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Carnival 2026 is expected to generate R$ 5,9 billion for the Rio de Janeiro economy.
Published on 12/02/2026 - 16:35 | Updated on 14/02/2026 - 12:12
Beija-Flor parade, during the second day of the Special Group Samba Schools parade - Photo: Fábio Motta/City of Rio Carnival 2026 is expected to generate around R$ 5,9 billion for the economy of Rio de Janeiro, according to estimates from the City Hall. The projection considers a total audience of approximately 8 million revelers, distributed among the samba school parades at the Sambadrome and Intendente Magalhães, street parties, popular dances, and traditional events such as those held in Cinelândia and Avenida Chile.
The period analyzed runs from the pre-Carnival, which began on January 17th, until the official closing of the festivities on February 22nd, the Sunday after the Champions' Parade. The data is part of the fifth edition of the publication "Carnival of Data," produced by the Municipal Secretariat of Economic Development (SMDE), the Civil House, through the João Goulart Foundation Institute (FJG), and Riotur. The study considers the expenses of residents and visitors on lodging, transportation, food, events, and other services directly or indirectly related to Carnival.
"Rio's Carnival proves every year why it's the greatest show on Earth. Our samba schools and street parades bring millions of people to the streets to celebrate, transforming the city into a huge open-air party. It's an energy that captivates residents and visitors alike, showcasing the strength of our culture and projecting Rio and Brazil to the entire world. And, above all, it's a festival that puts money into circulation, boosting commerce, tourism, and services. The entire city's economy benefits," said Mayor Eduardo Paes.
– Rio's Carnival is the biggest cultural celebration in the world. The festival attracts millions of Brazilian and foreign tourists, fills hotels, boosts commerce, and strengthens various sectors of the economy. It generates thousands of jobs and opportunities for workers and entrepreneurs in our city – highlighted Deputy Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere.
Another highlight of the survey is the return in municipal revenue during the Carnival festivities: in economic terms, the municipal ISS (Service Tax) revenue from services directly or indirectly related to Carnival is around R$ 240 million. The tourism and events sectors alone account for more than R$ 47 million of this revenue during the month of the festival.
– Carnival transforms Rio into a showcase for the world and generates billions in the local economy. It's culture, but also economic development: the festival creates jobs, boosts tourism, strengthens services, and guarantees a direct return for the city, showing that investing in Carnival is investing in Rio – said the president of Riotur, Bernardo Fellows.
The City Hall invests approximately R$ 100 million annually in Carnival, including cultural incentives for samba schools — Special Group, Gold Series, Children's Schools, and parades on Intendente Magalhães Avenue — as well as the operation of the event and the maintenance of the Sambadrome. Between 2022 and 2026, cultural incentives for the Special Group totaled R$ 137,3 million, in values deflated by the IPCA (Brazilian Consumer Price Index) of December 2025.
A Carnival operation It involves extensive mobilization by the City Hall, with the participation of 23 municipal agencies and approximately 32 public servants. The largest part of this contingent is made up of professionals from Comlurb (the city's sanitation company), with 13,1 workers, and the Municipal Guard, with 12,5 agents.
– This study makes it clear that investing in Carnival is investing in the development of Rio. It generates almost R$ 6 billion, with a direct impact on job creation, strengthening tourism, and enhancing the city's international image. It's a public policy that mobilizes the entire city – stated the Secretary of Economic Development, Osmar Lima.
Street carnival maintains its leading role.
The publication also includes a detailed analysis of the street carnival. In 2026, more than 450 "blocos" (street carnival groups) are expected, totaling approximately 1.786 hours of performances and an estimated audience of almost 7 million revelers. Of the total parades, 40,2% occur before Carnival, 51,5% during the official week, and 8,3% after Carnival.
The mega-blocks — 11 in total — concentrate about 53% of the estimated audience, with an average of 180 people per parade and operating exclusively in the city center. The traditional blocks, more numerous (419), gather approximately 46% of the revelers, with an estimated average of 4 people. About 37% of the registered blocks have an audience of fewer than 500 people.
The president of the João Goulart Foundation Institute, Rafaela Bastos, assures:
– The latest edition of the Carnival of Data reinforces how Carnival expands the capacity of governments, broadening access to the city's cultural repertoire, especially as a vector for human, urban, and economic development, which is not limited to the month of February, with the impact of associated activities throughout the year. The study shows how data and evidence qualify decisions and strengthen management, by recognizing Carnival as a cultural manifestation, a strategic event, and an active agent of social transformation.
The majority of the total audience, around 81%, participates in street parades, a common characteristic of mega-parades.
Saturday, February 7th, has the highest number of registered street parties (59). During the official week, 57 parties are expected on Saturday, 55 on Sunday, and 55 on Tuesday. Saturday and Tuesday of Carnival attract the largest crowds, with an expected attendance of nearly 1 million revelers per day.
Regarding the schedule, 17,2% of the street parties take place in the morning, 44,3% in the afternoon, and 38,4% at night. The largest number of gatherings occurs at 17 PM, followed by 18 PM and 15 PM. Even so, the morning sees the highest concentration of people, especially in the city center, driven by the mega-street parties, which traditionally begin between 8 AM and 9 AM.
The dynamics vary according to the region: in the city center, the peak occurs in the morning; in the South Zone, the parades start early and register a new increase in audience in the late afternoon; in Barra da Tijuca, later-starting blocks predominate, generally at lunchtime; while in Tijuca, there is a greater concentration at the end of the day.
The study also points to the renewal of the street carnival. In 2026, there are 33 debuting "blocos" (street carnival groups), distributed across 21 neighborhoods, with an estimated audience of around 70 revelers. Of these, 15 debut in the pre-Carnival period, 15 during Carnival, and three in the post-Carnival period.
The tradition remains strong. The largest and oldest bloco (carnival group) in the city is Cordão da Bola Preta, founded in 1919. Other historical blocos include Banda de Ipanema (1965), Banda da Glória (1979), Bloco do Cachorro Cansado (1981) and Carmelitas (1990).
The total number of parades remains stable compared to the previous year: there are 458 groups in 2026, compared to 457 in 2025. About 80% of the groups that paraded last year are returning to the streets. Overall, the growth of pre-Carnival events and the increase in average attendance indicate an even busier celebration this year.
The full publication is available on the websites. economic observatory.rio, repertoire.rio e riotur.rio.
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