Although Carnival (Carnaval in Portuguese) is celebrated in towns and villages throughout Brazil and other Catholic countries, Rio de Janeiro has long been regarded as the Carnival Capital of the World. The Rio Carnaval is not only the biggest Carnival, benchmark against which every other carnival is compared but also one of the most interesting artistic events on the Globe. Pretty much everyone has heard of the Rio Carnaval. Foreign visitors to it alone number around 500,000 every year.

Rio Carnival is a wild 4 day celebration, 40 days before Easter. It officially starts on Saturday and finishes on Fat Tuesday with the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday after which one is supposed to abstain from all bodily pleasures. Carnival with all its excesses, celebrated as a profane event, can thus be considered an act of farewell to the pleasures of the flesh. It usually happens in February, the hottest month in the Southern Hemisphere, when the Rio summer is at its peak.

There are carnival celebrations in virtually every corner of Brazil, the best-known ones taking place in Recife together with the neighboring Olinda (in the North of Brazil) and Salvador. But the biggest and most famous carnival is undoubtedly the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.

SAMBA PARADES IN THE SAMBODROMO

Rio Carnaval has become world-famous through the Samba Parade, a show, a display and competition of the Rio samba schools. The two major days are Carnival Sunday and Monday. Try not to miss it. If you really can't afford it, at least go on some other day, which is significantly cheaper albeit less grand. The second best option is the Champions´ Parade on Saturday, followed by the Access Group parading on Carnival Friday.

There are 5 different parades in the Sambodromo.

1. Samba Schools in the Special Group
Sunday, February 14th and Monday, February 15th -
This is the "THE" Parade, the highlight of the Rio Carnival. The must-see show which has made Rio de Janeiro the Carnival capital of the world. All the Carnival world revolves around these two nights.
The schools belonging to this group are especially magnificent and sumptuous.
The two nights are similar in terms of set-up. 6 of the best 12 samba schools march on both Sunday and Monday. Choose the one which best fits into your schedule.
Doors open at 17:00, opening ceremony at 20:00, parades start at 21:00.
Rehearsals - The schools' 2010 samba songs

2. Champions Parade
Saturday, February 20th - See time-table
Starts at 21:00 but a small Italian school already parades at 20:00
The 6 best samba schools of the Special Group, from Sunday and Monday, parade in all their splendor once more, with fireworks.
{It is beautiful, however much quieter and cheaper than the principal competition days on Sunday and Monday. This is the second best parade.}

3. Samba Schools in the Access Group (Group A)
Saturday, February 13th , starts at 21:00
There are 10 large samba schools in this group, following the best 12 schools in the Special Group. The champion of this parade ascends to the Special Group.

4. Samba Schools in Group "B"
Tuesday, February 16th, starts at 21:00
This is called the base group, from which the big schools originated. They are small, each school having approximately 1,500 participants. Nevertheless they also parade with much vigor to defend their status. {Rather go to the Champions´ Parade or Access Group.}

5. Children's Samba Schools
Friday, February 12th, 19:00 (doors open at 17:00)
These are branches of the big samba schools, formed by children of each community.
Their parade follows the procedure of the big schools.

2010 RIO CARNIVAL BALLS

Rio de Janeiro, as the City of Carnival, offers a selection of Carnival balls. You should not miss them. You won't have to spend a fortune to have a great time. Tickets to most balls will cost you around R$30 to R$50 ($15-20) and are available at the door. Exceptions are the two most famous luxury hotels, Copacabana Palace and Gloria. Other great balls are in Rio Scala. Clube dos Caiçaras and the Hard Rock Cafe's Kid's Folia also organize animated costume balls for adults and children. There are more themed balls city-wide such as nights for singles, etc.
Costumes are not mandatory, with the exception of at a few balls. Putting on one will help you get in the right mood and will make the night even more special. Bear in mind however that Rio is the capital of Carnival and costume standards are very high.
A true Carnival ball features live music and samba rules the floor. The percussion groups are full of vigor and can be just as loud as loud-speakers in a night club.

