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Carnival 2026 will feature a mega integrated operation by the City Hall.
Published on 05/02/2026 - 14:26 | Updated on 09/02/2026 - 11:16
There will be seven days of parades at the Sambadrome - Rafael Catarcione/Rio City Hall The Rio de Janeiro City Hall presented, this Thursday (February 5th), at the Rio Operations Center (COR), the Operational Plan for Carnival 2026. The expectation is that around 8 million people will circulate through the city during the Carnival days. In the Marquês de Sapucaí Sambadrome alone, seven days of parades are planned, involving the Gold Series, the Special Group, and the Children's Samba Schools.
Just like last year, the Special Group will feature three nights of performances, bringing together four schools per day, while the Gold Series will parade over two days. Meanwhile, Estrada Intendente Magalhães will host six days of parades, distributed between the Silver and Bronze series, as well as the Theme Blocks and Evaluation Groups.
The program also includes more than 30 popular dances spread across different regions of the city, the parades of the "Blocos de Embalo" and "Blocos de Enredo" on Avenida Chile, in addition to the traditional "Baile e Concurso Folião Original" in Cinelândia.
Another highlight is the Terreirão do Samba, in Praça Onze, which will host more than 40 artists throughout the Carnival period. The expectation is for a daily audience of around 10 people. During the presentation of the plan, each municipal agency involved detailed its strategies for operating during the parades at the Sambadrome and Intendente Magalhães, including traffic operations, urban cleaning, security, health, and public order.
The president of Riotur, Bernardo Fellows, highlighted the city's expertise in organizing large-scale productions and the ongoing effort to improve the Carnival operation.
"Rio has a historical vocation for hosting major events. We are working in an integrated way with public and private bodies to guarantee organization, security, and comfort for locals and tourists. The expectation is for another unforgettable Carnival for the city," he stated.
COR-Rio will have more than 400 cameras, drones, and an advanced base at the Sambadrome.
The Rio de Janeiro City Hall's Operations and Resilience Center (COR-Rio) has prepared a special plan for Carnival 2026, with more than 500 operators working in different shifts. For the parades at the Marquês de Sapucaí, more than 400 cameras will be used, in addition to drones and an advanced unit at the Sambadrome.
Through the equipment, COR-Rio teams will monitor, in real time, the movements of the floats of the samba schools that will parade in the Sambadrome. The Special Group samba schools will be monitored between Cidade do Samba, in Gamboa, and the concentration point on Avenida Presidente Vargas. The floats of the Gold Series schools will have their movements monitored from their warehouses in Caju, São Cristóvão, and Santo Cristo. In both groups, camera coverage will extend from the Port Zone to the Sapucaí region.
Boarding and disembarking at the train, light rail, and metro stations located at Central do Brasil, Praça Onze, and Estácio will also be monitored to track the movement of revelers. The devices will also be focused on monitoring traffic closures, as well as detours and alternative routes. In addition, three drones will be used exclusively within the perimeter of the Marquês de Sapucaí. The equipment will generate images for COR-Rio, and in case of any emergency during the parades, operational teams will be immediately activated. Furthermore, an advanced COR-Rio unit will be positioned at the entrance to the Sambadrome, with operators monitoring access and the actions of agencies in the region during the parade days.
During the Carnival celebrations on Intendente Magalhães Avenue, in the northern part of the city, monitoring will be carried out with the help of 60 cameras installed around the perimeter, in the neighborhoods of Campinho, Oswaldo Cruz, Praça Seca, Madureira, and Cascadura. A drone will also be used on parade days to enhance the analytical capabilities of the operators in the Situation Room.
During the parade days, images from cameras and drones will be transmitted on the video wall in a special layout developed to facilitate the work of the operators mobilized at the Operations Center. COR-Rio has more than 5.500 of its own cameras positioned at different points in the city.
Tourists and locals should download the COR.Rio app to stay informed about the main events: traffic blockages, weather forecasts, and road closures. The COR app is free, available for Android and iOS in app stores, and has versions in Portuguese, Spanish, English, French, and Chinese. It's worth remembering that road closures caused by the parades will also be available on the Waze app, a COR-Rio partner, thus preventing users from getting stuck in traffic jams caused by the parades.
Inspection, technology and patrolling mark operation on the avenue.
