Rio's Carnival is the most popular and the best Carnival in the world! No wonder it was named “Largest Carnival in the World” in 2004 by the Guinness Book of World Records. Carioca Carnival is a cultural event, where freedom of expression dominates in a creative and fun way, represented through samba school parades, carnival balls, and a street carnival. The official Samba School parades take place in Rio de Janeiro Sambadrome, created by the most renowned Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer and inaugurated in 1983 with capacity for 80,000 spectators. Every year, the Samba Schools compete for the Carnival Champion Title, one school will be chosen as the best of the best. More than 30,000 people perform throughout Carnival. Each school has between 4,000 and 5,000 participants. There are 5 days of parades, divided into three categories: Access Group, Special Group, and Parade of Champions. Access Group In the Access Group, the best Samba Schools will be able to participate in the Special Group in the following year. You will see 12 schools parade with enthusiasm and beauty. This is perfect for those, who want to see the magic of carnival on a budget. Special Group  These are considered the main days of the Carnival Parade. The best 14 Samba schools in Rio de Janeiro show all their creativity and innovations. These are the true magical nights of the Sambadrome. Tickets are more expensive for these days as it is the most popular parade with major league schools. Champions Parade On that night, the top six Special Group schools, plus the Access Group Champion repeat their performances. This is an extraordinary night to see the Carnaval champions of the year.

Watch the Rio de Janeiro samba school parades at Carnaval Rio 2023, the greatest show on earth. Buy your ticket for the Grandstand and choose between sectors 6, 7, 8 or 9. Seating is reserved in sector 9 only. The grandstands are the liveliest part of the Sambadrome, with a great view of the parade. The seats are concrete steps and the tickets are the most affordable of the event. Only Sector 9 is numbered, offering more convenience with assigned seat during the entire parade night. ACCESS GROUP PARADE - 2/17/2023 and 2/18/2023 The traditional samba schools parade on Friday and Saturday in search of top positions and a place in the Special Group in the following year's competition. SPECIAL GROUP PARADE - 2/19/2023 and 2/20/2023 Rio de Janeiro's best samba schools parade on Carnival Sunday and Monday in search of the title of champion of Rio Carnival 2023. These are the most popular days, when the biggest schools parade, six of them on Sunday and another six on Monday. CHAMPIONS PARADE - 2/25/2023 After the result, the six best samba schools of the Special Group make one last presentation at the Sambódromo. Without the pressure of the jury, the Parade of Champions has an even more special energy!

Experience Rio's Carnival, the most popular and famous parade in the world. This incredible cultural event is characterized by its freedom of expression, and creative and fun atmosphere represented through samba school parades, carnival balls, and street carnival. The official parade takes place in the Rio de Janeiro Sambadrome, created by renowned Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer with capacity for 80,000 spectators. There are 5 days of parades, divided into three categories: Access Group, Special Group, and the Champions Parade. – February 17th, 2023 (Friday): Access Group (2nd league) – February 18th, 2023 (Saturday): Access Group (2nd league) – February 19th, 2023 (Sunday): Special Group (1st league) – February 20th, 2023 (Monday): Special Group (1st league) – February 25th, 2023 (Saturday): Champions’ Parade (“All-Star Parade” with the 6 winners samba schools) Access Group (2nd league) In the Access Group, the best Samba Schools will be able to participate in the Special Group in the following year. 6 samba schools parades every night with enthusiasm and beauty. This is perfect for those, who want to see the magic of carnival on a budget. Special Group (1st league) These are considered the main days of the Carnival Parade. The best 12 Samba schools in Rio de Janeiro show all their creativity and innovations. These are the true magical nights of the Sambadrome. Tickets are more expensive for these days as it is the most popular parade with major league schools. Champions Parade On that night, the top six Special Group schools repeat their performances. This is an extraordinary night to see the Carnaval champions of the year.

Discover Rio’s nightlife in one of the top neighborhood bars. Soak up the unique atmosphere of the Rio Scenarium, a former antique store located in the heart of Lapa. Explore the three-level culture pavilion interconnected by stairs and an elevator from the belle époque. Admire its relics, colorful décor, and obsolete items which are commonly used in film productions while listening to incredible live music.  Watch the best artists bring to life Brazilian music genres such as Samba, Forró, and MPB (Brazilian pop music). Skip the line through a fast track entrance and live a genuine local nightlife experience while enjoying the 3-hour open bar (selected drinks) and 3-course dinner service.

