Check out the recap of the first day of parades at the Sambadrome and the schedule for this Saturday in the city.

The first day of parades for the Gold Series Samba Schools in the 2026 Carnival brought excitement to the Marquês de Sapucaí, this Friday (February 13th). Opening the competition for a spot in the Special Group, Unidos do Jacarezinho, Inocentes de Belford Roxo, União do Parque Acari, Unidos de Bangu, Unidos de Padre Miguel, União da Ilha do Governador and Acadêmicos de Vigário Geral paraded, with themes marked by cultural diversity, ancestry, appreciation of music and Brazilian identity.

The first school of the night was Unidos do Jacarezinho, honoring the singer and composer Xande de Pilares, who made an appearance atop a float. Due to setbacks during the carnival preparations, the group had difficulties returning to the parade route. Immediately afterwards, Inocentes de Belford Roxo blended Pernambuco folklore with Russian influences, cordel literature, and samba. The youngest school from the Baixada Fluminense region, as it is affectionately known, paraded down the avenue without problems and showed great determination in its members.

The third school to parade down the avenue was União do Parque Acari, which presented the theme “Brasiliana,” in homage to the eponymous theater group created by the Brazilian actor Haroldo Costa, who died in 2025. Immediately afterwards, moving everyone, Unidos de Bangu celebrated the career of singer and songwriter Leci Brandão, who paraded on the school's third float, called “Quilombo da Diversidade” (Quilombo of Diversity).

One of the highlights of the night was Unidos de Padre Miguel. The group, relegated from the Special Group in 2025, put on a beautiful parade that proved it was worthy of its ascension to the elite of Carnival. In a procession that mixed technology with indigenous traditions, the school brought the story of Clara Camarão, a symbol of the Potiguar resistance to the Dutch invasion in the 17th century. Amidst many colors, lights, and a strong synergy between participants and the public, the school crossed the catwalk on time.

The sixth school to perform was the traditional União da Ilha, bringing philosophical reflections with the theme "Live for Today! Tomorrow? That Can Come Later." The school from Ilha do Governador celebrated existence with the hypothesis of an end of the world, using Halley's Comet as a metaphor.

To close the first night at Sapucaí, Acadêmicos de Vigário Geral lived up to the responsibility and presented a vibrant parade. With a strong drum section, the school brought the theme "Unknown Brazil – What Your Eyes Don't See, My Imagination Reinvents!". The proposal was to trace a reinterpretation of Brazilian identity, giving new meaning to characters from colonial history who have been vilified over the decades.

The evening was marked by themes that celebrated artistic journeys, spirituality, Afro-Brazilian heritage, unspoken narratives of the country's history, and celebrations of popular joy.

At Terreirão do Samba, the program began with Fabinho, who brought samba and pagode hits, followed by the Velha Guarda Musical de Vila Isabel, who moved the audience with classics that exalt the tradition of the genre. In a nostalgic atmosphere and with collective singing, the group Bokaloka got thousands of people singing their hits from the 1990s, while Suel closed the night with high energy, with a repertoire full of romantic and danceable songs, transforming Terreirão into a large open-air dance party.

During the street carnival, the traditional Bloco das Carmelitas parade took place, drawing thousands of revelers to the hills of Santa Teresa. Known for its route that crosses the historic neighborhood, the group brought together residents, tourists, and creative costumes to the sound of classic carnival marches and popular sambas.

Throughout the entire Carnival period, 430 street parades are planned, expected to mobilize more than 6 million revelers. The street Carnival will have an extensive and decentralized schedule. The program includes traditional street parades, mega-parades, and smaller processions, reflecting the city's cultural diversity and strengthening the democratic character of the festival. To this end, the Rio de Janeiro City Hall has mobilized an integrated operation of public services to ensure the smooth running of the event, with actions in urban planning, transportation, health, cleaning, and social assistance.