The special operation by the Municipal Secretariat of Public Order (Seop) and the Municipal Guard of Rio (GM-Rio) for the Samba School parades at the Sambadrome in downtown Rio, and for other locations with festivities such as Estrada Intendente Magalhães and Avenida República do Chile, will involve the deployment of 950 agents per parade day. The operation will begin on Thursday (February 12th) with preventive actions involving traffic monitoring and enforcement, and will extend until Saturday, February 21st, when the Champions' Parade takes place. Sixty patrol cars will be used, in addition to eight tow trucks and one truck to support the personnel.
The SEOP (Municipal Secretariat of Public Order) and GM-Rio (Municipal Guard of Rio) teams will operate both inside and outside the Sambadrome to promote urban order and the safety of revelers, as well as providing assistance in emergency situations. Inside the Sambadrome, the teams will operate around the health posts that will be set up on site and also at the entrances to the stands. Teams from the Maria da Penha Patrol (RMP) will also be present at strategic points in the Sambadrome, acting to apprehend cases of violence against women and providing emergency support, in addition to promoting the Specialized Care Network, in support of the Special Secretariat for Policies and Promotion of Women. The use of technology will be fundamental for the teams' movement. Therefore, images from the cameras of the Operations and Resilience Center (COR-Rio) and the use of drones will be essential to assist the Public Order agents.
In the external area, the focus of operations will be on supporting road blockades and also the actions of inspectors from the Sub-Secretariat of Operations and the Urban Control Coordination (CCU) in regulating street vending. There will be 81 road blockade points covered by the Rio Municipal Guard (GM-Rio). Municipal guards will also act to combat crimes, promoting preventive patrolling actions. Teams from the Special Coordination of Complementary Transportation (CETC) and the Parking and Towing Inspection Management (GFER) will operate in the surrounding area to curb unlicensed vans and illegal parking. The GM-Rio will also monitor the maneuvering area for the floats accessing the Sambadrome during the parade, on Avenida Frei Caneca and intersecting streets.
The teams involved in the operation will be assisted by professionals who will be seated in the COR-Rio Situation Room to provide faster response to demands and situations requiring intervention from the GM-Rio and Seop teams. There will also be distribution of identification bracelets for children by municipal guards during the Samba School parade.
The Women's Secretariat reinforces protection during Carnival with integrated actions.
The operation includes specialized services, informational campaigns, partnerships with Airbnb, the Public Prosecutor's Office, transportation companies, and visual actions in public spaces throughout the city.
The Municipal Secretariat for Women's Policies and Care of Rio de Janeiro (SPM-Rio) has prepared a comprehensive operation for Carnival 2026, focusing on the prevention and combating of violence against women across different areas of the city. The actions include specialized services in the main Carnival circuits, educational campaigns in public spaces, institutional partnerships, and communication strategies to expand access to information and the municipal protection network.
During the Carnival period, SPM-Rio will be present at key Carnival locations with trained technical teams to offer immediate support, guidance, and referrals. Fixed service points will be set up at Marquês de Sapucaí, Intendente Magalhães, and the Carnival Fan Fest in Copacabana, staffed by social workers, psychologists, and lawyers.
In addition, teams of mobilizers will circulate through the street parades and the Carnival in the Parks, between February 12th and 22nd, carrying out informational actions, identifying risk situations and distributing materials from the "Carnival + Safe for Women" campaign.
The campaign will also include placing stickers in the VIP area restrooms with clear messages against violence and QR codes that direct users to the platform www.mulher.rio. This initiative is carried out in partnership with the Public Prosecutor's Office of the State of Rio de Janeiro (MPRJ), expanding the reach of information and reporting mechanisms to the private spaces of the festival as well.
In partnership with Dream Factory, the producer of Rio's Carnival, the Secretariat will take the campaign to the street parades, installing informational posters in the restrooms of these events. The collaboration also includes a high-impact visual action in Copacabana, with the installation of an LED cube fixed at the corner of Avenida Princesa Isabel and Avenida Atlântica, displaying informational messages throughout Carnival.
The content conveyed the warning: “75% of women have already suffered harassment. During Carnival, this cannot be normal. Carnival is for fun. Respect means living safely. Ask for help,” directing users to the website www.mulher.rio and to the SPM-Rio WhatsApp number.
Another important aspect of the operation is communication within public transportation systems. In partnership with Rio Ônibus, RioTer, and ÔnibusPainel, the Secretariat will broadcast informative teasers on digital panels at strategic city terminals, such as the Paulo Portela Terminal, the Alvorada Terminal (Barra da Tijuca, including BRT and urban buses), and the Campo Grande Terminal. These audiovisual pieces, without sound, will reinforce messages about violence prevention and direct users to www.mulher.rio, reaching thousands of people circulating daily throughout the city.