The Magic Ball at Copacabana Palace Hotel
Saturday, February 13th, from 23:00
This legendary ball is not just the high point of the night but also the most famous Carnival ball; the natural choice for glamour and sophistication. Luxury costume or black tie/evening dress is required, and a number of international and local VIPs are always among the guests. All tickets include buffet dinner and free bar.
There are different tickets for the individual dining rooms. All tickets provide access to all ballrooms.

Last year's prices were as follows
Golden Room: R$1,950=app. US$1,000
Noble Room: R$1,300=app. US$650
Standard R$1,000=app. US$500
Box: R$2,750=app. US$1,500 per person

Ball Masque 2010
Friday, February 19th, 22:00-05:00
Live music taking turns with a DJ and the drummers of one of the best Rio samba schools.
Dress formal or wear a fancy-dress.
Venue: Hotel Sofitel, Av. Atlântica 4240 / Level E - Copacabana
Admission: R$370.00
Table seat per person: R$500.00
Prices include free buffet and drinks
Tel: 2525-1206 (Alexandra-English spoken 9:00-18:00)

SCALA BALLS

Reserver your tickets in advance with our Ticket Center.

In its 29th year, the Scala nightclub offers thematic dances every night during Carnival, having the grandest indoor carnival parties of the city. The venue is big and very well-known.
Venue: Rio Scala, Avenida Afrânio de Melo Franco 296 - Leblon

You will find standard tickets for most events at the door even on the night, just do not arrive too late.
You are advised to buy tickets for the Gala and the Gay Costume balls 3-5 days in advance. Reserve tables and boxes 3-5 days in advance with the above number.
Table prices are per table with 4 seats.
VIP box prices are per person and include unlimited alcoholic drinks (except whiskey) and free buffet with sushi, fruit and snack bar.

Thursday, February 11tht
Mangueira Carnival Ball
It is a good opportunity to experience the music and atmosphere of one of the most traditional and well-known samba schools (Mangueira) without having to visit its rehearsal space. The School will have it all - its drummer group, its principal samba dancers and the flag bearer and her escort. It is a true and real samba night; you can dance all night or just watch and enjoy the crowd. This is a traditional event which happens every year.
Standing Ticket: US$ 40 per ticket
VIP box seat: US$ 133 per ticket
Table for 4: US$ 267 per table of 4

Friday, February 12th
Red and Black Ball
This night celebrates and is dedicated to the world-famous Rio football team, Flamengo, with the red-and-black striped flag. It is one of the most popular nights.
Standing Ticket: US$ 60 per ticket
VIP box seat: US$ 167 per ticket
Table for 4: US$ 467 per table of 4

Saturday, February 13th
Ball of the Marvelous City
The night celebrates and is dedicated to the city of Rio de Janeiro.
Standing Ticket: US$ 60 per ticket
VIP box seat: US$ 167 per ticket
Table for 4: US$ 467 per table of 4

Sunday, February 14th
A Night in Ibiza
This is the biggest ball in the series with some special guests, with a mix of electronic music and samba.
Standing Ticket: US$ 40 per ticket
VIP box seat: US$ 133 per ticket
Table for 4: US$ 267 per table of 4

Monday, February 15th
Ball of the ´Beer´
A new event in the series. Unlimited free beer all night. Live music by a Carnival band taking turns with a Rio DJ (Mc Marcinho).
Standing Ticket: US$ 50 per ticket
VIP box seat: US$ 167 per ticket
Table for 4: US$ 267 per table of 4

Tuesday, February 16th until 7:00 am
Gay Costume Ball
This is probably the most famous night in the series. A truly exotic collection of characters take to the two floors and a grand entrance is de rigueur. The ball is broadcast to the whole of Brazil. It attracts a flamboyant crowd with lots of drag queens and their admirers.
It is very popular with all folks not only gay boys and girls.
Standing Ticket: US$ 80 per ticket
VIP box seat: US$ 200 per ticket
Table for 4: US$ 533 per table of 4

SAMBA LAND (TERREIRÃO DO SAMBA)

Februuary 5th, 6th, February 12th-16th, 19th and 20th
Starting at 19:00 and finishing at around 5:30 the following morning.
This is an open-air space that resurrects the atmosphere of Praça Onze, a big square downtown near the Sambodromo, which is the cradle of samba as samba music is supposed to have been born around here.

