If you’re in Rio de Janeiro in January or early February, consider yourself lucky. Long before the Sambadrome parades take over the spotlight, the city’s street Carnival (Carnaval de Rua) is already in full swing — and it’s one of the most authentic ways to experience Rio like a local.
The official street Carnival season kicks off January 17–18 and runs through February 22, filling neighborhoods across the city with music, dancing, and spontaneous celebrations. According to Riotur, this year’s calendar includes hundreds of bloco parades, attracting millions of people to streets, squares, and avenues all over Rio.
Why Street Carnival Is Perfect for Visitors
Unlike the Sambadrome shows, street blocos are free, open-air, and informal. You don’t need tickets, costumes are optional (but encouraged), and you can simply follow the music until you find your crowd. It’s Carnival at ground level — relaxed, joyful, and deeply local.
Another bonus for travelers: the schedule is spread across the city, so you’re not limited to one area. Downtown, the South Zone, Tijuca, Madureira, and even more residential neighborhoods host their own blocos, each with a different vibe — from traditional marching bands to high-energy samba and pop-infused parades.
What’s Happening on the Opening Weekend
The first official weekend of Carnival 2026 is perfect if you want to experience the energy without the intensity of peak days closer to February.
On Saturday, January 17, neighborhood blocos like Folia do Sapê (Honório Gurgel) and Tá Chegando a Hora (Pedra de Guaratiba) offer a more local, community-focused atmosphere — great for travelers curious about areas beyond the classic postcard routes.
On Sunday, January 18, options become livelier and more traditional, including Unidos do Santa Bárbara in Engenho de Dentro and the well-known Banda da Saens Peña in Tijuca, a favorite among locals looking for strong music and a friendly crowd.
One standout event is the Pre-Carnival Opening in Madureira, held at Parque de Madureira with the ritual of Águas de Cheiro. It symbolically marks the start of Carnival in Rio’s suburban areas and offers visitors a deeper look into Afro-Brazilian traditions and samba culture outside the usual tourist circuit.
A Quick Tip for Travelers
Even before January 17, Rio was already warming up. The unofficial pre-Carnival season began earlier in January 2026, with dozens of blocos popping up across downtown and residential neighborhoods.
In practical terms: if you’re in Rio anytime between January and February 2026, Carnival will find you. Pack light clothes, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and embrace flexibility — plans tend to dissolve once the music starts.
Rio Pre-Carnival Street Blocos — January & February 2026
Saturday, January 17
Tá Chegando a Hora
Pedra de Guaratiba
Meet-up: Rua Barros de Alarcão, 464
5:00 PM
Sunday, January 18
Madureira Pre-Carnival Opening with Águas de Cheiro
Madureira
Meet-up: Rua Soares Caldeira, 115
4:00 PM
Banda da Saens Peña
Tijuca
Meet-up: Praça Saens Peña, 344
3:00 PM
Monday, January 19
Cordão do Boitatá — Rehearsal
Downtown (Lapa)
Meet-up: Circo Voador
7:00 PM
Saturday, January 24
Sorvetada Gigantes da Lira
Laranjeiras
Meet-up: Praça Jardim Laranjeiras
10:00 AM
Bloco da Praia
Pedra de Guaratiba
Meet-up: Rua Barros de Alarcão, 464
5:00 PM
Sunday, January 25
Cala a Boca & Dança
Freguesia de Jacarepaguá
Meet-up: Rua Xingú, 307
9:00 AM
Caminhadinha
Humaitá
Meet-up: Largo dos Leões, 35-B
8:00 AM
Folia do Tinoco
Tijuca
Meet-up: Rua General Espírito Santo Cardoso, 41
1:00 PM
Saturday, January 31
Pega Rex!