Furthermore, in partnership with the Municipal Department of Conservation, physical signs will be installed with the message "Ask for Help," which will also direct users to the Department's website.
In the field of tourism, SPM-Rio has established an unprecedented partnership with Airbnb to expand access to information among visitors. The platform will now include, in its annual manual distributed to guests, institutional content from the Secretariat with guidelines on how to identify situations of violence, the main types of aggression — physical, psychological, moral, sexual, obstetric and patrimonial — and where to seek help in Rio de Janeiro.
The material presents the equipment of the municipal network, such as the Confidential Shelter, the Carioca Women's Houses, the Citizen Women's Rooms, the Specialized Centers for Women's Assistance (NEAM), the Specialized Centers for Psychological Assistance (NEAP) and the Specialized Centers for Women's Assistance (CEAM), in addition to calling 190 in situations of immediate risk.
More than 2.500 tons removed from the networks and canals of the Sambadrome.
The Rio-Águas Foundation is carrying out flood prevention services in the Sambadrome area. The work began in December and is nearing completion. More than 2500 tons of debris have already been removed from the canals in the downtown Rio area and from the drainage networks of the Sambadrome and its surroundings. The Mangue Canal was cleaned along Avenida Presidente Vargas, as was the Papa-Couve River, which runs under Rua Marquês de Sapucaí. Teams are still working to clear storm drains in streets surrounding the Sambadrome, with the help of a vacuum truck. The work will be completed next week.
Comlurb reinforces cleaning and installs containers at carnival locations.
Comlurb has planned a special mega-cleaning operation for the parades at the Sambadrome, Intendente Magalhães, and Avenida Chile – Bira Presidente, as well as the popular dances in the neighborhoods and Cinelândia. The company will have 1.943 sanitation workers working daily at all the carnival locations. The company is providing 240-liter containers and high-capacity containers at all locations with large crowds to facilitate waste disposal by revelers.
The grand spectacle of the samba schools at the Sambadrome will feature 873 sanitation workers each day for the seven parades (three from the Special Group, two from the Gold Series, one from the Children's Schools, and the Champions' Parade). They will work with the support of 14 compactor trucks, six dump trucks, 20 leaf blowers, 12 mini sweepers, two pressure washers, and a water tanker for washing the parade runway with reused water. One thousand 240-liter containers and two 15 m³ compactor boxes will be installed inside the Sambadrome so that samba dancers and the public can properly dispose of their waste.
The entire area surrounding the Sambadrome will also receive specialized cleaning. The nighttime operation will involve 364 street cleaners and 35 urban cleaning agents. The daytime operation will have 141 street cleaners and 22 urban cleaning agents. Among the vehicles and equipment used daily throughout the exterior of the Sambadrome, including access roads, are: four compactor trucks, two mini dump trucks (satellites), four water tankers, and two motorized pump vans for hydraulic cleaning with reused water. After each day of parades, a large sweeper will assist with the final cleaning. 70 high-capacity containers and 50 240-liter containers will be available for the proper disposal of waste.
For the samba school parades of the Silver and Bronze Series, on the stage set up on Estrada Intendente Magalhães, in Campinho, Comlurb will deploy 123 street sweepers and 33 urban cleaning agents for the night operation, and 42 street sweepers and six urban cleaning agents for the day operation, daily. Five compactor trucks, two mini sweepers, one large sweeper at the end of each day of parades, one electric cart, and two mini dump trucks (satellites) will be used. Street washing will be done with four water tankers and two motorized pump vans, which use reused water. 428 high-capacity containers and 100 240-liter containers will be available for the proper disposal of waste.
In all carnival areas, Comlurb will carry out cleaning before, during, and after the events, with mechanized sweeping and removal and collection of generated waste. The Company will have a cleaning team at all the popular dances in Cinelândia during the four official days of carnival. The daily staff consists of 40 sanitation workers, who will perform the services with the support of a compactor truck for waste removal and collection, a large sweeper at the end of each dance day, and a water tanker for hydraulic cleaning with reused water and soap. 50 high-capacity containers will be available throughout the Cinelândia area. On Avenida Chile – Bira Presidente, during the parades of the themed blocks, the Company will have 80 sanitation workers per day, who will carry out the work with a compactor truck and a water tanker. 100 high-capacity containers will be distributed throughout the parade avenue and access points.
