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Carnival 2026: City Hall releases report on the first day of parades for the Special Group.
Published on 16/02/2026 - 12:30 | Updated on 17/02/2026 - 12:39
The Sambadrome was the stage for the first day of parades by the Special Group samba schools - Fernando Maia/Rio City Hall Marquês de Sapucaí hosted, this Sunday (February 15th), the first night of parades of the Special Group of Carnival 2026, with four schools that presented storylines of great narrative and visual impact.
Acadêmicos de Niterói opened the first day of performances at the Sapucaí with a tribute to President Lula's career, in an exciting and surprising parade. The group drew attention with ambitious floats and well-choreographed sections, which made the passage down the avenue go smoothly – even when the Brazilian president came down to the track to salute the school's flag.
The second group of the night, Imperatriz Leopoldinense, led by carnival designer Leandro Vieira, celebrated the work of Ney Matogrosso, one of the great names in Brazilian music. In a remarkable parade, the school enchanted with meticulously detailed costumes, floats and props, vibrant colors and plenty of light, as well as the presence of the honoree on the last float of the procession.
Portela, on the other hand, presented the story of Prince Bará, celebrating the black culture of southern Brazil. With the strong appeal of its opening act and floats, the school energized the Sambadrome, but faced problems in the final stretch with the delay of its last float.
Closing the first night of parades for the Special Group, the colorful Mangueira samba school firmly rooted itself in the Amazon to honor the healer and guardian of Afro-Indigenous traditions, Mestre Sacaca. Focused on the relationship with nature, the parade moved the audience by featuring family members of the master right at the beginning.
Schools kick off the Silver Series parades on Intendente Magalhães Avenue.
On Intendente Magalhães Road, in the North Zone, Sunday continued with the parades of the Silver Series. Throughout the night, 14 of the 25 schools paraded down the avenue, including Lins Imperial, Chatuba de Mesquita, Cubango, Tradição, Vizinha Faladeira and Unidos de Lucas, bringing varied themes, exciting drum sections and strong audience participation in the stands.
Throughout the night, Intendente Magalhães maintained the familiar and democratic atmosphere that characterizes the "Popular Samba Parade." The program continues this Monday with the second night of parades in the Silver Series, with free admission.
Ferrugem and Vitinho liven up the night at Terreirão do Samba.
At Terreirão do Samba, the program featured the contagious energy of two strong names in samba and pagode. Singer Vitinho, one of the leading artists of the new generation of Brazilian pagode, took to the stage bringing his smooth voice and emotive interpretations that have won over audiences since his time in the group Disfarce.
A nationally acclaimed samba musician from Rio de Janeiro, Ferrugem brought his striking presence and a repertoire full of emotion and connection with the audience to the stage, reaffirming his place as one of the most popular artists of the genre in contemporary Brazil.
Boitatá Ball brings together 50 revelers and celebrates three decades of history.
This Sunday, the street Carnival took over different parts of the city with parades that combined tradition, engagement, and musical diversity. In Praça XV, the Cordão do Boitatá dance transformed the city center into a large open-air hall, bringing together 50 revelers to the sound of historic marches, classic sambas, and original compositions conducted by its orchestra, in an atmosphere that mixed nostalgia and contemporaneity and brought generations closer together.
In Ipanema, Simpatia É Quase Amor celebrated 40 years of history with a procession marked by political positioning and tributes, exalting indigenous peoples with the phrase "Iwakuru koendâ arâ aron" — "Simpatia é quase amor" (Sympathy is almost love), in Bakairi — and remembering the journalist and composer Marceu Vieira in a moment of collective emotion. In Glória, Bangalafumenga returned to Carnival after an absence in 2025 and drew crowds with its eclectic drumming and engaged repertoire, reaffirming its identity by uniting music, celebration, and social debate.
