15 Awesome Things To Do at Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro
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Carnival is the season before Lent. It is celebrated around the world but is most associated with Brazil. This is because the largest Carnival celebration is held annually in Rio de Janeiro. I had the wonderful opportunity to be in Rio during Carnival and had an amazing time! Unsure of HOW to celebrate Carnival while in Rio? In this post, I share 15 awesome things to do at Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro!
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<3 Dominique
1) Dress up for Rio Carnaval!
Carnaval (Portuguese for Carnival) is a time for joy and creativity. Regardless of whether you are on your way to a bloco or the Sambadrome, dressing up during Carnaval is ALWAYS a good idea. Wear colourful outfits, glitter and costumes (you get bonus points if it is in theme with a bloco) to get into the spirit. Get as intricate as you would like but you don’t have to go so hard. The sun gets intense in Brazil during Carnaval so don’t forget the sunscreen. Moreover, there is a lot of music and dancing involved so I suggest dressing up for comfort as well.
Bloco? Sambadrome? For more context on Carnaval, check out: The Ultimate Guide to Carnival in Brazil
2) Party at a bloco!
All dressed up with no where to go? Why not attend a bloco? A bloco is a themed street party and is iconic of Rio Carnaval. There are hundreds of organized blocos in Rio and multiple blocos could be happening at the same time.
Carnaval started off as street parades and parties. When the samba school parades got too big for the streets of Rio, the Sambadrome was built specifically to host the parades. Eventually, the average Carioca (aka a Rio resident) got priced out of Carnaval celebrations. As a result, blocos re-emerged. Blocos are THE most authentic celebrations of Carnaval and should not be missed.
Central to a bloco is a band that mobilizes the crowd. Expect to be on your feet and wear comfortable shoes!
For more detailed tips on blocos (like where to find them, what to bring and the best times), check out: 10 Essential Travel Tips for Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.
3) Take in the Sambadrome parades from the Grandstands.
The Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí was built specifically to be the centerpiece of Rio Carnaval. It was built to host the samba school parades for which Rio Carnaval is famous. You absolutely cannot miss the Sambadrome parades if you’re in Rio for Carnaval! For multiple, consecutive nights during Carnaval, Rio’s top samba schools put on presentations in the Sambadrome to crown the best samba school in the city.
Ticket prices for the Sambadrome are dependent on the night and section you choose. If you’re coming all the way to Rio for Carnaval, I suggest choosing a night when the Special Group schools (the premier league of Rio’s samba school system) will perform.
If you’re on a tighter budget or if you want to mingle with the Cariocas, I suggest taking in the samba parades from the Grandstands in the Sambadrome.
4) Get up close with the samba parade performers during Rio Carnaval.
As mentioned above, the Sambadrome parades take place over multiple, consecutive nights. The Special Group parades are typically held on the Sunday and Monday nights before Ash Wednesday. Starting 2025, a third night (Tuesday) was added to accommodate the Special Group parade. If you wanted to see all 12 of the Special Group presentations, you would need to buy tickets for multiple nights. Why not splurge and buy tickets for a Front Box in the Sambadrome for one of the Special Group nights?
Front Boxes are located right at floor level with the Sambadrome runway. These seats will give you the best views of the elaborate floats and costumes of thousands of performers that gave Rio Carnaval its designation as “The Greatest Show on Earth”.
Join a tour to experience the Sambadrome!
If you want to have a stress-free Carnival experience at the Sambadrome, I recommend joining a group tour to take the hassle out of navigating the streets of Rio and the Sambadrome during its busiest nights of the year. Below are listings from trusted tour providers in Rio:
- For budget travellers should check out this tour that includes transfer to and from your accommodation with tickets to Sector 4 of the Sambadrome.
- For those with a mid-range budget, check out this tour that includes transfer to and from your accommodation with reserved seats in Sector 7 of the Sambadrome.
- For those looking for the VIP experience at the Sambadrome, check out this tour that includes transfer to and from your accommodation with a private box, open bar, and buffet access.