This Saturday (February 14th), the parades of the Group 1 Carnival Groups will take place on Estrada Intendente Magalhães. The complete schedule can be found on the Blocos do Rio 2026 app and on the official website. https://www.carnaval.rio.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Photos from the Série Ouro parades, the shows at Terreirão, and the street carnival are available on Riotur's Flickr page. (https://www.flickr.com/photos/riotur/albums/)

The monitoring system uses 500 cameras and drones to keep an eye on the city. 

The Rio de Janeiro City Hall's Operations and Resilience Center (COR-Rio) monitored the first night of Carnival in Rio using 500 cameras installed around the Marquês de Sapucaí, this Friday (February 13th), and at the 61 stages spread throughout the city. COR-Rio tracked the start of road closures, detours and alternative routes, as well as the flow of people returning home after the parades ended.

The city has been at Heat Protocol Level 3 (HEAT 3) since 11:40 am this Friday (February 13th) due to the recording of high Heat Indices (HI) – from 36ºC to 40ºC – with a forecast of remaining or increasing for at least three consecutive days.

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 alone, 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 be monitoring, 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 in 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.

Furthermore, three drones are being used exclusively within the perimeter of the Marquês de Sapucaí. The equipment generates images for COR-Rio, and in case of any emergency during the parades, the operational teams are immediately activated. In addition, an advanced unit of COR-Rio will be positioned at the entrance to the Sambadrome, with operators monitoring access and the actions of the 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.

Seop and GM-Rio inspect 300 stallholders and street vendors. 

The Municipal Secretariat of Public Order (SEOP) and the Municipal Guard operated throughout Friday (February 13th) in approximately 20 street blocks and at the Sambadrome. The actions took place in the internal and external areas of the main stage of Rio's Carnival. Throughout the city, 300 stallholders and street vendors were inspected in actions by the Urban Control Coordination (CCU), and agents seized more than 350 glass bottles, an item prohibited from being sold during Rio's Carnival.

Throughout the day, teams reinforced inspections of street vendors to ensure the safety of revelers and prevent dangerous items from circulating along the parade routes and in the vicinity of the Sambadrome. In the area surrounding the Sambadrome alone, more than 950 agents participated in the operations.

Throughout Friday, teams from the Integrated Territorial Actions Coordination (CATI) worked on the streets of Rio, including in the vicinity of the street parades and the Marquês de Sapucaí. 249 homeless people were approached, but none accepted the shelter offered by the Rio City Hall. The teams conducted 20 criminal background checks, with no arrests made. In total, 20.792 items of illegally discarded materials were collected, in addition to the seizure of 22 knives, 7 sharp objects, 16 items related to drug use, and 1 replica firearm.

The Municipal Guard and SEOP issued 427 traffic tickets this Friday. In the Marquês de Sapucaí area alone, the guards operated at 81 roadblocks. Throughout the city, 62 vehicles were towed to public impound lots. The agents were supported by 60 operational vehicles and eight tow trucks in the vicinity of the Sambadrome.

The SEOP and GM-Rio teams are working 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 are working around the health posts that have been set up on site and also at the entrances to the grandstands.

Teams from the Maria da Penha Patrol (RMP) are also present at strategic points in Sapucaí, 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 is fundamental for the deployment of teams. Therefore, images from the cameras of the Operations and Resilience Center (COR-Rio) and the use of drones are essential to assist law enforcement agents.

In the external area, the focus of the operation is 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 are 81 road blockade points covered by the Rio Municipal Guard. The municipal guards will also act in the suppression of crimes, promoting preventive patrolling actions.

Teams from the Special Coordination for Complementary Transportation (CETC) and the Parking and Towing Enforcement Management (GFER) are working in the surrounding area to crack down on unlicensed vans and illegal parking. The Rio Municipal Guard (GM-Rio) is also monitoring 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 are 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. Additionally, municipal guards will be distributing identification bracelets to children during the Samba School parade.

Comlurb collects 27,1 tons of waste.

