What is Carnival in Brazil? Complete first-timers guide to celebrating Carnival in 2026
- Rachel
- Dec 27, 2025
- 15 min read
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 looking to experience the epitome of Brazilian party culture.
This guide for first-time visitors will tell you everything you need to know about Carnival in 2026, including when and where it takes place, what to expect, how to attend events, and practical considerations such as tickets, prices, safety, and what to wear.
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What is Carnival in Brazil
Carnival in Brazil is an annual festival held in the days leading up to Lent in the Christian calendar. It is one of the country’s largest public events and is marked by street parties (blocos), music, dance, parades. Streets fill with huge crowds of people dressed in elaborate costumes, dancing, drumming, drinking, and celebrating.
Though Carnival officially runs for 5 days, the celebrations run much longer. The official celebrations run from the Friday through to the Tuesday night before Ash Wednesday. In practice, events often begin earlier and continue after the official dates.
Each city celebrates Carnival differently. Each city hosts themed blocos that are specific to their history and culture. Rio and Sao Paulo host ticketed samba school competitions at their respective Sambadromes, while Salvador is famous for its trio elétricos (music trucks) that lead the parades.
Why is Carnival celebrated?
Carnival is celebrated because it precedes Lent in the Christian calendar. Traditionally, it marked a final period of public celebration before the forty days of fasting and restraint observed by Catholics in the lead up to Easter. This connection to Lent and Easter is also why Carnival dates change each year.
In contemporary Brazil, Carnival is no longer primarily a religious holiday. It functions as a national cultural event and public festival. For many people, it is a time for collective celebration, artistic expression, and social participation. Some blocos also use Carnival as a platform for political commentary, social causes, and community organisation, working to highlight broader sociocultural or political issues rather than religious ones.
What is the history of Carnival in Brazil
Carnival in Brazil dates back to the seventeenth century and was shaped by traditions introduced during Portuguese colonisation. Early Carnival celebrations in Brazil were influenced by entrudo, which was widespread in Brazilian cities during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
Entrudo was a popular form of street festival, that involved informal public games that took place in the streets. People threw water, mud, flour, citrus fruits, and perfumed liquids at each other. These festivals were interesting as they blurred social boundaries, as people from different classes interacted in public spaces. The events were largely spontaneous, noisy, and unstructured.
Though popular, entrudo was criticised by authorities due to safety concerns and public disorder. Over time, municipal governments attempted to restrict or ban entrudo. This led to a gradual shift towards more organised and regulated Carnival activities during the nineteenth century, such as masked balls, marching groups, and musical parades, which later shaped the modern form of Carnival in Brazil.
In the early twentieth century, samba emerged in Rio de Janeiro and became central to Carnival celebrations. This led to the formation of samba schools and the development of competitive parades, later formalised in venues such as the Sambadrome. In other regions, distinct traditions developed, including trio elétrico parades in Bahia and frevo music in Pernambuco. These regional differences remain a defining feature of Carnival in Brazil today.
What happens during Carnival in Brazil?
During Carnival, there are four key types of events:
Street parties (blocos da rua): The most common feature of Carnival, held in every major Carnival destination. These are organised groups that parade along set routes with live music or sound systems. Some blocos attract thousands of people, while others are smaller local events or with niche themes.
Sambadrome Parade: In cities such as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, samba school parades also take place. These are ticketed events held in Sambadrome and follow a strict schedule. Each samba school performs once, and parades are judged to determine the year's champion.
Camarotes: Camarotes are private viewing areas located along Carnival parade routes or inside the Sambadrome. They are most common in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo during samba school parades, and in Salvador along the trio elétrico circuits. Camarotes are ticketed, and typically include amenities such as food, drinks, entertainment, private bathrooms, security, and an elevated viewing area.
Concerts: Most common in Recife, large stages are set up in the city centre where famous Brazilian artists perform free public concerts.
What is a Carnival bloco?
