Carnival 2026: The Ultimate Guide to the World's Biggest Party
Updated February 2026 with the latest information.
Carnival 2026 promises to be historic. With the economy recovering and tourism booming, the expectation is over 1 million visitors in Rio de Janeiro alone. São Paulo, Salvador and Recife also expect record numbers.
We've prepared the most complete guide for you to enjoy the biggest party on the planet.
Official Carnival 2026 Dates
Complete Calendar
| Date | Day | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 13 (Fri) | Friday | Official Carnival start |
| Feb 14 (Sat) | Carnival Saturday | Access Group parades (Rio) |
| Feb 15 (Sun) | Carnival Sunday | Special Group parades (Rio) - 1st night |
| Feb 16 (Mon) | Carnival Monday | Special Group parades (Rio) - 2nd night |
| Feb 17 (Tue) | Carnival Tuesday | Last official day |
| Feb 18 (Wed) | Ash Wednesday | End of Carnival |
| Feb 22 (Sat) | Champions Saturday | Champions parade (Rio) |
Peak: The height of the party happens on Sunday (15th) and Monday (16th), with Special Group parades at the Sambadrome.
Pre-Carnival
Carnival energy starts much earlier:
- January 17: First street parties in Rio
- Late January: Technical rehearsals of samba schools
- Early February: Pre-carnival parties throughout Brazil
Rio de Janeiro: The Carnival Capital
Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí
Special Group Parades 2026:
| Night | Date | Schools |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Night | Feb 15 (Sun) | 6 schools |
| 2nd Night | Feb 16 (Mon) | 6 schools |
| Champions | Feb 22 (Sat) | Top 6 |
Favorite schools for 2026:
- Beija-Flor de Nilópolis
- Portela
- Mangueira
- Viradouro
- Grande Rio
- Salgueiro
Tickets:
- Bleachers: $30-80
- Chairs: $80-300
- Ground level: $300-1,000
- VIP boxes: $400-3,000
Tip: Buy tickets in advance on LIESA's official website.
Rio Street Parties (Blocos)
Rio will have over 500 blocos in 2026. The most famous:
Giant Blocos (100,000+ people):
- Cordão da Bola Preta (Downtown)
- Banda de Ipanema (Ipanema)
- Bloco da Preta (Downtown)
- Monobloco (Downtown)
- Sargento Pimenta (Flamengo)
Traditional Blocos:
- Cacique de Ramos (Olaria)
- Bafo da Onça (Downtown)
- Simpatia é Quase Amor (Ipanema)
- Carmelitas (Santa Teresa)
- Céu na Terra (Santa Teresa)
Alternative Blocos:
- Bloco da Ansiedade (Botafogo)
- Amigos da Onça (Laranjeiras)
- Orquestra Voadora (Aterro)
Tip: Download the "Blocos de Rua RJ" app to see the complete schedule and real-time location.
São Paulo: Growing Carnival
Anhembi Sambadrome
São Paulo has its own samba school parade:
2026 Parades:
- Friday (Feb 13): Access Group
- Saturday (Feb 14): Special Group - 1st night
- Sunday (Feb 15): Special Group - 2nd night
Notable São Paulo schools:
- Gaviões da Fiel
- Vai-Vai
- Mocidade Alegre
- Mancha Verde
- Águia de Ouro
São Paulo Street Parties
São Paulo has exploded with blocos in recent years:
Must-See Blocos:
- Acadêmicos do Baixo Augusta (Downtown)
- Bloco do Sargento Pimenta (Ibirapuera)
- Bloco Tarado Ni Você (Pinheiros)
- Bangalafumenga (Vila Madalena)
- Bloco do Beco (Beco do Batman)
2026 News: Over 800 blocos registered with the city!
Salvador: The Most Famous Street Carnival
Official Circuits
Salvador has three main circuits:
Dodô Circuit (Barra-Ondina):
- The most famous and sought-after
- 6km route
- Electric trios of biggest attractions
Osmar Circuit (Campo Grande):
- More traditional
- Afro blocos and afoxés
- More cultural atmosphere
Batatinha Circuit (Pelourinho):
- Historic center
- Smaller, intimate blocos
- Live music on stages
Confirmed 2026 Attractions
Electric Trios:
- Ivete Sangalo
- Claudia Leitte
- Bell Marques
- Léo Santana
- Daniela Mercury
- Anitta
Afro Blocos:
- Olodum
- Ilê Aiyê
- Muzenza
- Malê Debalê
Abadás (VIP access): Prices range from $100 to $600 depending on bloco and day.
