Rio Carnival is really two festivals. One is the Sambadrome, where the samba schools spend a year preparing parades of thousands of dancers and giant floats. The other is the city itself: hundreds of free street parties, the blocos, from one end of Rio to the other.
When is Rio Carnival 2027?#
Carnival follows Easter, so the date moves every year. In 2027:
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| January – early February | Blocos warm up across the city |
| Sat, February 6 | Carnival weekend begins |
| Sun, February 7 – Tue, February 9 | The samba schools' main parades in the Sambadrome (in recent years spread over three nights) |
| Wed, February 10 | Ash Wednesday |
The official schedule is published closer to the date; check it before you buy tickets.
The Sambadrome#
The Sambódromo is a purpose-built parade avenue lined with grandstands. Each top samba school parades for over an hour, with thousands of dancers, drummers and floats, competing for the title. Nights run until dawn.
Tickets range from cheap grandstand sectors to private boxes. Buy through official channels only.
The blocos#
The free half — and for many, the better one. Blocos are street parties that move behind a band or sound truck, each with its own style and crowd. Some are small neighbourhood affairs; the biggest draw hundreds of thousands. Costumes are welcome, glitter is mandatory.
Where to stay#
Book months ahead: prices rise sharply. Copacabana, Ipanema and Botafogo are convenient for both the blocos and transport to the Sambadrome.
Staying safe#
- Carry a little cash, a copy of your ID and a cheap phone, or none.
- Keep belongings in front pockets or a money belt.
- Stay with your group and agree a meeting point.
- Use registered taxis or ride apps at night.
- Drink water: it's summer, and hot.
The rest of the season#
February is carnival month across Latin America and the Caribbean. In the Dominican Republic, it's every Sunday of the month: Dominican Carnival 2027. The festivals of the region, ranked: the best festivals in Latin America. All the big dates: the world events calendar.
Do Carnival with someone who knows the blocos.
Meet Local FriendsFrequently Asked Questions
When is Rio Carnival 2027?
Around Saturday February 6 to Ash Wednesday February 10, 2027. The main Sambadrome parades run over the main Carnival nights, in recent years Sunday to Tuesday. Street blocos start weeks earlier, from January. Check the official schedule when it's published.What is a bloco?
A free street party that moves through a neighbourhood behind a band or a sound truck. There are hundreds during Carnival, each with its own style, from small neighbourhood ones to blocos with hundreds of thousands of people.How much are Sambadrome tickets?
Prices vary widely by night and sector, from affordable grandstand seats to expensive boxes. Buy through official channels and avoid street sellers.Is Rio Carnival safe?
Millions celebrate safely every year, but pickpocketing is common in crowds. Carry a cheap phone or none, a little cash, and a copy of your ID; stay with your group; and use registered taxis or ride apps at night.