A Carnival bloco is a street party organised by a group, association, or community. Blocos typically have a costume theme. Some have an official abadá (a branded t-shirt) while others follow a more informal dress-up theme.
Each bloco has a scheduled time, that can be found prior to the start of carnival. Some blocos happen in a fixed location, while others are a moving parade following a pre-determined route. Music is often provided by live bands who lead the parade.
Blocos vary widely in size. Some attract a few hundred people, while others draw crowds in the tens or hundreds of thousands. Most blocos are free, though a small number charge for participation through cordoned off areas or special access.
Samba Parades: What is the Sambadrome?
The Sambadrome is a permanent parade venue designed specifically for samba school competitions during Carnival. It has a long parade avenue with tiered seating on both sides, allowing spectators to watch the performances. There are two Sambadromes: the most well-known is the Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaà in Rio de Janeiro, and the Anhembi Sambadrome in Sao Paulo. Both Sambadromes were designed and purpose-built for Carnival by famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer.
Samba schools are large organisations that prepare year-round for Carnival. Each school presents a themed performance that includes dancers, musicians, floats, and elaborate costumes. Performances are judged on nine criteria that include theme, music, choreography, costumes, and more.
Parades at the Sambadrome are ticketed events with assigned seating. Prices vary based on seat location and the parade night - with the best schools performing on nights with higher ticket prices. Camarotes are also available, offering a VIP viewing experience.
When is Carnival in Brazil? Dates for 2026
Carnival marks the end of the holiday period in Brazil, which begins with Christmas in December. It is often said that in Brazil, the year doesn't start until after Carnival.
Carnival in Brazil is tied to the Christian calendar and takes place in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday. The exact dates change each year because they are calculated in relation to Easter.
In 2026, the official Carnival dates are:
Carnival Friday: 13 February 2026
Carnival Saturday: 14 February 2026
Carnival Sunday: 15 February 2026
Carnival Monday: 16 February 2026
Carnival Tuesday (Fat Tuesday): 17 February 2026
Ash Wednesday: 18 February 2026 (half-day holiday)
Although these are the official dates, Carnival season in many cities starts earlier and finishes later.
Pre-Carnival: Blocos begin one to two weeks before the official start of Carnival, particularly in large cities. It is also possible to attend some of the samba school practice events in the months leading up to Carnival. This is great way to experience Carnival for travellers who may not be able to attend during the official Carnival dates.
Post-Carnival: Realistically, many people will continue to party at least through the following weekend.
Is Carnival a public holiday in Brazil
Carnival is not a national public holiday under Brazilian federal law. Whether Carnival is a public holiday depends on state and local legislation.
In the states of Rio de Janeiro, Pernambuco, and Bahia, Carnival Tuesday is an official public holiday. This applies statewide, including the capital cities of Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Olinda, and Salvador. On this day, most businesses, schools, and government offices are closed by law. While Carnival Monday is not a legal holiday in these states, many workplaces do not operate.
In São Paulo State and Minas Gerais, there are no official public holidays for Carnival. Despite this, in practice many businesses, schools, and public offices close or operate on reduced hours, particularly in the cities of São Paulo and Belo Horizonte.
Where is Carnival celebrated in Brazil?
Carnival is celebrated across the entire country, from large capital cities to small regional towns, though the largest celebrations are held in the major cities of Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Recife and Olinda, Sao Paulo, and Belo Horizonte. Each city has its own traditions, music styles, and types of events, which I will outline below.
Best cities to experience Carnival in Brazil for first timers
Carnival in Rio de Janeiro - Samba parades & street parties
Rio de Janeiro hosts the most internationally recognised Carnival in Brazil. Its Carnival is defined by the combination of large-scale street blocos and formal samba school parades held at the Sambadrome.
The Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaà is a purpose-built parade venue designed by Oscar Niemeyer where the city's top samba schools compete over multiple nights. Each school presents a themed performance that includes drummers, dancers, floats, and costumes, judged against a set of 9 criteria. These parades are ticketed and follow a strict schedule.
