Rio Carnival 2026 Sambadrome

Here’s everything you need to know about Rio Carnival 2026, including dates, ticket booking, and samba school themes:

🎉 Rio Carnival 2026 Dates & Schedule

📅 Dates: February 13 (Friday) to February 21 (Saturday), 2026
📍 Main Venue: Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí

🗓️ Parade Breakdown:

Access Group Parades: Feb 13–14 (Fri–Sat)
Special Group Parades: Feb 15–17 (Sun–Tue)
Champions Parade: Feb 21 (Sat)
🕓 Parades start around 4 PM and continue until late night[1]

🎟️ Ticket Booking for Sambadrome 2026

You can book tickets from trusted agencies like:

✅ Bookers International

Sector 9 (Best View): From \$104 to \$444
Grandstands: From \$24
Front Boxes (Frisas): From \$104
Folia Tropical VIP Lounge: From \$424
Digital tickets via Ticketmaster (Quentro wallet) for grandstands
Physical pickup required for boxes and lounges[2]

✅ Carnival Bookers

Offers early bird discounts, guided transfers, and hospitality desk in Copacabana[3]

🎭 Samba School Themes for 2026

The Special Group samba schools are preparing powerful and culturally rich themes:

🌟 Confirmed Themes:

Beija-Flor: Market Bembé – Afro-Brazilian religious festival celebrating abolition of slavery
Paraíso do Tuiuti: Lonã Ifá Lukumi – Afro-Cuban religious connections
Estácio de Sá: Tata Tancredo – The Black Pope – Tribute to Afro-Brazilian spiritual leader[4]

🧠 Speculated Themes:

Grande Rio: Tribute to actress Suzana Vieira
Empress Leopoldinense: Honoring designer Rosa Magalhães
Vila Isabel: Story of Zé do Caroço
Youth of Padre Miguel: Celebrating 100 years of Castor de Andrade

These themes reflect Afro-Brazilian heritage, social justice, and artistic innovation.

Would you like help choosing a sector and ticket type for booking, or a custom itinerary for Carnival week?

References

[1] Rio Carnival 2026 | Sambodrome Parades Schedule - Latin Discoveries

[2] Get Your Rio Carnival 2026 Ticket Package Right here!

[3] Buy Rio Carnival 2026 Ticket Packages - Best Prices & Secure

[4] Samba School Themes 2026: Discover the Most Anticipated Themes - Rio ...

Here’s a complete guide to Rio Carnival 2026, including parade schedules, samba school themes, ticket options, street blocos, and travel packages:

🎭 Rio Carnival 2026 Overview

📍 Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
📅 Dates: February 13 (Friday) to February 21 (Saturday), 2026
🏟️ Main Venue: Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí

🗓️ Parade Schedule

🔹 Access Group Parades

Feb 13–14 (Fri–Sat): 16 samba schools compete to enter the Special Group

🔹 Special Group Parades

Feb 15–17 (Sun–Tue): Top 12 samba schools perform
- 4 schools per night
- Judged on 9 criteria including floats, costumes, harmony, and theme[1]

🔹 Champions Parade

Feb 21 (Sat): Top 6 schools perform again in a celebratory showcase

🎨 Samba School Themes (Enredos)

Confirmed Highlights:

Beija-Flor: Market Bembé – Afro-Brazilian religious festival celebrating abolition of slavery
Paraíso do Tuiuti: Lonã Ifá Lukumi – Afro-Cuban religious traditions
Estácio de Sá: Tata Tancredo – The Black Pope – Tribute to Afro-Brazilian spiritual leader[2]

Speculated Themes:

Grande Rio: Tribute to actress Suzana Vieira
Vila Isabel: Story of Zé do Caroço
Youth of Padre Miguel: Celebrating Castor de Andrade’s centenary

🎟️ Ticket Options & Prices

💺 Sambadrome Seating Types:

Type	Price Range	Features
Grandstands	\$24–\$70	Budget-friendly, lively crowd, great views
Sector 9	\$105–\$170	Numbered seats, best view near judges
Front Boxes	\$104–\$938	Closest to parade, reserved seats
Folia Tropical	\$424+	VIP lounge with buffet, drinks, and club vibe

Digital Tickets: Grandstands via Ticketmaster (Quentro wallet)
Physical Pickup: Boxes and lounges at Copacabana Hospitality Desk[3]

🔗 Book Tickets Here [3]

🎉 Street Blocos & Parties

Hundreds of blocos across Rio from Feb 13–21
Popular ones include:
- Cordão da Bola Preta
- Sargento Pimenta (Beatles-themed)
- Simpatia é Quase Amor
- Bloco das Carmelitas

📱 Download the Blocos do Rio 2026 app for full schedule and locations[4]

🧳 Travel Packages & Accommodation

🏨 Top Travel Agencies:

DoBrazilRight
- 3–4 night packages
- Sector 9 tickets, transfers, breakfast
- Optional private tours
- View Packages [5]
TGW Travel Group
- 3–5 star hotels
- VIP party access, parade tickets, city tours
- Explore TGW Packages [6]
Hello Rio Travel Co.
- Essentials package for couples
- Hotel, transfers, parade tickets, guided tour
- Book Here [7]

Would you like help selecting a ticket sector, comparing travel packages, or getting a custom itinerary for your Carnival trip?

References

[1] Rio Carnival 2026 | Sambodrome Parades Schedule - Latin Discoveries

[2] Samba Schools 2026 Themes: Discover the Most Anticipated Themes

[3] Buy your RIO CARNIVAL TICKETS 2026 | Rio.com by Bookers

[4] Rio Carnival 2026 Schedule: Unmissable Parades, Blocks and Shows

[5] Rio Carnival Packages 2026 by DoBrazilRight Tours & Travel

[6] Rio Carnival 2026 Travel Package - TGW Travel Group

[7] Rio Carnaval 2026 | Trip for 2 | Hello Rio Travel Co.