Downtown (Centro)
Meet-up: Rua do Mercado, 37
2:00 PM
Acadêmicos do Engenho de Dentro
Engenho de Dentro
Meet-up: Rua Venâncio Ribeiro, 290
4:00 PM
Atabloco
Gamboa
Meet-up: Rua Barão de São Félix, 8
2:00 PM
Metcom Wod
Grajaú
Meet-up: Avenida Júlio Furtado, 10
8:00 AM
Tá Chegando a Hora
Pedra de Guaratiba
Meet-up: Rua Barros de Alarcão, 464
5:00 PM
Bloco Gordelícia
Piedade
Meet-up: Rua Bernardino de Campos, 93
2:00 PM
Bloco do Moreno
Tijuca
Meet-up: Rua Urbano Duarte, 30
12:00 PM
Nossobloquinho Oficial
Tijuca
Meet-up: Praça Xavier de Brito, 14
9:00 AM
Sunday, February 1
Xodó da Piedade
Piedade
Meet-up: Rua Leopoldina, 213
4:00 PM
Piratas
Saúde
Meet-up: Largo São Francisco da Prainha
9:00 AM
Monday, January 26
Cordão do Boitatá — Rehearsal
Downtown (Lapa)
Meet-up: Circo Voador
7:00 PM
Friday, February 6
Zona Mental
Bangu
Meet-up: Rua Sidnei, 96
4:00 PM
Chroma Aqui na Minha Mão
Downtown (Centro)
Meet-up: Rua do Rezende, 10
6:00 PM
Educa que Liberta
Downtown (Centro)
Meet-up: Rua Pedro Lessa, 35
7:00 PM
Bloco Virtual
Leme
Meet-up: Praça Almirante Júlio de Noronha, 86
6:00 PM
Bloco Rolado
Maracanã
Meet-up: Praça Niterói, 17
6:00 PM
Saturday, February 7
Bloco Insano
Alto da Boa Vista
Meet-up: Avenida Édison Passos, 19
2:00 PM
Bloco da Mamadeira
Botafogo
Meet-up: Parque General Leandro
3:00 PM
Bloco da Saara
Downtown (Centro)
Meet-up: Rua Buenos Aires, 271
1:00 PM
Banda Bandida
Copacabana
Meet-up: Rua Inhangá, 11
4:00 PM
Bloco O Fervo
Estácio
Meet-up: Rua Professor Quintino do Vale, 65-A
3:00 PM
Bloco Okê
Flamengo
Meet-up: Parque do Flamengo
12:00 PM
Cacique de Higienópolis
Higienópolis
Meet-up: Rua Tamiarana
4:00 PM
Bloco do Aquilah
Madureira
Meet-up: Rua Soares Caldeira, 115
3:00 PM
Quem For Corno Me Acompanhe
Quintino
Meet-up: Rua Saçu, 25
6:00 PM
Bloco Regos Barros
Santo Cristo
Meet-up: Rua Rêgo Barros, 79
4:00 PM
Já Comi Pior Pagando
Tijuca
Meet-up: Rua Leite de Abreu
4:00 PM
Tijuca Pára Cães
Tijuca
Meet-up: Praça Saens Peña
9:00 AM
Só o Cume Interessa
Urca
Meet-up: Praça General Tibúrcio
9:00 AM
Sunday, February 8
Banda do Anil
Anil
Meet-up: Estrada da Uruçanga, 20
12:00 PM
Unidos do Engenho de Dentro
Engenho de Dentro
Meet-up: Rua Adolfo Bergamini, 370
4:00 PM
Batucar Pra Ser Feliz
Freguesia
Meet-up: Estrada dos Três Rios, 2
10:00 AM
Escoteiros na Folia
Méier
Meet-up: Travessa Miracema, 148
9:00 AM
Panela da Folia
Realengo
Meet-up: Rua Belisário de Sousa, 779
11:00 AM
No Rabo do Pavão
Riachuelo
Meet-up: Rua 24 de Maio, 527
12:00 PM
Bailinho do Capitão Trombeta
Ribeira
Meet-up: Rua Maldonado, 293
7:00 AM
Bloquinho do Sem Ribalta
Tijuca
Meet-up: Rua Dr. Satamini, 160
8:00 AM
Bigodinho Esticado
Todos os Santos
Meet-up: Rua Adriano, 144
11:00 AM
Sementes do Samba I (Children’s Bloco)
Vila Isabel