Comlurb collected 27,1 tons of waste from the Sambadrome this Friday (February 13th), after the first night of the Gold Series Samba School parade, with 22,8 tons collected inside and 4,3 tons outside and around the Samba Runway. The street parties that took place on Friday generated 14,5 tons of waste, with the Bloco das Carmelitas standing out with 2,9 tons. Since the beginning of the pre-Carnival festivities, the street parties have already generated 263,7 tons of waste. Comlurb's Carnival 2026 Operation has already accounted for 290,8 tons of waste, including all points of the celebration.

Comlurb has prepared a special mega-cleaning operation for Carnival 2026, with sanitation workers at all party locations: the internal and external areas of the Sambadrome, Intendente Magalhães, Avenida Chile – Bira Presidente, street parades, and popular dances in the city center and neighborhoods. The operation began with the pre-Carnival festivities, three weekends ago, and will continue until February 22nd, after the Monobloco parade.

In all carnival locations, Comlurb will carry out cleaning before, during, and after the events, with mechanized sweeping and removal and collection of generated waste. The company is providing 240-liter containers and high-capacity containers in all locations with large crowds to facilitate waste disposal by revelers, in the largest containerization effort ever undertaken at events in the city. All vehicles and equipment (compactor trucks, dump trucks and mini-dump trucks, large sweepers, mini-sweepers, blowers, backpack sprayers, among others) will operate in three shifts during the carnival.

The grand spectacle of the samba schools at the Sambadrome will have 873 sanitation workers on each day of the parades. The entire area surrounding the Sambadrome will also receive special cleaning. The nighttime operation will have 364 sanitation workers, while the daytime operation will involve 141. For the parades of the Silver and Bronze Series samba schools on the stage set up on Estrada Intendente Magalhães in Campinho, Comlurb will deploy 123 sanitation workers for the nighttime operation and 42 for the daytime operation daily. The company will have a cleaning team at all the popular dances in Cinelândia during the four official days of Carnival. The daily workforce will consist of 40 sanitation workers. On Avenida Chile – Bira Presidente, during the parades of the themed carnival groups, the company will have 80 sanitation workers per day. 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.

Comlurb continues cleaning all the areas around the city. The service began three weeks ago, with the start of the pre-Carnival festivities, and will continue until the 22nd. The work is carried out on the main streets where the parades take place and throughout the surrounding areas, including access roads and adjacent streets, with mechanized sweeping, washing, emptying of trash cans and containers, and collection and removal of waste. After the parades, Comlurb teams will perform hydraulic cleaning with reused water. There are 30 water tanker trucks, 26 vans with hydraulic cleaning equipment, and 5 trucks with hydraulic cleaning equipment. After washing, eucalyptus essence will be applied with 125 backpack sprayers, including in areas with portable toilets. There will be 5 liters of concentrated essence and 40 liters of soap available throughout the Carnival period.

Comlurb will also be responsible for cleaning the four medical posts set up in the parade area for the carnival groups, two in the Preta Gil Circuit in the city center, one in Praça do Lido and one in Praça Nossa Senhora da Paz in Ipanema, in addition to the medical posts at the Sambadrome.

It is worth noting that all routine services of the Company will be maintained normally in the city throughout the Carnival period.

Stalls at the Samba Parade serve 320 people.

On the first night of the Série Ouro samba school parades, on Friday (February 13th), the six medical posts of the Rio Municipal Health Department (SMS) at the Sambadrome provided 320 services. For more complex care, 26 people were transferred to hospitals in the network.

The special public medical care plan from the Municipal Health Department (SMS) has a total of 33 beds, including seven advanced support beds, and 11 hydration chairs, distributed among the posts. In total, 140 professionals are involved in the operation. The units will operate until February 17th, between the Gold Series and Special Group parades, and on the 20th and 21st, for the parades of the children's samba schools and the champions. They are located in sectors 1 (concentration), 2, 7, 10 (Salvador de Sá Street), 11 and Apoteose (dispersal).

