Stories told through dance and music
Rio’s samba-school parades develop each school’s chosen theme through dance, music, costumes and floats, combining performance with competition. Carnival across Brazil includes distinct regional rhythms and formats, so samba alone does not describe every city’s celebration.
Sambadrome viewing and street blocos
At the Sambadrome, visitors watch samba-school parades from designated spectator areas. Street blocos offer a different Carnival experience, and a parade spectator ticket is not a place in a school’s performance. Anyone interested in performing must check the school’s separate process and conditions.
Read the 2027 calendar event by event
LIESA lists the Grupo Especial competitive parades for 7, 8 and 9 February 2027. These dates do not describe every street event in Rio or Carnival across all of Brazil. Recheck the city’s official information for each bloco’s date and route.
Costumes and consideration
Masks and costumes are part of Carnival expression, but a visitor’s outfit is different from a samba school’s performance costume. As practical editorial guidance, check each event’s permitted-item rules and leave procession routes and performers’ space clear. Ask before close-up photography or physical contact.