For the cleaning of the popular dances that will be held in various neighborhoods of the North Zone during the four days of Carnival, Comlurb has deployed 280 sanitation workers per day, divided among all the dances. Each location will have a compactor truck for waste removal, a large sweeper at the end of each day of parades, and a water tanker for hydraulic cleaning using reused water. 240-liter containers and high-capacity containers will be installed at all dances.
Department of Conservation renews asphalt on Sapucaí Avenue and reinforces preventive measures.
For the implementation of the new sound system at the Sambadrome, the Department of Conservation installed ten transverse ducts along the entire length of the Sapucaí. These structures house the sound cables, as well as electrical conduits and stage lighting, eliminating the presence of exposed wires on the runway.
With this stage completed, the entire avenue received new asphalt, ensuring better conditions for the technical rehearsals and parades of Carnival 2026. The investment by the Department of Conservation in the services was 927 thousand reais.
To prevent flooding during the parades in case of rain, teams from Operation Abre Ralo, in conjunction with the Special Operations Coordination of the Conservation Secretariat, will be on duty at the Sambadrome. The actions include cleaning, unclogging drains and sewers, and leveling cracks, ensuring adequate water drainage and the continuation of the festivities.
Following the success of last year's initiative, the Department of Conservation is once again applying aromatic essences to the drains at the Sambadrome starting with the first parade. The applications will be made after each samba school passes, providing greater comfort to the samba dancers and the public. This year, the essences will feature new aromas. In 2025, 138 applications were carried out in the 46 drains of the Sambadrome.
Special transport operation for the samba school parades.
The Rio de Janeiro City Hall, through the Municipal Secretariat of Transportation (SMTR), has prepared a special operation for the public transportation system during the 2026 Carnival parades. The public is advised to plan their trips in advance, due to the planned road closures around the Sambadrome in the city center and on Estrada Intendente Magalhães in the North Zone.
During the parade days, there will be increased operation of night bus services serving the Sambadrome area, with lines integrated into the Gentileza Terminal, expanding travel options for the public. The following lines are planned: SN104 (Gentileza Terminal x São Conrado), SN474 (Méier x Copacabana), SN209 (Caju x Candelária), SN298 (Acari x Castelo), SN624 (Mariópolis x Praça da República), and SN312 (Penha x Candelária).
On the days of the Special Series parades, February 15th, 16th, and 17th, BRT services 60 and 80, which already operate 24 hours a day, will have increased fleet capacity starting from the Gentileza Terminal, while other services with uninterrupted operation will continue to function normally throughout the city. For the parades on Estrada Intendente Magalhães, the public is recommended to use the Campinho or Pinto Teles stations, which will have special operating hours. The return trip after the parades should be made via the Paulo da Portela Terminal, starting at 4 am, or via the Madureira–Manaceia station, open 24 hours a day.
The taxi service will also have a specific scheme in the vicinity of the parades. Sector Par will be designated for the taxi rank of accredited Táxi.Rio taxis, located on Rua Afonso Cavalcanti, at the corner of Rua Carmo Neto. Between February 13th and 17th, as well as on the 21st, taxi access to the blocked areas will follow these rules: the blockade will begin at 19 pm; until 20 pm, all taxis with passengers may access for disembarkation; from 20 pm until the end of the blockade, only Táxi.Rio vehicles accredited with a QR Code will be authorized; and special taxis for people with disabilities may access the blocked area without restrictions.
Social Services identifies children with wristbands and offers a space for social interaction to the children of street vendors.
The Municipal Secretariat of Social Assistance (SMAS) of Rio will intensify its actions to protect children and adolescents during Carnival 2026. This year's campaign has the motto "Protecting is our theme" and includes a space for the children of street vendors to socialize, identification bracelets, and prevention actions at the Sambadrome and other points in the city.
During the Gold Series parades (February 13 and 14), the Special Group parades (February 15, 16 and 17) and the Champions' Parade (February 21), children and teenagers will be identified with wristbands containing the name and telephone number of their parents or guardians. This measure contributes to a quick reunion and ensures greater safety and peace of mind for families.
The SMAS teams will operate both itinerantly and at fixed points. At the Sambadrome, there will be Social Assistance tents at the entrances to sectors 1 and 2 (Rua Benedito Hipólito), at the dispersal area (Rua Frei Caneca), and at the entrances to sectors 8 and 9.
