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Each year, the result of the Carnaval do Rio de Janeiro is decided inside the Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí , where the city’s top samba schools compete for the championship title. The Sambadrome, inaugurated in 1984 and designed by Oscar Niemeyer , is a purpose built parade avenue measuring approximately 700 metres in length and holding around 72,000 spectators during the main parade nights. The competition features schools from the Grupo Especial, the highest division of Ri

Brazilian Carnival is one of the world’s most vibrant, chaotic, and colourful festivals, known for its energetic street parties ( blocos ), samba parades, and extravagant costumes. One lesser known, but important, part of Carnival fashion is the abadá . If you're planning to attend a Camarote , a closed bloco, or other private events, you'll need to understand what an abadá is and how you can (and can't) customise it. What is an Abadá? An abadá  is a brightly coloured branded

Shakira is set bring her iconic "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour" to the sands of Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on 2 May 2026, for a spectacular free concert. This show is part of the "Todo Mundo no Rio" initiative, aimed at boosting the local economy. Madonna performed at first edition of the event in 2024, which attracted 1.6 million people. Lady Gaga brought her iconic show "Mayhem on the Beach" for the program's second edition in 2025, attracting 2.1 million peop

If you're planning to attend Salvador Carnival in 2026, you may be deciding the best way to celebrate. The main Carnival festivities in Salvador take place at blocos (street parties) and parades. In Salvador, Carnival is a city-wide street party with music trucks called trios elétricos  leading the way. Aside from following the trios in the pipoca  (the crowd following behind the truck), camarotes  offer a more private, organised, and safe way to watch the parades. Camarote

Carnival in Brazil is one of the country’s largest and most iconic festivals. It takes place annually in the days leading up to Lent and combines music, dance, samba school parades at the Sambadrome , and street parties, called blocos . The most famous celebrations are held in the cities of Rio de Janeiro , Salvador , Recife and Olinda , however there are Carnival events held across the country. The festival attracts millions of locals as well as international travellers look

The Pororoca Onda is a large tidal bore in Brazil that forms when Atlantic Ocean tides enter the mouth of the Amazon River system and moves inland. The name Pororoca, meaning "big noise" in the indigenous Tupi language, refers to the sound made by the incoming water. The wave can reach heights of about four metres in some sections and can travel for hundreds of kilometres along the river and its tributaries, making the Pororoca the longest wave in the world. This bore creates

Brazilians love a reason to celebrate, and Christmas is no different. The Christmas season in Brazil is full of colour an music, celebrated during the country’s summer, full of colour, music, and family traditions. Unlike in countries where Christmas is associated with snow, Brazilians enjoy sunny days at the beach or park alongside some European traditions like Christmas Eve dinner. The holiday season in Brazil blends Catholic and European traditions, with its own local twis

The Festa do Peao de Barretos , Latin America's largest and most iconic rodeo festival, is set to celebrate its 70th edition from 21-31...

The Town by Rock in Rio  is back in Sao Paulo for its second unforgettable edition. Organised by the creators of Rock in Rio , this...

The Festa Literária Internacional de Paraty (FLIP), the annual international literary festival held in Paraty each year, is one of...

Planning to experience the magic of Rio Carnival in 2026? Don’t miss your chance to secure the highly sought-after tickets for the Sambadrome Parade. UPDATE ON REMAINING CARNIVAL TICKETS (JAN 2026): A limited number of official Sambadrome tickets are still available on Ticketmaster Brazil : Arquibancada Popular 1  - available dates Camarotes (all-inclusive VIP) - find which Camarote is right for you , or see available dates The following tickets are sold out and are only avai

The Parintins Folklore Festival (Festival Folclórico de Parintins), also known as the Boi-Bumbá Festival, is one of Brazil’s most unique...

Festa Junina (June Festival), or São João, is a Brazilian festival celebrated in June, honoring the Catholic feast days of Saint Anthony,...

UPDATE ON REMAINING TICKETS (JAN 2026): A limited number of official Sambadrome tickets are still available on Ticketmaster Brazil : Arquibancada Popular 1  - available dates Camarotes (all-inclusive VIP) - find which Camarote is right for you , or see available dates The following tickets are sold out and are only available through 3rd Party Re-sellers: Carnaval Passaporte and Sambista tickets went on sale in June 2025 and are sold out Arquibancada Tickets went on sale in O

Lollapalooza Brazil 2026 is just around the corner! The iconic music festival will take over São Paulo’s Autódromo de Interlagos, from 20 - 22 March 2026, with major international headliners including Sabrina Carpenter, Deftones, Chappell Roan, Skrillex, Lorde, and Tyler, the Creator. Tickets are on sale now , including day passes, three-day passes, and Lolla Lounge passes. There are also three official side-shows scheduled. Known for its eclectic mix of top-tier global art

The Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is world-famous for its samba parades, lively street blocos (parties), and electrifying atmosphere that takes over the city. Blocos are street parties organized by different groups, each with its own unique theme, music, and traditions. These blocos range from small neighborhood gatherings to massive parades with tens of thousands of people. Some of the most famous Carnival blocos in Rio de Janeiro include Cordão da Bola Preta, which attracts

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links, meaning if you buy a product using these links I may receive a small commission. Thanks for your support! The Carnival in Pernambuco, concentrated in the sister cities of Olinda and Recife , is famous for its Frevo music and diverse blocos (street parties) that bring the streets to life with unique themes. Pernambuco’s Carnival is a festival that blends African, Indigenous, and Portuguese influences into one of the most trad

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links, meaning if you buy a product using these links I may receive a small commission. Thanks for your support! Carnival in Brazil is one of the most spectacular festivals in the world, famous for its vibrant music and dancing, and, of course, the dazzling costumes. Whether you're attending a samba parade at the Sambadrome , or joining a bloco (street party), knowing what to wear is essential to fully embrace the spirit of Carniva

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links, meaning if you buy a product using these links I may receive a small commission. Thanks for your support! If it's your first time going to Carnaval in Brazil, you may be wondering what to bring with you - from what to wear to what to bring to keep your belongings safe, it's important to pack strategically. Carnaval 2026 is set to take place from 13 - 21 February 2026, and while Rio de Janeiro is the most well-known Carnival