Also parading this Sunday were the Agytoê, Afoxé Filhos de Gandhi, Bloco 442, Charanga Talismã, Laranjada and Bloco Areia groups, expanding the mosaic of styles and territories of Rio's carnival, from the Center to the North Zone and the South Zone, and reinforcing the plural and democratic character of Rio de Janeiro's street carnival.
On the Bira Presidente circuit, Sunday was full of excitement with the parades of Cacique de Ramos, Engata no Centro, Vai Quem Quer in Catumbi, and Boêmios de Irajá, which brought together revelers in different parts of the city. At Praça da Cinelândia, the public also enjoyed the Original Reveler Contest and the traditional Cinelândia Ball, which completed the program with music, costumes, and a festive atmosphere.
The full schedule can be found on the Rio 2026 Blocks app and on... official website, ensuring that all party-goers know where and when the festivities will take place.
PHOTOGRAPHS
Em www.carnaval.rio You can find news about everything related to the world of Carnival and samba. Photos of the Gold Series parades, the Special Group parades, shows at Terreirão, and street Carnival are available on [website/platform name]. Riotur Flickr.
OPERATIONS AND RESILIENCE CENTER
The Rio de Janeiro City Hall's Operations and Resilience Center (COR-Rio) monitored the third day of Carnival using more than 5 cameras spread throughout the city and four drones exclusively dedicated to covering the festivities in Rio.
On Sunday (February 15th), attention turned to the first day of parades of the Special Group samba schools at Marquês de Sapucaí. From inside the Sambadrome, teams located at the COR-Rio advanced base monitored the entire region through images generated by more than 400 cameras and three drones, with the aim of assisting in rapid response actions.
COR-Rio monitored the start of the road closures, the movement of floats, the arrival and dispersal of the public, the flow of people returning home, as well as the movement throughout the city. Also on Sunday, 51 official carnival groups paraded through the streets of Rio and were monitored by COR-Rio. Highlights included the traditional Cordão do Boitatá, with its loyal audience in Praça XV; Bangalafumenga, which filled the lanes of Aterro do Flamengo; and Simpatia é Quase Amor, which brought thousands of revelers to the streets of Ipanema.
Presence on Intendente Magalhães Avenue, Chile Avenue, and 61 stages throughout the city.
Just like the Sapucaí and the street carnival parades, the City Hall teams mobilized at COR-Rio monitored all the activity on the second day of performances at Intendente Magalhães, in the North Zone; at the Bira Presidente Circuit, on Avenida Chile, in the Center; and at 61 stages spread across different neighborhoods of the city.
During Carnival, images from cameras and drones are displayed on the video wall in the COR Situation Room, in a special layout developed to facilitate the work of the operators mobilized at the Operations Center. The COR has more than 5.500 of its own cameras positioned at different points in the city. All this technology enhances the analytical capacity of the operators in the Situation Room.
Tourists and locals should download the COR.Rio app to stay updated on the city's main events, traffic disruptions, weather forecasts, and transportation status. The COR-Rio app is free, available for Android and iOS in app stores, and has versions in Portuguese, Spanish, English, French, and Chinese.
Furthermore, road closures caused by the parades are also available on the Waze app, a partner of COR-Rio, thus preventing users from getting stuck in traffic jams.
Rio in Heat 3: Follow the guidelines from the COR (Rio Operations Center) and the Municipal Health Department.
The City Hall's Operations and Resilience Center reports that the city of Rio de Janeiro remains at level 3 of the Heat Protocol (CALOR 3) since 11:40 am on Friday (February 13th) due to the recording of high Heat Indices (IC) – from 36ºC to 40ºC – with a forecast of remaining or increasing for at least three consecutive days.
COR-Rio advises the public to follow the guidelines of the Municipal Health Department:
Increase your intake of water or natural fruit juices without added sugar, even if you are not thirsty.
– Eat light foods such as fruits and salads.
– Wear light and cool clothing.
Avoid alcoholic beverages and drinks with a high sugar content.
Avoid direct sun exposure, especially between 10 am and 16 pm.
– Stay informed about heat levels in Rio de Janeiro through social media and the websites of COR-Rio and the Municipal Health Department.