The initiative will also take place during the parades on Intendente Magalhães Avenue, which will host the Federation of Carnival Groups (Group 1) on the 14th, the Silver Series on the 15th and 16th, the Evaluation Group on the 17th, and the Bronze Series on the 20th and 21st.
Community Space – Between the 14th and 17th and on the 21st, children of street vendors who work at or around the Sambadrome can be cared for in a community space for children aged 4 to 12. The service will operate from 6 pm to 18 am at the Rachel de Queiroz Early Childhood Education Center (EDI), on Avenida Presidente Vargas, near the Sambadrome, with 50 places available per night. The space will offer food, recreational activities, and a rest area. SMAS professionals will actively seek out children in the vicinity of the Sambadrome, and street vendors can also spontaneously approach the teams identified by their vests.
Prevention during crowd dispersal – SMAS will also carry out the campaign “Crowd dispersal is no place for fun”, aimed at preventing accidents in Praça da Apoteose, during the parades of the Série Ouro, the Grupo Especial and the Sábado das Campeãs.
Educators and social workers will advise parents and guardians about the risks of children remaining in the dispersal area, where floats and cranes circulate. Children will not be allowed to remain in the area after the performances.
In addition to these initiatives, SMAS will work on providing social support to vulnerable individuals, actively searching for missing children and adolescents, offering temporary institutional care when necessary, and promoting campaigns to eradicate child labor and combat sexual violence.
RioLuz has prepared a special lighting and monitoring operation.
At the Sambadrome, 570 spotlights were installed (510 facing the runway), along with towers with moving lights and RGBW spotlights, as well as 24 km of fiber optic cable, 14 cameras integrated into the control room, four TVs with real-time images, and a 3D projection system.
Around the Sambadrome, the reinforcement includes 232 spotlights and 100 cameras between Avenida Francisco Bicalho and Central do Brasil. Operation Wire Hunter operated along the entire route from Cidade do Samba to Sapucaí. During the parades, 128 employees will be on duty, as well as three aerial work platform trucks.
The work extends to other venues: at Intendente Magalhães, there was complete maintenance, reinforcement with 104 projectors, and a "Wire Hunter" operation with 36 professionals on duty. At Terreirão do Samba, RioLuz provides lighting, stage power, and a team of 15 employees. The company also supports approximately 300 events in the city with power switches and lighting points.
Folia Verde reinforces sustainability and environmental compensation initiatives at the festival.
An initiative of the Secretariat of Environment and Climate (SMAC), the Folia Verde campaign reaffirms the commitment to transforming the country's largest popular festival into a model of sustainability, with the reinforcement of the Planta+Rio program for Carnival 2026. Around 450 professionals are mobilized this year, including recyclable waste collectors and members of the Guardiãs das Matas program, which brings together female community leaders.
The goal is to promote good environmental practices in the city's street carnival blocks and also in the parades at Marquês de Sapucaí and Estrada Intendente Magalhães, in the North Zone; thus reducing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG).
Through the Planta+Rio initiative, environmental compensation actions will be promoted in connection with the country's largest popular festival, including planting seedlings of native Atlantic Forest species, restoring green areas and public spaces, and raising awareness about the importance of urban afforestation and nature-based solutions.
Other professionals from the Folia Verde campaign also interact with revelers in environmental education activities with educational quizzes and the distribution of gifts. This year, the initiative involves at least 25 carnival groups, including mega-groups, which receive the 'Folia Verde Seal'.
CET-Rio sets up special traffic operation for parades and street parties.
The Rio de Janeiro Traffic Engineering Company (CET-Rio) has set up special traffic schemes to ensure road safety during the 2026 Rio Carnival for the samba school parades at the Sambadrome and on Intendente Magalhães Avenue, and for the street parades on the Avenida Chile Bira Presidente circuit.
The operations aim to reduce the impact on the city's mobility and promote traffic flow in the Central and Northern Zone regions. On average, 310 traffic operators will be deployed at the roadblocks and to guide drivers, in addition to municipal guards and traffic controllers, with the support of 30 patrol cars, 45 motorcycles, and 24 tow trucks.
For road signage and driver guidance, CET-Rio plans to use 2.500 cones and traffic cones at traffic blockades, in addition to 900 pennants and banners with information about the traffic scheme. In total, 36 variable message signs will be used to inform drivers about the road closures and provide guidance on detours and alternative routes.