Alongside the Sambadrome, Rio also hosts hundreds of blocos across the city. Check the theme of the blocos you plan to attend in advance so that you can dress up according to their theme. Here are the 12 Most Popular Carnival Blocos in Rio de Janeiro.
Carnival in Salvador - Trio Eletricos & Axe Music
In Salvador, Carnival centres around trio elétricos, which are large mobile stages built on trucks, that carry live bands and sound systems. These trucks move slowly along set circuits through the city, with crowds following on foot. There are three key circuits: Barra-Ondina, Campo Grande, and Pelourinho.
Music is central to Salvador Carnival, particularly axé, samba-reggae, and Afro Brazilian styles. Trio elétricos run through the circuits for multiple hours per day, and you can choose to either follow behind a specific truck, or stand on the side and watch various trucks pass you by. The groups of people who follow behind the trucks are called Pipoca (popcorn), because of the way the crowd jumps and moves around behind the trucks.
If the Pipoca doesn't appeal to you, consider buying a Camarote ticket, which in Salvador provides a guaranteed spot to watch the trio eletricos move along the circuit without having to navigate the crowds. Tickets usually come with an abadá, the official t-shirt required for entry.
Each Camarote has a different theme or vibe, so read through the list of Camarotes to find out which one is right for you. Two popular options are Camarote Salvador (expensive but with many inclusions), and Band Folia (a popular cheaper option).
Carnival in Recife and Olinda - Traditional Carnival & Giant Puppets
Recife and Olinda are generally considered the most "traditional" carnival celebrations compared to those hosted in other cities of Brazil.
The music styles of frevo and maracatu are central to Carnival in both cities, and each bloco chooses a "hino de frevo", a specific song that becomes the official theme for that group during Carnival. Some examples include Elefante de Olinda and Voltei, Recife. These songs are performed repeatedly throughout Carnival and you will come to know them quickly.
Another unique feature of Recife & Olinda's carnival are the giant puppets of famous people, including celebrities and historical or political figures, that join or lead the parades.
In Recife, Carnival officially opens with Galo da Madrugada, a large daytime parade held on Carnival Saturday. The event is symbolised by a giant rooster statue and is considered one of the largest Carnival parades in the world by attendance. The city of Recife also sets up large public stages where you can watch major Brazilian artists perform concerts throughout Carnival.
Just 20 minutes away in the historic town of Olinda, Carnival is known for blocos that parade through its narrow cobblestone streets. A key tradition is the Midnight Man (Homem da Meia Noite), a large puppet wears a suit and top hat, that symbolically opens Olinda's Carnival at midnight.
Carnival in Belo Horizonte - Up & Coming Carnival Hotspot
Belo Horizonte is an up-and-coming destination for Carnival, and has grown into one of Brazil’s larger Carnival destinations in recent years. Its Carnival is centered almost entirely around street parties.
Blocos are spread across many neighbourhoods and often have strong political, social, or cultural themes. Official blocos are mostly held during the day, with after parties running late into the night.
Carnival in São Paulo
São Paulo has rapidly expanded its Carnival in recent years, evolving into one of Brazil’s largest urban celebrations. The city now hosts hundreds of blocos spread across multiple neighbourhoods. The blocos cover a wide variety of music styles, including samba, marchinha, and axé.
In addition to street parties, São Paulo also hosts samba school parades at the Anhembi Sambadrome. These parades follow a competitive format similar to Rio’s, with samba schools presenting choreographed performances that include dancers, floats, percussion bands, and elaborate costumes.
What should you wear to Carnival in Brazil?
What people wear to Carnival in Brazil depends on the type of event, the city, and the time of day. For blocos, most people wear light clothing suitable for hot and humid weather. Less is more.
Comfortable closed-in shoes are essential to reduce the risk of injury in crowded areas, and because blocos often involve walking long distances. It is one of the only times in Brazil where Havaianas are not recommended.