Sun exposure without adequate protection against ultraviolet rays leaves the skin red, sensitive, and blistered. Use sunscreen.
Protect children with wide-brimmed hats.
– In case of discomfort, dizziness or other symptoms caused by heat stress, seek out a municipal health unit.
The change in the Heat Protocol level did not alter the city's operational stage. Rio remains in Stage 1.
PUBLIC ORDER AND MUNICIPAL GUARD
The Municipal Secretariat of Public Order (Seop) and the Municipal Guard (GM-Rio) operated throughout Sunday at 54 street carnival blocks, on the first day of parades of the Special Group at Marquês de Sapucaí and on the second day of parades at Intendente Magalhães, with the Silver Series. Among the street carnival blocks, the highlight was Bangalafumenga, in Glória. In total, agents seized more than 350 glass bottles in various parts of the city, inspecting more than 400 street vendors. The actions also resulted in the seizure of items such as gas cylinders, electronic cigarettes, and a tricycle.
The teams worked at the gathering points, monitored the routes and also the dispersal of the groups, carrying out urban order enforcement actions and monitoring illegal street vendors, paying special attention to the seizure of glass bottles, which are prohibited and can cause accidents.
The municipal guards also focused on monitoring and enforcing traffic regulations, operating roadblocks, guiding pedestrian crossings, and curbing illegal parking and obstruction of public areas, among other irregularities. The operation's main objective was to minimize potential traffic impacts and expedite the reopening of roads after the events concluded. Teams from GM-Rio and Seop provided assistance to nearly 400 citizens on the streets of Rio, mostly with information. Of these, 86 were tourists.
During the day, GM-Rio (Rio Municipal Guard) recorded four incidents of people being taken to the police station. At the Sambadrome, a 32-year-old man was arrested in the act of assaulting his girlfriend. He resisted arrest but was detained and taken to the 6th Police Station in the city center. The victim needed to be taken to the hospital to treat her injuries. At the same location, a man suspected of racial slurs against a woman in one of the stands of the samba runway was also taken to the police station. During the Buda da Barra bloco parade, a parking attendant was taken to the 42nd Police Station in Recreio dos Bandeirantes for illegally practicing the profession. Meanwhile, on Intendente Magalhães Avenue, a team from the Maria da Penha Patrol was called to respond to an incident of assault and violation of a protective order.
At the Marquês de Sapucaí, operations took place both inside and outside the Sambadrome. Outside and in other locations in Rio, inspection teams approached 426 street vendors through actions by the Urban Control Coordination (CCU). Inside the Sambadrome, teams were positioned around health posts and also at the entrances to the stands. Teams from the Maria da Penha Patrol (RMP) were positioned at strategic points in Sapucaí, acting to apprehend cases of violence against women and providing emergency support, as well as promoting the Specialized Care Network, in support of the Secretariat for Women's Policies and Care. The teams carried out hundreds of interventions throughout the day of the parades.
Nearly two thousand agents participated in operations throughout the city this Sunday, 950 of them in the vicinity of the Sambadrome alone. In total, one and a half tons of prohibited items were removed to municipal depots.
Throughout Sunday, teams from the Integrated Territorial Actions Coordination (CATI) were working on the streets of Rio, including in the vicinity of the street parades and the Marquês de Sapucaí. Seventy-two homeless people were approached, but none accepted the shelter offered by the Rio City Hall. The teams checked the criminal records of seven individuals approached, but no one was taken to police stations. In total, five sharp objects were seized, in addition to three items for drug use.
During the operations, 40 kg of accumulated debris were also removed, contributing to the organization of public space and the reduction of health risks. The actions aimed to preserve public order, prevent risks, and guarantee the safety of the population and those attending the carnival events.
