Every year, travelers seeking festive celebrations decide to head to Brésil for Rio's Carnival! Want to visit the birthplace of samba, dance to the rhythm of percussion or dress up: the reasons to fly off to Rio de Janeiro are countless! Would you also like to discover this open-air festival, its costumed parades and its float processions? Head to the sambódromo for an unforgettable Brazilian celebration!

The history of Rio de Janeiro's Carnival

An event between belief and festivities

The carnival was originally a grand celebration held in honor of Dionysus (the Greek god of wine, madness and excess), where everything was permitted during the festivities. Seduced by these days of revelry, the Romans later adopted this tradition, and it was not uncommon to see soldiers and masters exchanging their tunics... Yes! Carnival is a period during which the established order and the distribution of roles are inverted!

Pre-Lenten carnivals were introduced to Italy in the thirteenth century. During forty days of abstinence, Catholics then abstained from meat and alcohol: the term "carnival" comes from Carne Vale, which means "farewell to meat"!

The Entrudo at the origin of Brazilian Carnival

The famous Rio Carnival traces its origins to the Entrudo, a Portuguese tradition brought to Brazilian lands by colonists. What did this custom consist of? Playing and having fun with a series of pranks, which could vary from town to town. In some variations, history notes the presence of large puppets…

Samba: the dance of Brazilian parades!

Origins of samba

The first Rio Carnival was organized in 1840. At the time, people danced the polka... and the waltz! But freed slaves (originally from Angola and West Africa), who had the opportunity to participate in the festivities, dazzled Brazilians with their choreography. Samba was for them an outlet that allowed them to forget their condition and their suffering.

Nowadays, many Brazilian schools teach this iconic dance. While the integration of dances and music into Rio's Carnival dates back to the second half of the nineteenth century, it would not be until 1932 that the first samba parade took place!

The enredo or the theme of a parade

There are several themes at Rio's Carnival. Every year, each samba school chooses its own enredo and develops the synopsis of its future float. A theme typically pays homage to a Brazilian region, but it can also honor another country, a concept or an artist. Today, nearly 300 percussionists accompany the parade.

Where does Rio de Janeiro's Carnival parade take place?

At the sambódromo

The parades are a must-see attraction of the Carnival. Since 1984, they can be admired on Marquês de Sapucaí avenue – specially arranged to welcome them. Like a hippodrome or velodrome hosting horse or cycling races: the sambódromo is lined with bleachers and stands to watch the parades.

Designed at the request of former governor Leonel Brizola, the avenue is 700 meters long and 13.5 meters wide. It can accommodate up to 80,000 festival-goers! This is where you can admire the most extravagant costumes and floats.

In all corners of Rio city

Alongside the official parades, you'll find processions throughout the streets of Rio de Janeiro. If you want to join these blocos, you won't have to do anything except enjoy the celebration alongside the cariocas (locals)! These semi-organized gatherings form based on samba schools, neighborhoods, a theme or a color.

Head to Brésil for Rio's Carnival: don't forget your costume!

To participate in the festivities, being dressed up is not optional (at the risk of clashing with the rest of the city)! No need to invest in an expensive costume: glitter, makeup and accessories will do the trick. The main thing is to have fun and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the country's most popular celebration! 

How to attend Rio de Janeiro's 2023 Carnival?

This is where things get tricky! Victim of its own success, Rio's Carnival ticket sales are rushed as soon as they open (a year before the festival). If you don't want to settle for unofficial parades (very festive, but less extraordinary): opt for an organized tour…

You will then no longer have to worry about organization or ticket management. You will also have a better chance (and more choice) of getting good seats in the sambódromo bleachers… Want to learn Samba? Join us from February 17 to 22 for Rio's 2023 Carnival!