Dois Pra Ca

this band is particularly popular with the ballroom dance crowd, so expect to see crack dancers make their way from Botafogo to Copacabana. On Carnival Saturday the Concentration is on Rua Alvaro Ramos, at 2 p.m.

Barbas

in Humaita on Carnival Saturday at 3 p.m. Concentration at corner of streets Arnaldo Quintela and Assis Bueno.

Empolga as Nove

is another good excuse for you to sample street Carnival in Botafogo. Concentration on Rua Henrique de Novaes on Carnival Saturday at 4 p.m.

Volta Alice

in Laranjeiras, on Carnival Monday. Concentration at Praca Maria Portugal corner of Rua Alice. The rehearsals happen on Saturday, and each year a new theme is chosen. This is a smaller bloco, and they prefer to disclose the timeThis of the parade to insider's only.

Carmelitas

the highlight of street Carnival in Santa Teresa since 1991. Concentration at Rua Dias de Barros and Ladeira de Santa Teresa. Carnival Friday at 6 p.m. and Carnival Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Cordao do Boitata

Carnival Sunday with Concentration at Praca Quinze corner of Rua do Mercado. They prefer to keep secret the hours to avoid overcrowding...