The Municipal Health Department (SMS) has expertise in operating medical posts at events with large crowds, such as Carnival and New Year's Eve. The municipal network's structure at the Sambadrome has already been in operation during the samba school technical rehearsals on the weekends preceding the parades, and is providing support to street carnival in the main block parade routes. In 2025, there were almost 4 consultations, considering the three areas of operation: street blocks, technical rehearsals, and samba school parades.

Health Surveillance Actions

The Municipal Institute of Sanitary Surveillance (IVISA-Rio) inspected VIP boxes and health services on the first night of parades at the Marquês de Sapucaí. In total, 43 sanitary inspection reports were issued. The team also collected 27 food samples, in addition to carrying out a joint action with the Urban Control Coordination in the stalls surrounding the Sambadrome to provide guidance.

The agency will be present throughout the Carnival period at the Sambadrome, inspecting food, beauty, and health services. New this year is the use of the new inspection system, SISFOCO (Inspection Guided by Objective Criteria). This will be the first major event to use the digital system, which should generate greater savings, efficiency, and transparency. In total, approximately 40 professionals will be involved in the operation each day. With the use of SISFOCO, IVISA-Rio will avoid using approximately 890 sheets of paper throughout the event.

Health Surveillance

The Health Surveillance Superintendency also carries out monitoring, detection, investigation, prevention, and control actions for possible public health events throughout Carnival. Teams from the Strategic Information Center for Health Surveillance (CIEVS-Rio) will be working during and after the event at the Sambadrome, monitoring care at medical posts in order to detect diseases, notifiable illnesses, and other events of public health relevance, as well as monitoring the city's epidemiological situation for 45 days after Carnival.

Social Services distributes hundreds of identification bracelets.

The Municipal Department of Social Assistance (SMAS) distributed 202 identification bracelets to ensure the protection of children and adolescents on the first night of the 2026 Carnival parades. This measure contributes to quick reunions if someone gets lost, and guarantees greater safety and peace of mind for families, since the bracelet includes the name and phone number of the parents or guardians.

In Sapucaí, where the opening of the Série Ouro parades took place, 150 wristbands were distributed. SMAS teams handed out another 152 in Intendente Magalhães, where, despite the parades only starting this Saturday (February 14th), there was already a large movement of revelers. This action will be repeated at all Sapucaí parades throughout Carnival and also in Intendente.

Also starting this Saturday night, a Day Care Space will be offered to the children of street vendors aged 4 to 12 who work around the Sambadrome. From 6 PM to 18 AM, the children will be protected and sheltered in a safe and welcoming environment, with food, games, cultural activities, and a place to rest. The service will operate at the Rachel de Queiroz Early Childhood Education Center, on Avenida Presidente Vargas, near the Sambadrome.

The distribution of wristbands and the Community Space are actions of the SMAS campaign for Carnival 2026, which has the following motto: "Protecting is our theme".

Special traffic plan for samba school and street parade groups.

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.

Remember the traffic restrictions for Carnival 2026.

SAMBODROME – Parades of the Gold Series Schools (February 14th) and the Special Group (February 15th, 16th and 17th) – Starting at midnight this Saturday (February 14th), the central lane of Avenida Presidente Vargas, towards Praça da Bandeira, will be closed to traffic again, from Avenida Passos onwards, to allow for the arrival of the floats for the second day of parades. 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 Gold Series.

Throughout Saturday afternoon, 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 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 15), Monday (February 16) and Tuesday (February 17), and will be closed again at 7 pm each day of the parade.

Children's School Parade – February 20th (Friday) – At 11:00 AM, several roads around the Sambadrome will be closed, including Rua Benedito Hipólito. Starting at 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 Champions' Parade. 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 ban

To preserve the flow of traffic for the floats and pedestrians, in addition to 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.

CIRCUIT AVENIDA CHILE BIRA PRESIDENTE – For the parades of the themed, samba, 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.

INTENDENT MAGALHÃES – For the parades of the themed blocks 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.

Prohibitions: Praça dos Lavradores and the 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.

Public transport is operating on a special schedule.

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.

Rio de Janeiro's Light Rail (VLT Carioca) will have 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.