Costumes are great fun to wear to blocos to fit into the theme, but they are not required. You could also consider wearing group costumes with friends, bright colourful accessories, and plenty of glitter. Some blocos sell official shirts (abadás) that identify participants of their bloco.
If you plan to buy tickets to a camarote, including at the Sambadrome in Rio or for camarotes along parade routes in Salvador, camarote tickets typically include an abadá. This is the official shirt that functions your entry ticket. Wearing it is mandatory, but you can customise and decorate it as long as it doesn't cover the logo or branding.
How much does Carnival in Brazil cost?
The prices in this guide are provided as a general budgeting reference. Actual costs vary depending on the city, the type of event, and generally increase each year.
The cost of attending Carnival varies greatly depending on which events you plan to attend and the type of accommodation you prefer.
Blocos are generally free. Attending these events does not require tickets. Costs for meals and drinks along the parade routes are affordable, and are rarely much higher than regular city prices.
Sambadrome parades are ticketed and prices are highest for key competition nights when popular samba schools perform. If purchased in advance, prices for standard grandstand seats are reasonable and start from around USD $30 per night. Camarote tickets are more expensive, starting from USD $350 per night, however they do include food, drinks, premium seating, an abadá (t-shirt), and other inclusions that vary by Camarote. If you buy grandstand tickets, expect food and drink in the Sambadrome to be more expensive than outside.
Note: Grandstand tickets for the Sambadrome in 2026 are sold out. There are still Camarote tickets available.
Accommodation: Hotels and short-term rentals in major cities can triple in price during Carnival, especially close to key party areas like Copacabana and Ipanema Beach. Be prepared for high accommodation prices and budget accordingly. Book your accommodation as early as possible, ideally 6 months in advance.
Hostel beds in a dorm room can cost at least USD $80 to $100+ per night. Some hostels offer a Carnival package, which is a 4- or 5-night stay for a fixed price.
Airbnbs and hotel prices vary dramatically depending on location and quality. For the 5 nights of Carnival for two people in Rio de Janeiro, expect to pay a minimum of USD $1,000 for a very basic place, and upwards of USD $2,000-3,000 for a nicer hotel. If you find a deal that is too good to be true, it probably is, be weary of scams and only book Airbnbs through super-hosts as they have an incentive not to cancel your booking.
Rideshare Apps: Uber prices in Brazil are reasonably affordable, with a minimum fare of just R$7 (USD $1.20, 2025). You can use the official price estimator to budget transport for your trip. Expect surge pricing, increased traffic, and slower travel times due to road closures during Carnival. Despite this, Uber is a safe and affordable way to travel during Carnival, especially at night. 99 Pop is a local alternative to Uber and is sometimes cheaper.
Metro tickets: Rio Metro is a cheap way to travel during Carnival, though be prepared for crowds. To use the metro, you'll need to buy a rechargeable RioCard. The card itself costs R$4 (75c USD), and the fare is R$6.70 (USD $1.20, 2025) per trip.
Food & drink: Food and drink is surprisingly affordable during Carnival. While some restaurants do put up their prices, street food remains very cost-effective. Cold beers and canned mixed drinks are sold on every corner out of coolers for close to the regular price.
Here is a rough price estimate for street food and drinks:
Small beer can - around R$5-10 depending on location (around USD $1-2)
Pre-mixed spirit drinks (like Skol Beats) - R$10 (USD $2)
Caipirinhas - From R$15+ (USD $2.70) - higher prices are charged for larger sizes, premium cachaca, or special fruit choices
Street food - you can find a snack, like a savory pastry, from around R$10, or something more filling like a tapioca, hot dog, or simple burger from R$20+ (USD $3.50).
Charque com macaxeira - the most common street food at Recife and Olinda Carnival, a plate of dried beef and mandioca cooked on a BBQ, starts around R$20 (USD $3.50).
