New Year's Eve has passed, and Cariocas are buzzing with excitement for the city's next big event — the world-famous Rio de Janeiro Carnival. While the official celebrations kick off in early March, the preparations and rehearsals are in full swing, with plenty of events happening. Stay tuned, as this list will be constantly updated with the very best of the festivities.
The bloco that brings heroes and villains to the streets of Rio is already hosting free rehearsals every Saturday. As always, costumes are a must, adding an extra dose of joy and fun to the revelry.
Nosso Casarão. Travessia do Comércio, 15 (Arco do Teles). Sat 2pm. Free
In February, one of Rio’s biggest Carnival blocos, Monobloco, will hold open rehearsals at Fundição Progresso. With more than 140 percussionists, this traditional bloco leads the pre-Carnival festivities and will get everyone dancing to their greatest hits.
Fundição Progresso. R. dos Arcos, 24 (Centro). February 21st and 28th, 8pm. 21st Feb - R$140 (Second Release); 28th Feb - R$160 (Third Release). Tickets
The school promises a lot of emotions, both with the samba-enredo that pays tribute to the carnavalesco Lalla (1943-2021), and with the farewell of the singer Neguinho da Beija-Flor.
Rua Pracinha Wallace Paes Leme, 1.025 (Nilópolis). Thu 10pm. R$30
The school, which has actress Paola Oliveira as its drum queen, has opened its street rehearsals, now held weekly at the Grande Rio headquarters.
Rua Almirante Barroso, 5 (Centro). Tue 1pm. Free
The school gives a taste of what it will bring to Sapucaí with street rehearsals on Sunday, the 5th, at 4pm, in Ramos, on Rua Euclides Faria. Afterward, the rehearsals will take place weekly.
Rua Professor Lacê, 235 (Ramos). Sat 8pm. Free
The traditional green and pink rehearses on the street on Thursdays and Sundays. The samba enredo rehearsal takes place at the samba school’s headquarters.
Rua Visconde de Niterói, 1,072 (Mangueira). Sat 10pm. Free
Every Saturday, until Carnival, the school will rehearse on the street. This year’s theme is "Back to the Future – There are no limits to dreaming."
Praça Guilherme da Silveira (Bangu). Sat 6pm. Free
The school rehearses its samba enredo, "Who’s Afraid of Xica Manincongo?", on Mondays. The meeting point is in front of Colégio Pedro II.
Campo de São Cristóvão. Mon 8pm. Free
This year, the most successful Carnival school pays tribute to the singer Milton Nascimento. The rehearsal sessions at the school’s headquarters take place on Wednesdays at 8:00 PM with free entry. On Fridays, starting at 9:00 PM, the Portela Convida event features a different Special Group school each week. Tickets start at R$20. On Sundays, street rehearsals happen on Estrada do Portela, also from 9:00 PM.
Rua Clara Nunes, 81 (Oswaldo Cruz). Wed 8:00 PM, Fri 9:00 PM. R$20.
Starting on January 9th, the red and white school begins its street rehearsals. With the theme "Salgueiro de Corpo Fechado," the school will talk about the human connection with the search for spiritual protection.
Rua Maxwell (Vila Isabel). Thu. Free
New to the Special Group, the school holds its street rehearsals every Friday. This week, on January 10th, it will rehearse in Vila Vintém.
Praça Guilherme da Silveira (Bangu). Fri 10pm. Free
With singer Anitta and historian Luiz Antônio Simas signing this year's samba enredo, there is high expectation that the singer will appear at one of the school's rehearsals, which will take place on Saturdays, starting at 10pm. The street rehearsals, also in Santo Cristo, at Vida D1, are always on Thursdays, at 7pm.
Avenida Francisco Bicalho, 47 (Santo Cristo). Sat 10pm. R$30 (Free until 11pm)
The Pontal Museum has prepared a full program for this carnival. There will be 3 consecutive weekends of festivities, from February 15th to March 2nd, with carnival dances and two workshops to create your own accessories.
Check out the full Carnival program at the Pontal Museum:
Saturday (15/02)
10am to 12pm: Head Accessories Workshop - Martha Loureiro will teach participants how to create carnival accessories using ribbons, flowers, fruits, dolls, and characters from children's stories.
4pm to 6pm: Bateria Orquestra Show - With the theme "A Train Journey", the orchestra will take revelers on a musical journey from MPB to classic samba enredos.
Sunday (16/02)
10am to 12pm: Baby Carnival Dance - For children from 6 months to 3 years, accompanied by their guardians.
4pm to 6pm: Orquestra Popular Céu na Terra - Since 2001, this bloc has entertained the Santa Teresa neighborhood with a repertoire of marcinhas, sambas, frevos, and maxixes.
Saturday (22/02)
10am to 12pm: Bate-Bola Mask Workshop - Led by the all-female Bate-Bola Brilhetes de Anchieta group, participants will interact with the bate-bolas and create masks during the activity.
