Carnival in Rio de Janeiro: everything you need to know!

Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is certainly one of the best known in Brazil and also in the entire world. After all, it is a big party that involves revelers from different places. Revelers who follow the blocks all over the city or go to the Sambadrome to watch the Samba School Parade that bring the most renowned batteries, fantasies and floats.

So it's no wonder that it's the biggest party in the world! Officially, Rio de Janeiro's Carnival lasts five days. It starts on Saturday – along with the Special Group Samba Schools parade – and goes on until Ash Wednesday.

However, the party itself starts weeks before with the dances and the street parties. Are you ready to find out everything that happens during these days of revelry? Then come with us throughout this post!

Types of Carnival in Rio de Janeiro

There are basically three ways to enjoy the Rio carnival. Check out the different ways below and discover which one is the most ideal and fun for you:

Samba School Parades

Throughout the year, the Samba Schools prepare to compete with each other in the parade. This tradition has been followed since 1984 when Oscar Niemeyer designed and completed the Sambadrome in Marquês da Sapucaí.

To parade, each school brings its “samba enredo” which is sung by many people, but led by the lead singer who sings on the loudspeaker, close to the drums.

Mestre Sala and Porta Bandeira are also part of the group. They perform rhythmic performances, just like the dancers, who even do acrobatics with the tambourine in their hands.

Street Carnival

Every year, when Carnival is just around the corner, the dates of the street parties are announced so that everyone can get ready to party hard! Both in the morning and in the afternoon, and at night, groups of revelers dance and sing around the city to the rhythm of the carnival marches.

Some bloco groups are organized by professional musicians, while others are made up of groups of friends who agree on a location, day and time. They then give the bloco a funny name related to something that happened in the city, in the neighborhood or some joke that involves the bloco members.

Anyone can join in the festivities! This is one of the main characteristics of the bloco: everyone can join the revelers and enjoy all the joy of the bloco!

And there are groups for all tastes! From those that bring together crowds like Cordão do Bola Preta and Banda de Ipanema to some more relaxed ones like Banda do Leme and Os Imóveis and others that bring together other types of music like the rock n' roll of Sargento Pimenta and themes from series and cartoons in Marcha Nerd.

Carnival Balls

Like the blocks, there are carnival balls to suit everyone's taste and budget. However, the difference is that the costumes tend to be simpler and the parties take place in clubs instead of on the streets.

Some balls are more popular, such as those held at Cinelândia and organized by the City Hall. While others are more refined and expensive, such as those held at the Copacabana Palace Hotel or themed and exotic, such as those held at Scala.

So, what about you? Have you been to Rio de Janeiro Carnival? Leave a comment and tell us about your experience!