FAQs about going to Carnival for the first time
What should tourists expect during Carnival?
If you are going to Carnival for the first time, you should expect large crowds, high noise levels, and limited availability of accommodation and transport. The cities, beaches, supermarkets, and restaurants are absolutely full.
Roads may be closed during parades, and areas near popular blocos can be extremely crowded. It's best not to plan to see tourist attractions during the week of Carnival, due to the crowds and difficulty of getting around.
As Carnival is in the summer, be prepared for high temperatures and dress accordingly. Bring plenty of sunscreen, water, and a hat. If you're not sure what to bring, I have prepared a full Carnival 2026 packing check list.
Do you need tickets for Carnival in Brazil?
Whether you need tickets depends on the type of Carnival event you want to attend. Street blocos are generally free and open to the public. There is no ticket requirement, and anyone can join along the route. Some blocos may have optional paid areas for seating, food, or VIP access, but entry to the main street parade is usually free.
Ticketed events are primarily held at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. These include the samba school parades, where seating is allocated and tickets are mandatory. Ticket types range from standard grandstand seats to private camarotes. Prices vary depending on location, parade night, and package inclusions.
Camarote tickets usually include additional amenities such as food, drinks, and an abadá (official shirt), which is required for access. Standard seats do not include an abadá.
Tickets for Sambadrome events sell out quickly, especially for popular schools and the main nights. For 2026, official tickets are already sold out for regular tickets, though some tickets will be resold through third parties at a significant mark-up. Tickets for Camarotes are still available.
Brazilian Kissing Culture at Carnival
During Carnival in Brazil, public displays of affection are common. If you go to a bloco, there is a good chance you'll hear "quer beijar?" (want a kiss?). For Brazilians, a kiss in this context is considered playful rather than a serious romantic advance.
There can also be a competitive spirit around kissing. Some people keep track of how many kisses they receive as part of the fun. It is important to remember that a kiss at Carnival does not imply a further interest in spending time together. Afterwards, people typically continue enjoying the celebrations with their friends.
Of course, there is no obligation to kiss anyone, and you can always say no. Respect, consent, and a sense of humour are key.
Is Carnival safe for travellers?
Carnival is generally safe for travellers who take some basic safety precautions. Pickpocketing and phone theft are more common during blocos and events with large crowds. Police presence is usually increased in major Carnival areas, and many cities deploy additional security measures.
To stay safe during carnival:
Always stay aware of your surroundings
Avoid carrying valuables and expensive jewelry
Pay with credit cards, and carry only a little cash with you
Keep phones and credit cards secure inside a money belt under your clothes
Use official transport like Uber or the metro. Do not walk around at night.
Follow local advice on which areas to avoid
For more information safety at Carnival, see my full post on what to bring to a bloco & how to keep your valuables safe at Carnival.
Is Carnival family friendly?
Carnival can be family friendly, depending on the city and the type of events you plan to attend. Many blocos are open to all ages and take place during the daytime. Some cities also host day-time blocos that are specifically designed to have more family-friendly themes.
The suitability of the Sambadrome parades for kids really depends on the age and interests of the child. The large floats, costumes, and music can be really entertaining for kids. However, the timing may be challenging for kids, as the parades usually start around 8pm and continue into the early hours of the morning.
Late night events and large party focused blocos are generally not suitable for children.
More resources for planning your trip to Brazil
I use Bookaway to find cheap bus & ferry tickets and private transfers , or and Kiwi to find cheap flights. Or, rent a car and give yourself the freedom to explore at your own pace.
Book your accommodation on Booking.com, with thousands of options ranging from luxury hotels to budget-friendly backpacker hostels, there's something for everyone
You're not ready to travel until you have travel insurance. I recommend Safety Wing to my friends, family, and anyone travelling internationally. Get a free quote.
Don't forget to read my packing check-list for Brazil
Last but not least, discover 10 things you should do before you travel to Brazil