What’s up! This week the Rio de Janeiro Carnival officially begins. Let’s enjoy a fun time, jump, dance, laugh, and have a blast. It will be four days full of celebration and merriment. People dress up in their costumes and go to the streets with their friends and family to enjoy the biggest party in the world. So, how about learning a little more about carnival? Let’s explore the Rio de Janeiro carnival activities, the role of carnival songs and the sambadrome!
What do you know about Rio de Janeiro carnival? Many say that it’s the best time of the year in Brazil. It’s a moment of freedom and celebration where everyone can have fun, be together on the streets and listen to the best Carnival songs! You can enjoy it in many ways, today we’ll show you some throughout this Dica! But first, let’s take a look at the next Carnivals in Rio de Janeiro, so you can put it on your schedule if you couldn’t come this year (or if you loved it so much you will come again!):
| 2023 | From February 17th until February 22nd |
| 2024 | From February 9th until February 14th |
| 2025 | From February 28th until March 5th |
| 2026 | From February 13th until February 18th |
| 2027 | From February 5th until February 10th |
| 2028 | From February 25th until March 1st |
| 2029 | From February 9th until February 14th |
| 2030 | From March 1st until March 6th |
Carnaval begins on Friday and on that day the first parades of samba schools take place. The parades begin with the Grupo de Acesso schools, a group of schools that compete to move up the league and become part of the Grupo Especial. The champion of the group is promoted to the Grupo Especial the following year.
On Sunday, the parade of the Grupo Especial begins. There are twelve samba schools parading bursting with glamour and beauty, bringing one of the most spectacular performances in Brazil to Marquês de Sapucaí and Rio & Learn will also be there, showing that we know how to sambar! All these schools parade in the Sambadrome and it is there that most of the cariocas go to celebrate Carnaval. Look at the order of the parades of the samba schools so you can celebrate this special moment too:
| Sunday, 19-02-2023 | Monday, 20-03-2023 |
| 1. Império | 1. Paraíso do Tuiuti |
| 2. Grande Rio | 2. Portela |
| 3. Mocidade | 3. Vila Isabel |
| 4. Unidos da Tijuca | 4. Imperatriz |
| 5. Salgueiro | 5. Beija Flor |
| 6. Mangueira | 6. Viradouro |
Have you ever thought about joining one of the biggest parties in the world, watching the official and world-famous parade? No? We’ll take you there! But if you want to participate in it by parading with one of the schools above, we have just the right RioLIVE! for you! Come parade with us while you learn Portuguese!
Another way to celebrate the Carnaval, or even better, to enjoy the Carnaval is to participate in the street blocos. They are Carnaval groups with a lot of people dressed up, singing, dancing, and partying. It’s a whole different thing from the Sambadrome! The block parties are all over Rio de Janeiro and you can enjoy a variety of different blocos in one day. You only need to have energy! If you are here in the Marvelous City, check out the schedule of the street block partys!
If you want to enjoy Rio de Janeiro Carnival with Rio & Learn then keep an eye on our RioLIVE! activities We always make a visit to the Samba Schools and go to the Sambódromo rehearsals. Come with us!
And don’t miss the street parties! There are lots of them around the city during Rio de Janeiro Carnival. But you must pay attention to your safety, ok? We can help you with some safety tips.
A wonderful place for you to buy a good Carnival costume and enjoy the party is at Uruguaiana, in the center of Rio. That’s right! There, you can find a vast variety of stores with all kinds of costumes to have a lot of fun, being part of the joy in the Marvelous City.
What about you, would you prefer to spend your Rio de Janeiro Carnival activities by going to a Bloco de Rua or going to Sambadrome? Which are some of your favorite Carnival songs? Tell us in the comments!
A good Carnaval in Rio for all you and have a lot of fun! Carnival kisses to you all!
Click on the links below to see more related Dicas
Rio Carnival Tickets
What is a Samba School
Rio Street Carnival
Brazilian Samba
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