Discover what goes on backstage at Rio's Carnival with this guided walking tour. Watch as preparations are made for the world's most famous parade with this attraction ticket. Wear some authentic costumes and take a Samba workshop before savoring a cocktail.  Be greeted by your guide at Samba City and begin your behind-the-scenes tour. See the carnival factory and find out how the floats and costumes are produced for the parade. Uncover the history of Samba and hear the story of Rio's carnival.  Try on some authentic carnival costumes and get some stunning glam shots. Participate in a Samba workshop with a professional dancer from a Samba school. Finish your tour by sipping on a delicious caipirinha, Brazil's national cocktail.

Ginga Tropical: Brazilian roots will bring you a multicultural show with lots of joy and energy, gathering on stage various cultures of this tropical country. For about 3 hours, you are going to enjoy every Brazilian dance style. After your hotel pick-up, if you choose the show with dinner option, you will arrive at a traditional Barbecue Dinner, all you can eat style. Brazilian Churrascarias (barbecue places) offer a wide variety of sides and alternative options. In case you decide to stick with a vegetarian option, you will still leave delighted. For those who preferred the show only option, they will be picked up at their hotels before heading to the show by bus.  You will get to know every Brazilian region through dance performance and clothing. Ginga Tropical: Brazilian roots combines diversity and culture with The Journal of Theatre, the Northeast, the Amazon and the Pampas with its Folklore, Bahia with their mystical rituals and Rio de Janeiro with its incomparable bohemian Lapa, their dance halls and their legendary Tricksters. A breathtaking show, with fantastic drummers and beautiful Mulatas dressed in outstanding carnival costumes. Even when you think that the show is close to the end, you may be surprised with interactive dancers. It’s time to shake your hips, so don’t be shy because the show must go on!

Do you feel nervous or unsure about heading out to dance in a new city? Let a Samba dance instructor get you started off on the right foot in Rio de Janeiro, and take a 1-hour Samba lesson at a professional studio in Ipanema. Your instructor will show you some of the key steps of Brazil's favorite dance during a class to get you warmed up. Then go for a night out in a typical Brazilian nightclub and practice the new moves and steps you learned just hours earlier. A lesson followed by night out is a great way to combine new technical skills, such as basic and intermediate steps, with the real dance club atmosphere. Get to know Rio's famous nightlife and meet some locals as you build confidence in your dancing and have a great night out!

Watch the Rio de Janeiro samba school parades at Carnaval Rio 2023, the greatest show on earth. Be picked up from your hotel for the Sambadrome. Choose your ticket for the Grandstand in sectors 6 or 8. The Grandstand is the liveliest part of the Sambadrome, with a great view of the parade due to its elevated position. The seats are concrete steps and the tickets are the most affordable of the event. Access group parade - 2/17/2023 and 2/18/2023 The traditional samba schools parade on Friday and Saturday in search of top positions and a place in the Special Group in the following year's competition. Special group parade - 2/19/2023 and 2/20/2023 Rio de Janeiro's best samba schools parade on Carnival Sunday and Monday in search of the title of champion of Rio Carnival 2023. These are the most sought-after tickets for carnival lovers. Champions parade - 2/25/2023 After the result, the six best samba schools of the Special Group make one last presentation at the Sambódromo. Without the pressure of the jury, the Parade of Champions has even more special energy.

Live out the exciting Rio Carnival experience throughout the year. Take a guided tour to the Samba City area to discover the backstage process of the parades. Gaze at colorful costumes and floats, then learn the basics of samba dancing from a professional. Enjoy a convenient transfer from your hotel and drive over to a samba factory for a behind-the-scenes look. See the lengthy process that goes on before the big celebration takes place. Step into rooms where the public is usually not allowed to see how the elaborate costumes are made. Explore the exhibition hall to admire the details of the floats that parade through the Marquês de Sapucaí sambadrome. Learn all there is to know about the world-famous Carnival before heading into the dressing rooms to try on some costumes. Finish your fascinating cultural journey with a brief samba class from a professional dancer and a traditional caipirinha cocktail.

Witness the world-famous Rio de Janeiro Carnival from a privileged perspective. Have a magical night by being picked up from your accommodation and shown to your premium box by your guide. Take in the vibrant dances as you enjoy unlimited drinks, a buffet table, and private entertainment. Be driven to the Sambadrome by a professional driver, then escorted to your seat by your guide, who will be there to assist you all night. Admire the parade from a VIP box, just a few meters from the catwalk. See how the most talented samba schools compete for the honor of being Carnival champions. Take advantage of the cabin area's premium services, such as an open bar with beer, whiskey, vodka, and soft drinks, a food buffet, a beauty center, a chillout space with massages, private shows, and DJ performances. Become surrounded by lively music, skillful choreography, and amazing costumes. Each school creates an 80-minute presentation, so you're guaranteed non-stop entertainment for a long time. However, while the parade lasts 8 hours, you're welcome to take an early transfer to your hotel after the fourth performance. Otherwise, stay back and party the night away.