The Municipal Guard and SEOP (Special Operations Secretariat) issued 188 traffic tickets this Sunday. In the Marquês de Sapucaí region alone, the guards operated at 81 roadblocks. Throughout the city, 28 vehicles were towed to public impound lots, and another 53 committed infractions. The agents had the support of 60 operational vehicles and eight tow trucks in the vicinity of the Sambadrome alone.
CET-RIO
The Rio de Janeiro Traffic Engineering Company (CET-Rio) is maintaining special traffic operations to ensure road safety during the 2026 Rio Carnival for the samba school parades at the Sambadrome and 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 downtown and northern zones. On average, 310 traffic operators are deployed at 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 uses approximately 2.500 cones and traffic cones at traffic blockades, in addition to 900 pennants and banners with traffic scheme information. A total of 36 variable message signs are used to inform drivers about 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 the main traffic corridors in the region.
SAMBODROME – Road closures around the Sambadrome have been in place since midnight on Friday (February 13th) for the parades of the Série Ouro samba schools, and the movement and repositioning of the floats on Avenida Presidente Vargas. The roads will be gradually closed again at 12 pm, 5 pm, and 7 pm to allow for the parades each day of the Special Group. The closures are adjusted according to the start and end of the parades, with temporary reopenings of strategic roads to ensure access to the city center.
Traffic heading towards the city center is diverted to Avenida Paulo de Frontin, with alternative routes via Rua Itapiru and Rua Haddock Lobo. There are also changes for vehicles coming from the Rebouças Tunnel, with a detour to Rua Santa Alexandrina. On days when the Special Group parades take place, the scheme remains the same, with Rua Frei Caneca and Viaduto 31 de Março reopening daily at 7:30 am and closing again at 7:00 pm.
The existing U-turns on Avenida Paulo de Frontin, near Cidade Nova, will also be closed. Therefore, 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.
Children's School Parade – Starting at 11:2 AM on Friday (February 20th), several roads around the Sambadrome will be closed, including Rua Benedito Hipólito. At 13:15 PM, 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 0:2 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 other closures on Avenida Presidente Vargas, the central lane in the direction of 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 height of 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 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 (February 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 began at 2:30 PM on February 14th and will 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 will 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. Parking is prohibited by signs in the area between February 13th and 22nd. Drivers are advised to pay attention to the signage installed on the road. CET-Rio teams are working in the area to guide drivers and implement operational measures to improve traffic flow whenever necessary.
Prohibitions: Praça dos Lavradores and streets Dinis Barreto; Carlos Xavier; Cap. Couto Menezes; Conde de Linhares; Andrade de Araújo; Araçuaí; Cincinato da Silva; Olímpio de Azevedo; Cirilo da Silveira; Jaime Marquês de Araújo; General Fernando and Batalha.
Deviations:
Towards Cascadura: Anália Franco Street, Pinto Teles Street and Cândido Benício Street.
Towards Vila Valqueire: Rua Maria José, Rua Pereira de Figueiredo and Estrada Intendente Magalhães.
HEALTH
This Sunday (February 15th), the first day of the Special Group parades, the medical posts of the Municipal Health Department (SMS) at the Sambadrome provided 646 services. Forty-two patients needed to be transferred to hospitals in the network, which have reinforced their shifts to meet the demand of Carnival. Adding up the three days of parades, including those of the Gold Series, the SMS units in Sapucaí have registered, so far, 1.048 services, with 94 transfers to hospitals in the network.
The main reasons for seeking medical attention are spikes in blood pressure, discomfort and fatigue due to the exertion of the parade and the weight of the costumes, headaches, sprains, orthopedic injuries and contusions. The first aid stations will remain open for the second and third days of the Special Group samba school parades, this Monday (February 16th) and Tuesday (February 17th).
It is important to highlight that the Municipal Health Department (SMS) is also carrying out educational actions at the Sambadrome to promote health and prevent sexually transmitted infections. Dispensers are installed in the restrooms to provide male and female condoms.
