In the official calendar, Carnival 2025 isn’t until March. But there’s no shortage of options on the Carioca agenda to get you in the mood! Want to know what’s going on in the city? Then find out where to enjoy pre-Carnival in Rio de Janeiro!
Megablocks
During the pre-Carnival period and the days of revelry, the megablocos take to the streets of Rio de Janeiro, dragging crowds through the City Center.
From the most traditional to the most recent, with all kinds of rhythms, this is the choice for those who like to party a lot! Check out the schedule of the megablocos parading before Carnival begins!
Carousel of Emotions
📅01/02 | at 07h
Alice’s Tea Block
📅02/02 | at 07h
SeráQAbre?
📅09/02 | at 07h
Bloco da Gold with Léo Santana
📅15/02 | at 07h
Bloco da Favorita
📅22/02 | at 07h
Rua Primeiro de Março – Centro
Orquestra Voadora at Fundição Progresso
Some of the city’s more traditional blocos hold their rehearsals (free and/or paid) indoors to warm up the tambourines until the official parade in the streets.
This is the case of Orquestra Voadora, which rehearses at Fundição Progresso every Sunday. It’s well worth getting a taste!
📌Fundição Progresso | Rua dos Arcos, 24 – Lapa
📅Sundays | from 4pm to 9pm
💵Free (from 4pm to 6pm) | From R$20 (after 6pm)
Cordão do Boitatá at Circo Voador
The same goes for Cordão do Boitatá, one of the city’s most beautiful blocos!
The Cordão will hold its pre-carnival rehearsals on Mondays in February at Circo Voador, with special guests.
Among them, Rita Benneditto, Jongo da Serrinha, João Cavalcanti, Mariana Baltar and Moyseis Marques on the first day!
In addition, the rehearsals are part of the campaign for Boitatá to hold its long-awaited 29th parade and the 19th Multicultural Ball in Praça Quinze. Praça Quinze.
📌Circo Voador | Rua dos Arcos, s/n – Lapa
📅Start: 03/02 | from 19h
💵From R$40
CasaBloco
Another fun event is CasaBloco, which is now in its sixth edition and promotes three days of shows in a row!
This year, the event has the theme “Where the carnivals of Brazil meet”, with regional music gatherings. Confirmed attractions include Roberta Sá, Monobloco, Mart’nália, Chico César, Diogo Nogueira, Sidney Magal, Gretchen and many more!
📌Jockey Club | Praça Santos Dumont, 31 – Gávea
📅06, 07 and 08/02 | from 4pm
💵From R$ 90 (half-price)
Pre-Carnival at CCBB
In addition to the shows, CasaBloco also has a pre-Carnival program at CCBB, one of the most visited museums in the world!
There will be carnival art workshops, conversation circles and performances by groups such as Filhos de Gandhi and Caxambu do Salgueiro.
The program also includes a film exhibition, with movies that show the beauty and richness of Brazilian Carnival!
Rua Primeiro de Março, 66 – Centro
05 to 09/02 | from 12pm
Free admission
Pre-Carnival Feijoadas
The pre-Carnival feijoadas are already a tradition in Rio de Janeiro! After all, samba and beans have everything to do with it!
That’s why we’ve put together an itinerary of the feijoadas that are already taking place during this period in the Marvelous City!
Technical rehearsals in Sapucaí
If you don’t have the opportunity to go to the greatest show on Earth, you can feel the thrill of stepping foot in Sapucaí to check out the technical rehearsals of the samba schools!
As well as being free, the event is very lively and already gives you a spoiler of what the schools are preparing for their parades.
📌Rua Marquês de Sapucaí – Centro
📅Until February 16 | Saturdays and Sundays, from 7pm
💵Free of charge