🧳 Tips for Visitors

Book early: Hotels and Sambadrome tickets sell out fast
Stay safe: Travel in groups, keep valuables secure
Dress comfortably: Light clothes, sunscreen, and hydration are key
Join a bloco: For the most authentic experience, dance in the streets!

Would you like help planning a trip to Rio Carnival 2025—like finding tickets, accommodation, or creating a travel itinerary?

References

[1] Rio Carnival - Wikipedia

[2] History and Evolution of Rio Carnival

[3] Carnival 2025 in Rio de Janeiro: Schedule, Information, and Costs

[4] Everything to Know About Rio Carnival 2025 in Brazil

Here’s a detailed guide to the Rio Carnival 2025, covering everything from samba school parades to street blocos, tickets, safety, and where to stay near the Sambadrome:

🎉 Samba School Parades at the Sambadrome

The Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí hosts the most spectacular parades:

🗓️ Parade Schedule:

March 2–4, 2025: Special Group parades (top 12 samba schools)
March 8, 2025: Champions Parade (top 6 schools perform again)[1]

🌟 Featured Samba Schools:

Mangueira: Celebrating Bantu heritage and favela pride[2]
Beija-Flor, Portela, Viradouro, Unidos da Tijuca, Salgueiro, Vila Isabel, and more[3]

Each school presents a unique theme (enredo) with elaborate floats, costumes, and samba music.

Great! You can book Rio Carnival 2025 Sambadrome tickets through several official and trusted platforms. Here are the top options with direct links and details:

🎟️ 1. Rio Tickets – Official Vendor

Website: Rio Tickets [1]
Ticket Types:
- Grandstand (Arquibancadas): From \$30 USD – unnumbered seats with good views
- Front Boxes (Frisas): From \$109 USD – close to the parade, numbered seats
- VIP Lounges: From \$425 USD – includes buffet, drinks, spa, and premium views
Extras:
- Guided shuttle to Sambadrome
- Carnival guidebook
- Multilingual support (English, Spanish, French, Portuguese)

🎟️ 2. Carnaval Ticket Rio – Official Agency

Website: Carnaval Ticket Rio [2]
Ticket Packages:
- Grandstand, Front Box, and VIP Lounge options
- Includes pick-up locations in Copacabana or Barra
- Parade schedule clearly listed for each day

🎟️ 3. Sambadrome.com

Website: Sambadrome Tickets [3]
Ticket Types:
- Front Boxes
- Grandstands
- Luxury Suites
- Allocated Chairs
Offers detailed info on ticket handling and parade structure

🎟️ 4. Marriott Activities

Website: Marriott Carnival Tickets [4]
Includes:
- E-ticket or physical ticket options
- Pick-up at Arena Copacabana Hotel
- Guided shuttle service

🎟️ 5. Power Traveller

Website: Power Traveller Tickets [5]
Price: From \$120 USD
Includes:
- Front-row seats
- Shuttle service with guide
- Complimentary drinks

Would you like me to help you compare ticket types, choose the best sector, or guide you through the booking process on one of these platforms?

References

[1] Rio Tickets - Rio's Carnival Tickets!

[2] Rio Carnival Ticket Sambadrome 2025 ! Official Agency. Buy with Confidence.

[3] Sambadrome Tickets - Sambadrome.com

[4] Rio Carnival Tickets: 2025 Sambadrome Rio Carnival Parade

[5] Rio Carnival Parade Ticket 2025 With Shuttle Included

The best views at the Sambadrome depend on your budget and the kind of experience you're looking for. Here's a breakdown of the most popular sectors and what makes each one special:

🥇 Sector 9 – Best Overall Experience

Why it's great: Reserved seating, central location, and closest to the judges.
View: You see the full performance as the samba schools present their best choreography and floats here.
Recommended for: First-time visitors, photographers, and those who want the most complete view.

🥈 Sector 6 & 7 – Great for Photos and Energy

Why it's great: Located near the middle of the parade route.
View: Excellent for capturing the energy and movement of the parade.
Recommended for: Those who want to be in the heart of the action.

🥉 Sector 3 – Budget-Friendly with Good Views

Why it's great: Cheapest tickets, but still offers a solid view.
View: Near the beginning of the parade route.
Recommended for: Budget travelers and locals.

💎 Frisas (Front Boxes) – Closest to the Action

Why it's great: You're right next to the parade route.
View: Unmatched proximity to dancers and floats.
Recommended for: Groups, families, and those who want to feel immersed.

🛋️ Luxury Suites (Camarotes) – VIP Experience

Why it's great: Air-conditioned, catered, private bathrooms.
View: Elevated and panoramic.
Recommended for: Corporate groups, celebrities, and luxury travelers.

Would you like help choosing between Sector 9 Grandstand or a Frisa box, and then walk you through the booking on a trusted site?

🎭 Street Parties (Blocos)

Over 480 official blocos will parade across Rio’s neighborhoods from Feb 1 to Mar 9, 2025[4].

🔥 Popular Blocos:

Cordão da Bola Preta (Centro): Over 1 million people in black & white polka dots[5]
Sargento Pimenta: Beatles-themed samba party[6]
Amigos da Onça: Feline-themed costumes at Praia do Flamengo[4]
Chá da Alice: LGBTQ+ friendly bloco with fantasy themes[7]

You can find the full schedule on the Blocos do Rio 2025 app or official website[8].