Carnival + Insurance Campaign for Women

On the first night of the Série Ouro parades, the Municipal Secretariat for Women's Policies and Care of Rio de Janeiro (SPM-Rio) recorded three incidents of assistance at the Marquês de Sapucaí and no incidents at the Fan Fest in Copacabana. This action is part of a broader operation set up for Carnival 2026, focusing on the prevention and combating of violence against women in the city's main parade circuits.

The technical teams, comprised of social workers, psychologists, and lawyers, are positioned at strategic points to offer immediate support, guidance, and referrals to the municipal protection network when necessary. Their presence on Intendente Magalhães Avenue will begin this Sunday.

In addition to fixed posts at official events, mobilizers circulate through street parades and the Carnival in the Parks, carrying out educational activities, distributing materials from the "Carnival + Safe for Women" campaign, and identifying at-risk situations. The platform www.mulher.rio remains the central channel for guidance, gathering information on psychological support, legal assistance, and access to 1746 and 190 in case of emergencies.

With this integrated operation, SPM-Rio reinforces that the public policy of protecting women needs to be present at major events, on the streets, and in spaces with high traffic. The action during Carnival is part of a permanent strategy of prevention, care, and guarantee of rights throughout the year.

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 have been 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 be circulating through the street parades and the Carnival in the Parks until February 22nd, carrying out informational actions, identifying risk situations, and distributing materials from the "Carnival + Safe for Women" campaign.

The campaign also includes 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 is taking the campaign to street parties, 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 department 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 viewers to www.mulher.rio, reaching thousands of people circulating daily throughout the city.

Furthermore, in partnership with the Municipal Department of Conservation, physical signs were 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.

The asphalt at the Sambadrome is being renewed.

For the implementation of the new sound system at the Sambadrome, the Department of Conservation carried out the installation of ten transverse ducts along the entire length of the Sapucaí over five months. These structures house the sound cables, as well as electrical conduits and stage lighting, eliminating exposed wires on the track. Once this stage was completed, the entire avenue received new asphalt; more than 1,4 tons of asphalt mix were used, equivalent to 47 truckloads. The investment by the Rio de Janeiro City Hall in this work was R$ 927.

Operation Open Drain

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.

Aromatic essences

Following the success of last year's initiative, the Department of Conservation has resumed applying aromatic essences to the drains at the Sambadrome starting with the first parade. The applications are being carried out after each samba school passes, providing greater comfort to the samba dancers and the public. This year, the essences feature new aromas. In 2025, 138 applications were made to the 46 drains in the Sambadrome.

Teams monitor consumer demands.

On the first day of the Série Ouro samba school parades, this Friday (February 13th), the Municipal Secretariat for Consumer Protection and Defense, through Procon Carioca, monitored consumer demands, paying attention to the services provided to the public. There were no reports of complaints or grievances related to services provided to the public on this first day of parades.

PROGRAMME

SATURDAY (14/02)

Parades at the Marquis of Sapucaí

With a total of 16 schools, the Gold Series of the League of Samba Schools (Liga RJ) officially opened the parades at the Sambadrome on Avenida Marquês de Sapucaí, this Friday (February 13th), with the presentation of eight schools. Today, Saturday (February 14th), another eight will perform. The Gold Series, the main access group to the main parade, brings together traditional schools.

GOLD SERIES SATURDAY, 14/02

Botafogo Samba Club

In time

Start of the Inner Mill

Serrano Empire

Estacio de Sa

Maricá Union

Porto da Pedra

States of the Bridge

Samba Terreirão

The Terreirão do Samba Nelson Sargento enters its second weekend of the 2026 season, with five consecutive days of carnival shows. With tickets starting at R$15, the expectation is that around 50 people will participate in the festivities promoted by Sesc RJ in Praça Onze. Tickets for the entire Terreirão season are already on sale at the digital box office (https://www.bilheteriadigital.com/terreirao2026), starting at R$15.