4pm to 6pm: Encanta Bloco - Inspired by the circus, the bloco features marcinhas, interactive activities, and magical characters roaming the space.
Sunday (23/02)
10am to 12pm: Baby Carnival Dance - For children from 6 months to 3 years, accompanied by their guardians.
4pm to 6pm: Bailinho da Fanfarrinha - The band's repertoire includes a blend of contemporary and classic children's songs that marked the childhoods of parents and grandparents.
Saturday (01/03)
10am to 12pm: Carnavalzinho do Violúdico - An interactive dance for the whole family, where the audience will experience carnival songs from different eras, including original pieces.
4pm to 6pm: Cordão da Bola Laranja - Composed of brass musicians, trumpet players, trombonists, saxophonists, flautists, and percussionists, this group will entertain little revelers with a repertoire of marchinhas and carnival sambas.
Sunday (02/03)
10am to 12pm: Baby Carnival Dance - For children from 6 months to 3 years, accompanied by their guardians.
4pm to 6pm: Bailinho do Bloco dos Bichos - Dressed as animals, the bloco members will play a repertoire of children's songs themed around animals.
Pontal Museum - Avenida Celia Ribeiro da Silva Mendes, 3.300, Barra da Tijuca.
Carnival isn’t just about blocos and samba schools! CarnaMango, Mango’s very own carnival festival, returns for its fourth edition in 2025. This year, the event takes place over three consecutive days (March 2nd, 3rd and 4th) at one of Rio’s most iconic live music venues, Circo Voador. Spread across the three-day lineup are major names in Brazilian music, including Criolo, Jorge Aragão, and Nação Zumbi.
Circo Voador. Rua dos Arcos s/n (Lapa). March 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 8pm. R$120
On March 1st, Rio de Janeiro’s anniversary, Rede Windsor is bringing the Carnival spirit with its traditional feijoada celebration. The big highlight of this edition is a special performance by singer Diogo Nogueira, who will kick off the festivities with his biggest hits, getting everyone in the samba mood.
The event will also pay tribute to the Clube do Samba, founded 45 years ago by João Nogueira (Diogo’s father). Adding to the party, there will be performances by Imperatriz Leopoldinense, the 2023 Rio Carnival champion, and the legendary Cordão da Bola Preta.
Guests can enjoy a full feijoada buffet with nine types of meat, plus a selection of salads, hot dishes, and desserts. Appetizers include feijão caldo, barbecue pork ribs, cassava fritters with shredded beef, and feijoada croquettes. The drinks package includes water, soft drinks, beer, and caipirinhas.
Hotel Windsor Oceânico. Rua Martinho de Mesquita, 129 (Barra da Tijuca). Saturday, March 1st, 1pm
Tickets: Adults – First batch: R$850 | Children (0-6 years) – First batch: R$425
The Auê Festival returns to Armazém da Utopia, in the port region, for its 6th edition. The event will last for six days and will feature full concerts by artists such as Ludmilla, Marina Sena, Belo, and Gloria Groove.
The festival's opening, on Sunday, March 2nd, will feature a performance by singer-songwriter Silva, known for hits such as "Fica tudo bem" and "Um Pôr do Sol na Praia". Once again part of the festival, the artist will present his biggest hits, along with new releases.
On Monday, the second day of the festival, 3rd March, Gloria Groove will make her debut at Auê. The singer will perform her biggest hits, promising to get everyone dancing with her pagode rhythms while also bringing some heartbreak with her love songs.
On Tuesday, 4th March, Marina Sena will once again grace the festival. With her captivating pop style, the artist will perform songs from her latest album, "Vício Inerente", as well as tracks from her debut solo work, "De Primeira", and surprises from her new album set for release in 2025. On the same day, the night will be opened by Duda Brack, who will present the "Proibido Não Gostar" tour.
On Wednesday, 5th March, it will be Belo's turn to take the stage. One of Brazil’s greatest pagode artists, he will perform at Auê for the first time. Last year, the singer launched the "Belo In Concert" show, featuring major hits that have marked generations.
After a brief break on Thursday, the festival returns on Friday, 7th March, with a performance by Ludmilla, considered one of Brazil's biggest singers, with over 4 billion streams across all digital platforms, thanks to her "Numanice" project. Having performed on the biggest stages in Brazil, she will make her first appearance at Auê, bringing her hits spanning funk and pagode.
Closing the 2025 season on Saturday, 8th March, is another first-time attraction at the festival: Os Garotin. Winners of the 2024 Grammy Award for "Best Contemporary Pop Album in Portuguese", the trio—formed by Anchietx, Cupertino, and Léo Guima—blends rhythms and styles, using an instrumental base influenced by R&B, soul, and MPB.