5) March in the Rio Carnaval parade!
Did you know that you can be part of The Greatest Show on Earth? I was able to do precisely that when I went to Rio for Carnaval and had an absolute blast!
Dressed in an elaborate Cashew Fisherman costume, I will forever remember dancing the length of the Sambadrome and singing along to a samba song with 90,000 festival goers. I was even briefly featured on local Brazilian TV during the parade. And I am not even affiliated with a samba school!
Regardless of whether you contact Rio Carnaval organizers directly to arrange your spot in the parade or go through a third party provider like I did, you will need to give organizers at least two months notice. Two months is the minimum required time to get your costume made for the parade.
Once you secure your spot in the parade, you must remember that competition is tough between the Special Group schools. Therefore, you must take your assignment seriously! At stake for the school that you are representing are funding and their place in the Special Group. Participating in the Sambadrome parade is a fun, once in a lifetime experience but it also carries responsibility.
6) Tour the backstage of the Sambadrome!
If you want a behind the scenes look at The Greatest Show on Earth but not necessarily join the Carnaval parade, you can tour the backstage of the Sambadrome. Touring the backstage of the Sambadrome would give you a better understanding of samba and why Carnaval is so important to Brazilians. You will also have the opportunity to try on a Carnaval costume without the pressure of joining the parade!
Travel tip: check out this backstage tour of the Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí!
7) Learn the samba songs for Rio Carnaval!
I hope I have convinced you that the Sambadrome parades are not to be missed. And I hope you’re hyped up for a night of dancing and samba music! To prep for Rio Carnaval, I suggest looking up search for “Sambas de Enredo Rio Carnaval <current year>” in your favourite streaming platform.
The samba schools spend all year designing and rehearsing their presentation for the Carnaval parades. The parades are an impressive endeavour that has historically employed thousands in the disenfranchised communities of the city. There is a strict grading criteria for the samba school presentations since funding is at stake.
Part of that strict criteria is the song selection of the samba school. Around the Christmas holidays, the Sambas de Enredo Rio Carnaval is released. This is a compilation album of all the songs the samba schools are using for their routine in the upcoming Carnaval parades. This gives festival goers time to familiarize themselves with the songs and get hyped for the Carnaval parades!
I arrived at Rio a week before the official start of Carnaval. I was supposed to be memorizing the song for Mocidade (the samba school that I was marching for in the Sambadrome). Everywhere I went that week, I recognized that song because stores and radio stations were blasting the Carnaval parade songs. And on the night of the Special Group parades, the ENTIRE Sambadrome belted out the words for every samba school presentation. If you want to join in the fun, I suggest familiarizing yourself with the songs!
8) Stay hydrated during Rio Carnaval!
It gets hot and humid in Rio during Carnaval. It is important to stay hydrated, so why not stay hydrated with a refreshing fruit juice? I always get my fill of Brazilian fruits when I am there as they are a culinary adventure all on their own. You will never find açaí as fresh as the açaí in Brazil! Below are some of the fruit juices that are commonly found around Rio.
Açaí
This is a deep blue-violet berry that is considered a superfood. It is blended with guaraná (a natural source of energy) and cane juice to make a powerhouse smoothie that gives you energy to party for hours! The cane juice gives the smoothie a bit of sweetness but the flavour profile of the açaí is so subtle that it is hard to describe. Nevertheless, I highly recommend trying açaí while you’re in Brazil!
Cajú
Cashew in English. This juice is made from the cashew fruit from which cashew nuts are extracted. To me, cajú tastes very tart and starchy. I didn’t particularly find it refreshing so try with caution if you’re curious. I am personally not a fan but it seems beloved by locals as they kept recommending it to me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
Coco
Coconut in English. Since we’re talking about hydration, coconut water is the best natural hydrator. Rich in minerals, potassium, and sodium, it can help with the hangover from last night’s (aka that morning’s) bloco.