Health Surveillance Actions
The Municipal Institute of Sanitary Surveillance (IVISA-Rio) conducted 70 sanitary inspections in VIP boxes, medical service stations, ambulances, and other locations, verifying health services, food, beverages, and beauty services. The laboratory team collected 47 food samples for analysis. In addition, an awareness and anti-smoking campaign was carried out, with 330 posters displayed at various points.
Health surveillance
The Health Surveillance Superintendency continues to operate at the Sambadrome with a team from the Strategic Health Surveillance Information Center (CIEVS-Rio), monitoring care at medical posts in order to detect possible events of relevance to public health.
COMLURB
Comlurb's 2026 Carnival Operation collected 314,5 tons of waste this Sunday (February 15th) throughout the city. 65,7 tons were collected after the first night of the Special Group samba school parades, with 38,5 tons inside the parade area and 27,2 tons outside and around the Sambadrome, totaling 133 tons over three days of parades. The street parties that took place on Sunday and the popular dances in the neighborhoods generated 254 tons of waste, with the Bloco Areia standing out with 12,8 tons. The street parties and dances have accumulated 716,2 tons of waste since the pre-Carnival period. The first night of the Silver Series, on Intendente Magalhães Avenue, generated 22 tons of waste, totaling 32 tons in two days. Comlurb's 2026 Carnival Operation has accounted for 881,2 tons of waste since the pre-Carnival period.
Comlurb has prepared a mega special 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 extend until February 22nd, after the Monobloco parade. At all party locations, Comlurb has been cleaning before, during, and after the events, with mechanized sweeping and removal and collection of generated waste.
The company is providing 240-liter and high-capacity containers in all areas with large crowds to facilitate waste disposal by revelers, representing 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) operate in three shifts during Carnival. The grand spectacle of the samba schools at the Sambadrome involves 873 sanitation workers each day of the parades. The entire area surrounding the Sambadrome also receives specialized cleaning. The nighttime operation employs 364 sanitation workers, while the daytime operation employs 141.
For the samba school parades of the Silver and Bronze Series, on the stage set up on Estrada Intendente Magalhães, in Campinho, Comlurb deployed 123 sanitation workers for the night operation and 42 for the day operation, daily. The company has 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. On Avenida Chile – Bira Presidente, during the parades of the themed carnival groups, the company has 80 sanitation workers per day. For cleaning the popular dances held in various neighborhoods of the North Zone during the four days of Carnival, Comlurb deployed 280 sanitation workers per day, divided among all the dances. Comlurb continues to clean all the carnival groups throughout the city.
The service began three weeks ago, during the pre-Carnival period, and continues until the 22nd. The work is carried out on the main streets where the carnival groups parade and throughout the surrounding areas, including access roads and adjacent streets, with services such as mechanized sweeping, washing, emptying of litter bins and containers, and collection and removal of waste. After the parades, Comlurb teams perform hydraulic cleaning with reused water. There are 30 water tanker trucks, 26 vans with hydraulic cleaning equipment, and five trucks with hydraulic cleaning equipment. After washing, eucalyptus essence is applied with 125 backpack sprayers, including in areas with portable toilets. Five thousand liters of concentrated essence and 40 thousand liters of soap are available throughout the Carnival period. Comlurb also cleans the four medical posts installed 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 of the Company's routine services are being carried out normally in the city throughout the Carnival period.
SOCIAL ASSISTANCE
The Municipal Department of Social Assistance (SMAS) continues to expand its actions to protect children and adolescents during Carnival 2026.
This Sunday, at Parque Realengo Susana Naspolini, 270 identification bracelets were distributed, reinforcing the safety of families during the program of shows, DJs, and street parties. At Intendente Magalhães, during the Série Prata parades, 691 identifications were made. At the Sambadrome, 120 children received bracelets, strengthening their protection during the parades.
The initiative aims to provide greater peace of mind for parents and guardians and facilitate a quick reunion if children and teenagers get lost, as the bracelets include the name and contact phone number of the guardians.