Traffic conditions will be monitored by technicians at the Operations and Resilience Center (COR) for any potential impacts, and if necessary, traffic light timings will be adjusted to improve flow on alternative routes and main traffic corridors in the region.
Recommendations – CET-Rio advises the public to plan their travel in advance, prioritizing the use of public transportation such as trains, light rail, ferries, and the metro due to the large number of road closures and the constant movement of parade floats. There will be no dedicated parking for the events, so it is important that all drivers respect the prohibitions, as well as the other signage installed in the area, and follow the instructions of traffic agents and support staff. All pedestrians must cross at designated locations, such as pedestrian crossings, always observing the instructions of traffic agents.
SAMBÓDROMO – Parades of the Gold Series Schools (February 13th and 14th) and the Special Group (February 15th, 16th and 17th) – Traffic interventions will begin in the early morning hours of Thursday (February 12th) to Friday (February 13th), with the movement of the floats of the groups located in various neighborhoods, such as Caju, São Cristóvão, Santo Cristo, Centro and Estácio. Road closures will begin at midnight, with the closure of the central lane of Avenida Presidente Vargas, towards Praça da Bandeira, starting from Avenida Rio Branco. From 11 am, Avenida Presidente Vargas, central lane, towards Candelária, will be closed for the repositioning of the floats. Sections of Rua Afonso Cavalcanti and Rua Benedito Hipólito will also be closed for the preparation of the Sambadrome.
At 15 PM, the remaining streets in the immediate vicinity of the Sambadrome will be closed to finalize preparations for the Gold Series parades: Júlio do Carmo Street, between access B of the metro station (Praça 11) and the access to Sapucaí, and Salvador de Sá Avenue, between Carmo Neto Street and Frei Caneca Street. At that time, the central lane of Presidente Vargas Avenue, in the direction of Praça da Bandeira, will also be reopened.
At 17 PM, access to Avenida Presidente Vargas will be closed from Avenida Francisco Bicalho and Praça da Bandeira, as well as the side lane towards Candelária, up to Praça da República. At that time, the other streets surrounding the Sambadrome will also be closed, including the remainder of Rua Afonso Cavalcanti and Rua de Santana.
Traffic heading towards the city center will be diverted to Avenida Paulo de Frontin and subsequently to Rua Itapiru (vehicles coming from Avenida Francisco Bicalho) or Rua Haddock Lobo (for vehicles coming from Praça da Bandeira). Access to Avenida Paulo de Frontin, heading towards the city center, will also be closed for traffic coming from the Rebouças Tunnel, with traffic diverted to Rua Santa Alexandrina.
The existing U-turns on Avenida Paulo de Frontin, near Cidade Nova, will also be closed. Drivers heading towards the city center should continue to Rua do Bispo, where they will turn left onto Praça Condessa Paulo de Frontin, towards Rua Estrela. At 19:30 PM, Rua Frei Caneca and Avenida Trinta e Um de Março will be closed.
From midnight on Friday to Saturday (February 14th), the central lane of Avenida Presidente Vargas, towards Praça da Bandeira, will be closed to traffic again, starting from Avenida Passos, to allow for the arrival of the floats. On Saturday, from 8 am, the central lane of Avenida Presidente Vargas, towards Candelária, will be reopened, as well as Rua Frei Caneca and Avenida Trinta e Um de Março, to ensure access to the city center. The roads will only be closed again at 12 pm, 5 pm and 7 pm, respectively, to allow for the parades of the 2nd day of the Série Ouro (Gold Series).
Throughout the afternoon of Saturday (February 14th), there will be movement of floats heading towards Caju, with the closure of several roads in the Port Region and also Avenida Brasil for the passage of the floats. For the following days, all the closures made for the Série Ouro parade will be maintained for the Special Group parades, except for Rua Frei Caneca and Viaduto 31 de Março, which will be reopened to traffic daily at 7:30 am on Sunday (February 15th), Monday (February 16th) and Tuesday (February 17th), and will be closed again at 7 pm each day of the parade.
Children's Samba School Parade – February 20th (Friday) – At 11:00 AM, several roads around the Sambadrome will be closed, including Rua Benedito Hipólito. From 1:00 PM on Friday (February 20th), Avenida Presidente Vargas, the side lane in the direction of Candelária, will be closed between the intersection in front of the Cedae building and the intersection with Rua de Santana. At 3:00 PM, the side lane of Avenida Presidente Vargas, in the direction of Candelária, will be closed from the height of the metro overpass (Cidade Nova station) to the height of the Cedae building.