Samba Land is officially inaugurated before Carnival, functioning at full steam through all the nights of the festivities. You can go, have a bite and booze in one of the 50 food stands. You will be listening to a big variety of music with live concerts on the stage
Venue: Praça Onze, Centro (Downtown)
Admission: R$5.00 available on the door

MERRY MAKING IN LAPA

All Carnival nights (Friday-Tuesday) from 20:00 until dawn. It takes place near the Arches of Lapa, where the young usually gather on Friday nights all year around.

Rio Carnival has been long known as a nursery for novelties of rhythm and styles. It always has pleasant surprises featuring concerts ranging from traditional Brazilian music to the latest trends.

There is a popular eating area with small drink and barbecue stands. Lots of alcohol and cheap "junk" food. The essence of Brazilian life.
Venue: Arcos da Lapa - Lapa

STREET PARTIES

From Carnival Saturday to Tuesday, open-air dances take place throughout the city. The emphasis is on joy and spontaneity. The biggest and most organized one is on Cinelândia Square.

Apart from organized street dances, people also simply gather outside little corner bars, booze away and have fun in the street. The place which attracts the biggest crowd is outside the Sambodromo, on Samba Parade days.

Popular street dance at Cinelândia
Friday-Tuesday 17:00-03:00 am
The open-air party lasts for five days to the sounds of acclaimed orchestras and singers. These are symbols of carnival music, reviving the atmosphere of the grand carnival balls of the past.

There is a stage on the square with idols and the most well-known singers of the times of early radio (from the 40-60s) - good, old Brazilian-Rio music, mainly samba. The crowd (mainly older and working-class people) join in and dance away to the tunes.

Venue: Praça Floriano, Cinelândia, Centro (Downtown)

OUTSIDE THE SAMBODROMO

On Samba Parade nights, it does not only get packed inside the Sambodromo but, before, during and after the Parade, thousands of people gather on the streets that did not get in. They are also joined by those who parade in costume and just want to party more, making the crowd even more colorful with their fancy-dresses. It turns the whole downtown area into a huge and lively open-air bar.

PARADE REHEARSALS IN THE COMMUNITY

These are real parade rehearsals with the paraders and the drummers more or less in place, marching through the streets.

However they happen in the schools´communities which are sometimes far away and in very impoverished areas. You can go to watch this type of rehearsal of any school but you can only participate in your own school's parade.

SAMBODROMO REHEARSALS

There are grand rehearsals that take place on the samba run-way in the Sambodromo itself. It is almost like the Samba Parade without costumes and floats (they are replaced by busses) and with less participants. They start in December and there will be a few almost every weekend.

The last rehearsal in the Sambodromo takes place last Sunday
Sunday, February 7th 21:00-23:00
Testing of lights and sound with the Samba School Salgueiro, the 2009 Grand Champion

You can go and watch it. It's free. You can try most Grand Stand sectors although it will be very busy. It is a good opportunity to warm you up for the great party that will develop during the Samba Parade and see it all in preparation.

After the rehearsal, there will be a large free street party with very good live samba music and people dancing on the samba run-way. Some wear costumes and colorful dresses. It is an experience.

Outside the Sambodromo there is an eating area (Brazilian style - do not expect any sophistication) which includes small barbecue and drink stands. There is lots of booze and cheap food. The essence of Brazilian life.