Furthermore, the Community Space, aimed at the sons and daughters of street vendors who work around the Sapucaí (Sambadrome), welcomed 28 children. There, they participate in recreational and cultural activities, receive meals, and have a safe space to rest, contributing to the prevention of child labor and offering greater peace of mind to families.
These actions are part of SMAS' campaign for Carnival 2026, with the motto "Protecting is our theme".
Women's Secretariat
On the first night of the Special Group parades, there were no reports of assistance provided by the Secretariat for Policies for Women and Care at the Marquês de Sapucaí or at the Fan Fest in Copacabana. One incident was recorded at Intendente Magalhães, where assistance began this Sunday.
The case registered on site received immediate attention from a specialized technical team, with qualified listening, guidance, and the necessary referrals to the municipal protection network.
The Municipal Secretariat for Women's Policies and Care continues to have fixed posts at Sapucaí, Intendente Magalhães and the Fan Fest, in addition to the permanent dissemination of support channels, such as the platform www.mulher.rio, 1746 and 190 in situations of immediate risk.
This action reinforces the commitment to maintaining public policy in the city's main areas, ensuring information, support, and a rapid response throughout the Carnival period.
SCHEDULE – MONDAY (16/2)
Parades at the Marquis of Sapucaí
The Special Group schools continue the spectacle at Marquês de Sapucaí on Monday (February 16th) and Tuesday (February 17th), with the parades of the elite groups of Rio's Carnival.
February 16 (Monday)
Independent Youth of Father Miguel
Hummingbird of Nilópolis
Unites do Viradouro
States of Tijuca
Samba Terreirão
The Terreirão do Samba Nelson Sargento enters its second weekend of the 2026 season, with five consecutive days of carnival shows. Stars like Suel, Ferrugem, and Belo will headline the festivities on the stage, named after the singer, composer, and percussionist João da Baiana, between February 13th and 17th. With tickets starting at R$15, the expectation is that around 50 people will participate in the celebrations promoted by Sesc RJ in Praça Onze.
Tickets for the entire Terreirão season are now on sale at [website/store name]. digital box office, from R$ 15.
Monday | 16/2
FM O DIA
RDN
DINIZ FAMILY
GABRIELZINHO
EXISTENCE GROUP
BEAUTIFUL
FM O DIA
Service
Address: Rua Benedito Hipólito, 66, Praça Onze – Centro
Sales: Terreirão Box Office and online website
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 grand 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 festive 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.
Monday | 16/2
Carnival Contest (16 PM to 18:30 PM)
OSMAR DO BREQUE
ELLEN DE LIMA
PAULO NUNES
TOM FROM BAHIA
MARCIO GOMES
SELMA COSTA
LUIS CESAR
REGINALDO BESSA
GOTSHA
ALBERTO GINO
WLADIMIR CABANAS
TUPY ORCHESTRA
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
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.
Monday – February 16th
Tijuca Empire — 18 PM
Flamanguaça — 18:40 PM
Carioca Spell — 19:20 PM
Siri de Ramos — 20 PM
Academics of Abolition — 20:40 PM
Empire of Nova Iguaçu — 21:20 PM
Saint Clement — 22 PM
Academics of Dendê — 22:40 PM
Academics of Engenho da Rainha — 23:20 PM
Unidos de Santa Tereza — 00h
Academics of Rocinha — 00:40
Academics of Santa Cruz — 01:20 AM
Alegria do Vilar — 2h
Lion of Nova Iguaçu — 2:40 AM
Empire of the Grape — 3:20 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 Rio 2026 Blocks app and on... official website, ensuring that all party-goers know where and when the festivities will take place.
Important Recommendations
– Use public transportation whenever possible (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 closures around the city, with the movement of floats, blocks and processions.
– During Carnival, Rio City Hall monitors the concentration of people in the Lapa region, however, no traffic closures are planned in the area.
– Respect no-parking zones and be aware of restricted hours, as tow trucks are circulating throughout the city.
– To ensure the safety of partygoers, 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 must do so via Largo do Estácio, always carrying proof of residence.