Starting at midnight on Saturday (February 21st), there will be further road closures on Avenida Presidente Vargas, the central lane towards Candelária, between the metro overpass (Cidade Nova) and Praça da República. In the direction of Praça da Bandeira, the central lane will be closed, between Avenida Passos and the metro overpass (Cidade Nova).
Parade of Champion Schools – February 21st (Saturday) – Starting at 2 AM on Saturday (February 21st), the side lane of Avenida Presidente Vargas, towards Candelária, will be reopened. Around the Sambadrome, road closures will remain in place for the positioning of the floats in preparation for the Parade of Champions. At 3 PM, the main access points to Avenida Presidente Vargas will be blocked via Avenida Francisco Bicalho, the Freyssinet Viaduct (Paulo de Frontin Viaduct), and Praça da Bandeira. Traffic will also be diverted from Avenida Paulo de Frontin to Rua Aristides Lobo, and the area of restricted traffic will be expanded to include Avenida Salvador de Sá, Rua Hélio Beltrão, Rua de Santana, Rua Marquês de Pombal, and other streets in Cidade Nova. At 7 PM, the final stage of road closures will take place, restricting vehicle traffic on Rua Frei Caneca, Viaduto Trinta e Um de Março (towards Laranjeiras), roads in Catumbi, and roads near Praça da República. It is estimated that all closures will remain in place until 8 AM on Sunday (February 22nd), when the main roads will be reopened.
Parking Prohibition – To preserve the flow of traffic for the floats and pedestrians, in addition to the areas where parking is already prohibited, parking around the Sambadrome will be prohibited from 6 am on Friday (February 13th) until 10 am on Wednesday (February 18th), and during the champions' parade, from 6 am on Saturday (March 21st) until 12 pm on Sunday (February 22nd), on the internal roads within the roadblocks and on the main streets and avenues of the region.
CIRCUITO AVENIDA CHILE BIRA PRESIDENTE – For the parades of the themed, dance, and Afro-Brazilian carnival groups, which take place between February 14th and 17th, traffic restrictions will begin at 2:30 PM on February 14th and continue until 6:00 AM on February 18th on Avenida Chile, Avenida Almirante Barroso, Rua Treze de Maio, and Rua México, in the city center.
INTENDENTE MAGALHÃES – For the parades of the themed carnival groups and the Silver and Bronze Series, which take place between February 14th and 17th, and February 20th and 21st, road closures on Estrada Intendente Magalhães and the surrounding area will begin at 4 PM. For the setup of the structures, the operation will begin at 1 PM on February 7th, and a reversible lane will be set up from 5 AM to 11 AM from February 9th to 13th. Parking will be prohibited by signs in the area between February 13th and 22nd.
Road closures: Praça dos Lavradores and the following streets: Domingos Lopes; Dinis Barreto; Couto Menezes; Conde de Linhares; Andrade de Araújo; Araçuaí; Cincinato da Silva; Olímpio de Azevedo; Cirilo da Silveira; Jaime Marquês de Araújo; General Fernando Batalha; and Anália Franco.
Sambadrome will have six medical stations for the parades
The Municipal Health Department (SMS) will have a special emergency medical assistance plan during the samba school parades at the Sambadrome, between February 13th and 17th, on Friday the 20th, when the children's schools will parade, and on Saturday the champions' parade (21st). Six medical posts will be distributed along Avenida Marquês de Sapucaí, in strategic locations, to assist those in need. In addition, professionals from the Municipal Health Surveillance Institute (IVISA-Rio) will be conducting inspections to monitor compliance with health regulations.
Medical posts will be located in sectors 1 (concentration), 2, 7, 10 (Rua Salvador de Sá), 11 and Apoteose (dispersal) and will operate from 19 pm until 4 am the following day for the parades of the Série Ouro, Grupo Especial and on the Saturday of the champions. The service structure will have a total of 33 beds, seven of which are for advanced support, and 11 hydration chairs, distributed among the posts. A total of 140 professionals will be involved in the operation. On the day of the children's school presentations (20), the six posts will operate from 17 pm until the end of the presentations.
For patients with more serious conditions, there will be ambulances with advanced support (mobile ICU) to make transfers, coordinated by the Municipal Regulation Center, to hospitals or UPAs (Emergency Care Units) in the network. There will be 16 ambulances with their own teams (doctor, nurse, driver) on standby each day of the parade of the schools in the Gold Series and the Special Group, and on the Saturday of the champions' parade. For the children's parade, there will be 10 vehicles available.