Recife and Olinda: Frevo and Tradition
Galo da Madrugada
The world's largest street party (Guinness Book):
- Date: Carnival Saturday (Feb 14)
- Location: Downtown Recife
- Expected crowd: 2+ million people
- Entry: Free
Olinda Carnival
UNESCO World Heritage:
- Giant puppets on the hills
- Frevo and maracatu music
- More intimate than Recife
- Traditional blocos like "Eu Acho é Pouco"
Survival Tips
What to Bring
✅ Photo ID (copy)
✅ Cash (small amount)
✅ Phone with extra battery
✅ Sunscreen
✅ Water (lots!)
✅ Comfortable costume
✅ Sneakers or sturdy sandals
What NOT to Bring
❌ Expensive jewelry and watches
❌ Large bags
❌ Too much money
❌ Credit cards (bring only one)
❌ Original documents
Safety
- Go in groups
- Agree on meeting point
- Be careful with drinks from strangers
- Use fanny pack or money belt
- Watch your phone
- Stay hydrated constantly
Transportation
Rio:
- Metro runs 24h during Carnival
- Avoid cars in Downtown and South Zone
- Ride apps with surge pricing
São Paulo:
- Metro with extended hours
- Special buses for blocos
- Shared bikes
Salvador:
- Taxis and apps are best option
- Avoid driving on circuits
- Hotels near circuits fill up
Accommodation: Book Now!
Average Prices (Carnival 2026)
| City | Hostel | 3★ Hotel | 5★ Hotel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rio | $40-80/night | $120-240/night | $400-1,000/night |
| São Paulo | $30-60/night | $80-160/night | $300-600/night |
| Salvador | $50-100/night | $160-300/night | $500-1,200/night |
| Recife | $30-70/night | $100-200/night | $300-700/night |
Tip: Airbnb can be cheaper, but book months in advance.
Carnival Curiosities
Impressive Numbers
- Origin: Brazilian Carnival started in the 17th century
- Largest bloco: Galo da Madrugada (2+ million)
- Largest school: Beija-Flor has 4,000+ members
- Investment: Schools spend $2-6 million per parade
- Tourism: Carnival generates $2+ billion for economy
Most Popular Costumes
- Harlequin/Colombina
- Hawaiian
- Pirate
- Superheroes
- Movie/TV characters
- Glitter and sparkles (always!)
Songs That Will Rock 2026
Classic marchinhas never go out of style:
- "Cidade Maravilhosa"
- "Ô Abre Alas"
- "Mamãe Eu Quero"
- "Cabeleira do Zezé"
But watch for new songs that will go viral!
Alternative Carnival
For Those Who Want to Escape the Crowds
Ouro Preto Carnival (MG):
- University blocos
- Historic city
- Younger atmosphere
Paraty Carnival (RJ):
- Mud blocos
- Colonial city
- More intimate
Diamantina Carnival (MG):
- Serenades and vesperatas
- Minas Gerais tradition
- Less touristy
Conclusion: Get Ready for the Party!
Carnival 2026 will be epic. With planning, you can enjoy it to the fullest without problems:
- Book accommodation now — prices only go up
- Buy tickets in advance — they sell out fast
- Plan your itinerary — choose blocos and parades
- Take care of safety — fun with responsibility
- Stay hydrated — the heat is intense
Brazil awaits you for the world's biggest party. Come dance samba!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When is Carnival 2026?
A: From February 13 to 17, 2026, with Ash Wednesday on Feb 18.
Q: How much does it cost to go to Rio Carnival?
A: Depends on style. Street parties are free. Sambadrome: $30-3,000. Accommodation: $40-1,000/night.
Q: Is Salvador Carnival better than Rio?
A: They're different. Rio has Sambadrome and street parties. Salvador has electric trios and circuits. Both are amazing!
Q: Is it safe to go to Carnival?
A: Yes, with basic precautions: go in groups, don't bring valuables, stay aware of surroundings.
Q: Do I need a costume?
A: Not mandatory, but it's part of the fun! Simple and comfortable costumes are best.
Sources: Riotur, SPTuris, Saltur, LIESA, official city websites.
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