Goiaba
Guava in English. I would say it tastes like a tangy pear. Its smell is definitely more potent than its actual flavour profile. I have heard warnings against having goiaba juice though if you are having digestive issues.
Jabuticaba
This is a distant cousin of grapes but is sweeter and thicker. Locals prefer this in its fruit form over its juice form but it is still worth trying if you’re curious.
Maracujá
Passion fruit in English. This is another one of my favourite juices. It is sweet and tangy and is absolutely refreshing. Beware though, some Brazilians say maracujá makes you sleepy.
Travel tip: check out this Rio Gastronomy Tour that I absolutely loved and where I got to try many juices that are native to Brazil.
9) Take samba lessons!
In The Ultimate Guide to Carnival in Brazil, I gave context on why samba is central to the whole Carnaval experience. Samba is a musical genre that is beloved and popularized by the Brazilians. You will hear it everywhere during Carnaval! To find your rhythm and truly party like a Carioca, I suggest taking samba dance lessons!
I found Brazilians to be excellent dancers and they all seem to know how to dance to every musical genre. I WISH I spent more time learning how to samba for Carnaval.
10) Samba the night away!
If you want to show off your moves, the Lapa district has always been known for its vibrant night life. Even beyond Carnaval, parties here can last well into the morning. If you’re looking to enjoy a night of samba and other popular genres of Brazilian music, Lapa is the place to be!
Lapa is mostly safe but you should definitely exercise caution to ensure that you don’t get your phone or wallet stolen after a few caipirinhas. Stick to the main areas and do not walk alone at night. If you want to be properly initiated into Rio’s party district, I recommend this skip the line experience to the famous Rio Scenarium in the Lapa district.
11) Adventure into Pedra do Sal!
For a truly local experience, I suggest adventuring into Pedra do Sal. Not too many tourists venture out here all at once. Pedra do Sal is a square in the neighbourhood of Saúde. It is credited as the birthplace of samba! People come here to enjoy street music. Pedra do Sal can get crowded and as with any crowded place in Rio, you should mind your phone.
Travel tip: check out this Pedra do Sal tour if you want to see the place and get the historical and cultural context from a knowledgeable guide.
12) Fuel up at a churrascaria during Rio Carnaval!
I travel specifically to eat! While in Brazil, you should definitely eat in a churrascaria! Churrascaria is a Brazilian steakhouse where they serve a variety of meat that has been grilled on large skewers. Servers go around with the skewers and shave off meat servings on demand. It is typically an all you can eat dining experience and is uniquely Brazilian.
Travel tip: check out Churrascaria Palace in Copacabana. This place is legendary with locals and foreigners alike.
13) Attend the Copacabana Ball!
Baile do Copa (or Copa Ball) is held annually on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday. It is a themed masquerade ball held at the legendary Copacabana Palace. This event is a lot more exclusive than the blocos and the Sambadrome. This is one of Rio’s most high profile events and tickets start in the thousands. Formal attire is mandatory.
14) Relax at a world-class beach during Rio Carnaval!
Carnaval in Rio is a feast for all five senses and can get overwhelming at times. There is something happening in Rio around the clock during this season. In addition, Rio gets very hot and humid during Carnaval season. It is very easy to exert yourself. Luckily, you can find some world-class beaches all around Rio de Janeiro! To make the most of Carnaval, remember to rest and cool down once in awhile.
My favourite beach: Arpoador, Posto 8, at sunset.
15) Stay for the Champions Parade!
Carnaval starts to wind down on Ash Wednesday. This is also the day they announce the champion of the samba school parades for the Special Group. If you’re not quite ready to stop the party or want to see the top performers of the year’s samba school competitions, why not stay for the Champions Parade at the Sambadrome!
The Champions Parade takes place on the Saturday after Ash Wednesday. Tickets are slightly cheaper than those from the Super Group nights during Carnaval. This would be a great opportunity to see the winning samba school presentation for the year along with the five runners-up.
What were your favourite things to do at Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro? Did you have any questions? I would love to hear from you in the comments below!