In addition to the main stage, Auê will also feature a second stage, hosting DJs from renowned parties and some of Rio’s most beloved alternative carnival street bands. Some confirmed attractions include O Baile Todo, Ibrejinha, Sinfônica Ambulante, and Nova Bad.
Check out the Auê Festival 2025 programme:
02/03: Silva + Sinfônica Ambulante
03/03: Gloria Groove + Love Songs + Amores Líquidos
04/03: Marina Sena + Duda Brack + Gravata Florida
05/03: Belo + Nova Bad + Cozinha Arrumada
07/03: Ludmilla + O Baile Todo
08/03: Os Garotin + About Bloco + Ibrejinha + Samba pra Roda
From 6pm
Armazém da Utopia - Avenida Rodrigues Alves, s/n, Cais do Porto/ Rio de Janeiro, RJ
During the height of the carnival season, this well-established festival blends pop, rap, funk, pagode, forró, piseiro, and sertanejo genres. The confirmed line-up includes artists such as Anitta, Sorriso Maroto, Ludmilla, Matuê, and Mari Fernandez, among others.
In addition to the standard ticket, known as "Arena Rildy", the event also offers the "Arena Open" ticket, which provides a privileged view of the stage, a rest area, and an open bar featuring whisky, gin, vodka, beer, and non-alcoholic options such as soft drinks and energy drinks.
Cidade das Artes - Avenida das Américas, 5300. March 1st to 4th at 2pm. Tickets
Born during Rio’s Carnival, the Majestique party has become a staple in the city's carnival calendar. Considered the best costume party of the season, it will, for the first time, feature a Premium Open Bar edition. The event boasts two stages—one dedicated to electronic music and the other to funk—promising to keep the crowd energised.
March 1st. Tickets
The highly anticipated Balbúrdia party returns for another edition this Carnival Friday. Brazil’s most sought-after duck opens the doors to "its universe" for another themed night, featuring a Full Open Bar and the Duckz Shot Bar. The lineup and attractions have yet to be announced, but surprises are promised to keep the crowd entertained. The venue will only be revealed on the day of the party.
Besides Sapucaí and the street blocos, Pink Flamingo, the city’s most popular LGBTQIA+ nightclub, has also prepared a special programme for revellers to enjoy.
On the Thursday before Carnival (27/02), from 21.00, the venue kicks off with the Abre Alas party, featuring in-house drag performances and DJs to set the festive mood. On Friday (28/02), Carnaval in Rio takes on an international flair with RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars Miranda Lebrão and Athena Likis as the main attractions.
The programme continues through the weekend. On Saturday (01/03), from 21.00, the Unidos da Pink Flamingo party will keep the celebration going all night long. On Sunday (02/03), the venue embraces the Oscars spirit, cheering on the Brazilian representatives.
The festivities carry on into Monday (03/03), when Pink Flamingo takes to the streets with its bloco featuring contestants from the first season of Drag Race Brasil. The Bloco da Rupaula will bring together Organzza, Shannon Skarlet, Helena Maldita, Betina Polaroid, Rubi Ocean, Naza, Melusine Sparkle, Tristan Soledade, Dallas de Vil, and Diva More once again.
On Tuesday (04/03), it will be time to revive the traditions of the great LGBTQ+ Carnival balls that have made history in Rio’s celebrations. The one bringing all the glamour to Gala 2025 will be Amanda Lepore, the North American model regarded as a transgender icon.
And the party at Pink Flamingo doesn’t even stop on Ash Wednesday! On 05/03, Tchakabum will liven up the crowd at Treta de Cinzas, a Carnival edition of one of the country’s most well-known LGBTQ+ parties. For those who still have energy, the Thursday after Carnival (06/03) will feature performances by Valesca Popozuda and Aretuza Lovi at Carna Are.
The weekend comes around again, and of course, the celebrations continue. On Friday (07/03), Verão do Striptease will see Riquêncio, the dancer from Pedro Sampaio’s viral music video, take to the stage. To wrap up the programme, Sábado das Campeãs (08/03) and Domingueira Ressaca de Carnaval (09/03) will feature DJs and drag performances.
Check out the full programme:
27/02 - 21.00
Abre Alas
28/02 - 21.00
Carnaval in Rio with Miranda Lebrão and Athena Likis
01/03 - 21.00
Unidos da Pink Flamingo
02/03 - 21.00
Domingueira Carnaval do Oscar
03/03 - 21.00
Bloco da Rupaula with contestants from the first season of Drag Race Brasil
04/03 - 21.00
Gala 2025 with Amanda Lepore
05/03 - 21.00
Treta de Cinzas with Tchakabum
06/03 - 21.00
Carna Are with Aretuza Lovi and Valesca Popozuda
07/03 - 21.00
Verão do Striptease with Riquêncio
08/03 - 21.00
Sábado das Campeãs
09/03 - 21.00
Domingueira Ressaca de Carnaval
Rua Raul Pompeia, 102 - Copacabana.
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