Saturday | 14/02

FM O DIA

JUNINHO THYBAU

SAMBA CIRCLE AT RATO ALLEY

DAVID QUARESMA

SLEEPY

PEDRO MENEZES

FM O DIA

Service 

Address: Rua Benedito Hipólito, 66, Praça Onze – Centro

Tickets: Available at the Terreirão box office and online at: https://www.bilheteriadigital.com/terreirao2026

Prices: half-price ticket R$15, full price R$30.

Rating: 18+ (minors only accompanied by a guardian)

Cinelandia Dances

Far beyond the street parties and the spectacular parades of the Sapucaí, there's another option for revelry that has become a tradition in the city: the Cinelândia dances. On the stage set up in front of the City Hall steps, various artists and an orchestra create a party atmosphere with a selection of carnival themes and classic marches during the four days of programming! There will also be the Original Reveler Contest from Sunday to Tuesday.

Service:

Location: Cinelândia Square
Dates: February 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th (Saturday to Carnival Tuesday)
Time: From 16:30 pm
Location: Cinelândia
Free entrance
Time: From 16:30 pm

SATURDAY – 14/02/2026

DORINE
OSMAR DO BREQUE
ELLEN DE LIMA
PAULO NUNES
TOM FROM BAHIA
MARCIO GOMES
SELMA COSTA
ALFREDO DEL PENHO
LUIS CESAR
REGINALDO BESSA
GOTSHA
ALBERTO GINO
WLADIMIR CABANAS
TUPY ORCHESTRA

Blocks of rocking and plot of Avenida Chile and Intendente Magalhães

Known as the "Popular Samba Parade," the Intendente Magalhães Carnival is where the samba schools from the Silver, Bronze, and Evaluation Groups parade, in addition to Group 1 of the Block Federations. In 2026, the avenue will once again host various samba schools from different regions of the state, promising great competitions in days full of emotion, stories, characters, and a sense of community.

Saturday – February 14th – Federation of Carnival Groups – Group 1

Birita Mas Não Cai — 20 PM

Gramacho Empire — 20:50 PM

Will it be blocked? Never! — 21:40 PM

Bishop's Comets — 22:30 PM

Unidos do Alto da Boa Vista — 23:20 PM

Union of the Bridge — 00:10

New Horizon — 01 AM

Rebirth of Vaz Lobo — 01:50 AM

Unidos do Bandeirantes — 02:40 AM

From Barriga — 03:30 AM

street blocks

Rio's street carnival will bring traditional carnival groups and lively programming to the streets, squares, and beaches from the city center to the South Zone, passing through the North Zone, West Zone, and the port area. Cordão da Bola Preta, Céu na Terra, Bloco do Barbas, Cordão do Boitatá, Simpatia É Quase Amor, Banda de Ipanema, Bangalafumenga, Agytoê, Afoxé Filhos de Gandhi, Bloco 442, Charanga Talismã, Laranjada, Areia, Sargento Pimenta, and Fervo da Lud are some of the events in this year's program.

The full schedule can be found on the Blocos do Rio 2026 app and on the official website www.carnavalderua.rio, ensuring that all revelers know where and when the festivities will take place.

Important Recommendations

Preferably use public transportation (train, subway, light rail and ferries);

If you are boarding at Santos Dumont Airport and Rio Bus Station, try to arrive early;

Avoid driving in areas where there will be street parties and floats;

Look for alternative routes. There are a large number of road closures throughout the city, with the movement of floats, blocks and processions;

Respect no-parking zones and pay attention to restricted hours.

To ensure the safety of party-goers, we inform you that crossing must be done exclusively in the pedestrian crossing and always with extra care;

It is very important that the instructions of traffic agents and all signage installed in the area are respected;

Residents who own a car and have a parking space and need to access the restricted area of ​​the Sambadrome should do so via Largo do Estácio, always carrying proof of residence.

Category:

• News
• Riotur

February 14, 2026

Appointments: Carnival 2026 City of Rio de Janeiro Marquis of Sapucai