Meet-up: Boulevard 28 de Setembro, 226
9:00 AM
Monday, February 2
Cordão do Boitatá — Rehearsal
Downtown (Lapa)
Meet-up: Circo Voador
7:00 PM
Wednesday, February 11
Regula mas Libera
Downtown (Centro)
Meet-up: Rua Teófilo Otoni, 58
6:00 PM
Thursday, February 12
Batuque na Justiça
Cinelândia
Meet-up: Praça Floriano
5:00 PM
Badalo de Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa
Meet-up: Largo das Neves
6:00 PM
Friday, February 13
Órfãos do Brizola
Downtown (Centro)
Meet-up: Rua do Teatro, 29
4:00 PM
Te Vejo por Dentro
Lapa
Meet-up: Rua Joaquim Silva, 15
5:00 PM
Vai Tomar no Azul
Engenho de Dentro
Meet-up: Praça Rio Grande do Norte
6:00 PM
Turma dos 300
Grajaú
Meet-up: Rua Júlio Furtado, 84
6:00 PM
Vermelho e Preto e Coirmãos
Padre Miguel
Meet-up: Rua Castelo de Guimarães
6:00 PM
Harmonia
Saúde
Meet-up: Rua Sacadura Cabral, 355
1:00 PM
Saturday, February 14
Rio2Amores
Barra Olímpica
Meet-up: Rua Mário Agostinelli, 155
4:00 PM
Alta Pressão
Campo Grande
Meet-up: Rua Coronel Agostinho, 161
12:00 PM
Exaltação ao Samba de Enredo
Downtown (Centro)
Meet-up: Avenida Gomes Freire, 256
10:00 AM
Vinil Social da Abolição
Engenho de Dentro
Meet-up: Rua Afonso Ferreira, 270
2:00 PM
Cachaçeiros do Único
Engenho Novo
Meet-up: Rua Baronesa do Engenho Novo, 318
6:00 PM
Ciganas Feiticeiras de Olaria
Olaria
Meet-up: Rua Paranhos, 726
5:00 PM
Bloco do Corso
Paquetá
Meet-up: Rua Pinheiro Freire, 40
4:00 PM
Bloco do Serragens
Paquetá
Meet-up: Rua Adelaíde Alambari, 85
12:00 PM
Tigre do Coqueiro
Pedra de Guaratiba
Meet-up: Rua Barros de Alarcão, 283
5:00 PM
Banda do Largo da Segunda-Feira
Tijuca
Meet-up: Rua Conde de Bonfim, 25
4:00 PM
Sunday, February 15
Piratas de Padre Miguel
Bangu
Meet-up: Rua do Irerê, 107
8:00 AM
Banda do Lidinho
Copacabana
Meet-up: Praça do Lido
3:00 PM
Fregobloco
Freguesia
Meet-up: Estrada dos Três Rios, 271
7:00 AM
Afro Batikum
Madureira
Meet-up: Avenida Ministro Edgar Romero, 114
3:00 PM
Vem que Eu Te Abraço
Padre Miguel
Meet-up: Rua C, 193
1:00 PM
Piranha Porra Loka
Pedra de Guaratiba
Meet-up: Travessa do Desterro, 7
2:00 PM
Coroinha
Pedra de Guaratiba
Meet-up: Rua Barros de Alarcão, 230
3:00 PM
Monday, February 16
Tudo Bom
Bangu
Meet-up: Rua Figueiredo Camargo, 351
2:00 PM
Olha Pra Quem Te Ama
Padre Miguel
Meet-up: Rua D, 340
12:00 PM
Tuesday, February 17
Cultural Pegada de Malandro
Bangu
Meet-up: Rua Figueiredo Camargo, 351
3:00 PM
Tudo Nosso
Engenho de Dentro
Meet-up: Galpão do Engenhão
1:00 PM
Foliões do Verdun
Grajaú
Meet-up: Largo do Verdun
5:00 PM
Limão do Picareta
Honório Gurgel
Meet-up: Rua Jurubaíba
3:00 PM
Cornos e Simpatizantes
Manguinhos
Meet-up: Avenida dos Democráticos, 30
3:00 PM
Teimosos do Maracanã
Maracanã
Meet-up: Rua Visconde de Itamarati, 42
3:00 PM
