The weekend before Ash Wednesday, Rio de Janeiro transforms into a city of feathers, sequins, and relentless samba drums. The Rio Carnival is often called the greatest show on earth, and for good reason.

According to thediscoveriesof.com, the festival traces its roots to the 18th century, but it only took its modern shape in the 1920s. The blend of European, African, and Indigenous influences makes it a unique cultural spectacle.

The Sambadrome: The Main Event

No visit to Rio Carnival is complete without attending the parade at the Sambadrome, located on Marques de Sapucai Avenue downtown. The venue hosts events on five different nights.

The parade is fiercely competitive. Rio’s famed samba schools compete for a grand prize of around £320,000 ($400,000). A panel of experts judges the choreographed performances, which involve elaborate costumes, samba percussion, and dancing. Schools practise for an entire year before the event.

Each group has between 65 and 75 minutes to perform and is evaluated on 10 categories by a panel of four judges. Categories include how well they stuck to a theme (Enredo), synchronization, costume detail (Alegorias e adereços), and the Comissão de frente e alas, which is the front line with the best costumes and performances.

Attending the Parade

The parade is a series of five performances. The first two nights feature the Access Group, with eight samba schools per night. These schools have about 45 minutes each and compete for a chance to move up to the Special Group. Tickets are much cheaper, and the talent is often comparable.

The Special Group features six groups per night over two nights, with a chance to make it to the final event. This is the pinnacle: the best samba schools in Rio on one stage.

The Champions Parade takes place the following weekend, after Ash Wednesday. The final six groups get another full hour to impress the judges.

How to Buy Tickets

The best way to buy tickets is through Bookers International, as far in advance as possible. Prices vary by seat and night. The cheapest seats are in the Grand Stand and start around £93 ($117) for the Special Group.

Grandstands are the most affordable option, with several levels. Sector 2 is the cheapest, and prices rise with better views up to the tourist area, Sector 9. Sector 9 starts around £60 ($77) and includes assigned seating, a perk not offered in other Grandstand areas.

Allocated Chairs (Sector 12) start around £120 ($150) and offer more comfortable seats and a convenient location. Box Seats are great for groups, with Front Box and Covered Box options at different price tiers.

For a premium experience, Folia offers a nightclub setting near Sector 6, with food, cocktails, private shows, and comfortable seating. It’s considerably more expensive at over $600 per ticket.

Top tip: attend the Access Group events on the first two nights to save money.

Blocos: Local Carnival Parties

If you want to experience Carnival like a local, join one of the hundreds of Blocos that take over neighbourhoods across the city. They are free, fun, and popular with both locals and tourists.

A Bloco is essentially a block party, but with a twist. Each one features a local band playing samba, xote, and other percussion-driven music. The festivities are organised yet spontaneous, often moving from one part of the city to another. Blocos can start weeks before the main Carnival and continue for days after.

With over 500 Blocos in Rio, finding the best ones can be daunting. Many start as early as 7 am, so you can party at all hours. Locals will point you to standouts like the massive parties at Cinelandia and Banda de Ipanema, the Beatles-themed Sargento Pimenta, and Santa Teresa’s Carmelitas, which celebrates a nun who, according to legend, leapt from a convent to join the festivities.

For the latest party locations and times, download the free app Blocos de Rua on Google Play or Apple.

Final Thoughts

Rio Carnival is an unforgettable experience, whether you’re in the Sambadrome stands or dancing in the streets. Plan ahead, book your tickets early, and don’t forget to join a Bloco or two. The rhythm of samba will stay with you long after the last drumbeat.