– Carnival is a very important event for the city's culture and economy, which is why every year the Health Department prepares a service plan, both for revelers who will enjoy the street parades and for the public at the Sambadrome. Our medical posts are prepared and equipped to provide prompt care for emergencies that arise, preventing milder cases from overloading hospitals and emergency care units. Even so, the hospitals in the municipal network will receive reinforcements in their shifts during Carnival to meet an increase in demand that is normal during these times when the number of people circulating in the city increases – says the municipal Secretary of Health, Daniel Soranz.
The Municipal Health Department has years of expertise operating medical posts at events with large crowds, such as Carnival and New Year's Eve. The SMS medical posts have also operated during the technical rehearsals of samba schools on the weekends preceding the parades, and are providing support to street carnival in the main parade routes. In 2025, the SMS structure provided almost 4 services, considering the three areas of operation: services at street parades, technical rehearsals, and samba school parades.
To promote health and prevent sexually transmitted infections, dispensers will be installed in the Sambadrome restrooms to provide male and female condoms.
Health surveillance before, during, and after Carnival – The Health Surveillance Superintendency will operate before, during, and after Carnival in Sapucaí, with actions for monitoring, detection, investigation, prevention, and control of possible public health events that may occur, aiming to protect the health of people who are in the area, as well as the entire population of Rio de Janeiro. In preparation for the parades, environmental surveillance and vector control actions were carried out in and around the Sambadrome, with the application of ultra-low volume insecticide (fogging), inspection of locations, and elimination of potential breeding grounds for disease-transmitting mosquitoes.
The team at the Strategic Information Center for Health Surveillance (CIEVS-Rio) has been monitoring the epidemiological scenario at the local, national, and international levels to track possible changes in the occurrence patterns of diseases and/or outbreaks. CIEVS will also be active during and after the event, monitoring care at medical posts to detect notifiable diseases and conditions, as well as outbreaks and other events of public health relevance, with rapid response, prevention, and control actions, in addition to monitoring the city's epidemiological scenario after Carnival.
Inspections by IVISA-Rio – The Municipal Institute of Sanitary Surveillance, Zoonosis Surveillance and Agricultural Inspection (IVISA-Rio) will be responsible for inspecting compliance with sanitary regulations in the facilities and the provision of food and services at the Sambadrome and its surroundings. IVISA-Rio previously conducted clarification sessions and online training for suppliers and service providers to ensure compliance with relevant legislation; in addition to a technical visit during the assembly of food service facilities, ensuring appropriate conditions for flow, preservation, and the use of easily sanitized materials for food handling.
During the parade nights, it will inspect the hygienic-sanitary and technological aspects of the production and distribution of food and beverages at their points of sale, as well as those provided in the VIP boxes and all other areas of the Sambadrome, and other services of sanitary interest; it will collect potable water at entry points and in strategic locations for analysis of quality parameters; it will inspect the sale and consumption of smoking products derived or not from tobacco in totally or partially enclosed public spaces; identify irregularities and intervene, in a timely manner, through the application of appropriate sanitary measures.
Rio de Janeiro's Light Rail (VLT Carioca) will have special operations and route changes during parades at Tiradentes Square.
The Rio Light Rail (VLT Carioca) will operate a special schedule between Sunday (February 15th) and Carnival Tuesday (February 17th) due to the scheduled street parades in Tiradentes Square. Traditionally, events in the area cause large crowds of revelers and block the tracks, hindering train circulation. The changes aim to ensure the safety of passengers and the general public.
During this period, for safety reasons, trains on lines 2 and 4 will not run through downtown Rio. To ensure service for customers, the route of Line 3, which connects Santos Dumont Airport to Central do Brasil, will be extended to Terminal Gentileza. The average interval between trips will be 20 minutes.
Operation on February 13th (Friday) and 14th (Saturday) – On February 13th and 14th, when the samba school parades of the Série Ouro (Access Group) take place at Marquês de Sapucaí, the VLT Carioca will operate normally. Lines 1 (Terminal Gentileza x Santos Dumont), 3 (Central x Santos Dumont) and 4 (Terminal Gentileza x Praça XV) will run with intervals between 12 and 20 minutes. On line 2 (Praia Formosa x Praça XV) the intervals will be up to 60 minutes.
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