If you're traveling to Rio in January, the technical rehearsals are the most accessible way to see the Grupo Especial samba schools at the Sambódromo: admission is free and the schools parade down the same avenue as in February, with their drum section and some of their members. For 2027, Liesa has already set four dates: January 23, 24, 30 and 31.
At a glance
- Dates: Saturday, January 23; Sunday, January 24; Saturday, January 30; and Sunday, January 31, 2027.
- Venue: Sambódromo da Marquês de Sapucaí, in Downtown (Centro).
- Admission: free, according to the schedule published by Riotur ↗.
- Schools: all twelve in the Grupo Especial, three per night.
- Crowds: in 2026 the rehearsals drew about 360,000 people in total. Arrive early.
What a technical rehearsal is
It's each school's dress rehearsal on the avenue where it will compete: the school fine-tunes its parade timing, singing and drum section, and the Sambódromo tests its lights and sound. Floats and the full costumes of the official parade usually don't come out, and there are no judges. In exchange, the atmosphere is more relaxed and you don't need to buy a ticket.
Don't confuse it with the rehearsals each school holds at its headquarters (the quadra) or on the streets of its neighborhood: those have their own rules, schedules and, sometimes, paid admission. Check them on each school's channels.
Rehearsals at each school's home venue are a different experience: see samba school quadra rehearsals.
2027 schedule
Each night opens with parades by the mirins schools (the children's schools), which this year officially become part of the rehearsals. After them come the Grupo Especial schools. Start times according to the official schedule:
Saturday, January 23
- From 5:30 p.m.: Golfinhos do Rio de Janeiro, Ainda Existem Crianças na Vila Kennedy and Corações Unidos do CIEP.
- From 8:00 p.m.: União de Maricá, Beija-Flor de Nilópolis and Paraíso do Tuiuti.
Sunday, January 24
- From 5:00 p.m.: Inocentes da Caprichosos, Miúda da Cabuçu and Império do Futuro.
- From 7:00 p.m.: Unidos de Vila Isabel, Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel and Unidos da Tijuca.
Saturday, January 30
- From 5:30 p.m.: Petizes da Penha, Nova Geração do Estácio and Infantes do Lins.
- From 8:00 p.m.: Acadêmicos do Salgueiro, Imperatriz Leopoldinense and Portela.
Sunday, January 31
- From 5:00 p.m.: Lavagem da Sapucaí, the traditional symbolic cleansing of the avenue, which moves to this Sunday in 2027.
- From 7:00 p.m.: Unidos do Viradouro, Acadêmicos do Grande Rio and Estação Primeira de Mangueira.
These are start times for each block, not for each school. Check the official schedule a few days ahead: there may be changes.
What about the Série Ouro
The 2027 schedule published by Riotur only includes the Grupo Especial. In 2026 the Série Ouro schools also held free technical rehearsals at the Sapucaí, but as of October 16, 2026 we couldn't find the 2027 schedule. If you're interested in that group, there's more in the Série Ouro 2027 guide.
Getting there and back
- Metro: Praça Onze is on the even-numbered sectors' side and Central do Brasil on the odd-numbered sectors' side. Choose your station based on where you'll enter.
- Special hours: during the 2026 rehearsals, according to Riotur ↗, MetrôRio kept Praça Onze and Central open until 4 a.m. overnight from Friday to Saturday, and until 2:30 a.m. after the Saturday and Sunday rehearsals. The other stations closed at their regular time and after that only let passengers exit. That was 2026: confirm the 2027 service closer to the date.
- Fare card: top it up beforehand or pay contactless at the turnstile to avoid lines on the way out.
- Sunday nights: the Sunday schools finish late and the next day is a workday. Plan your trip back before you go in.
The access rules for each rehearsal (open sectors, gates and permitted items) aren't listed in the schedule. Look for them on Riotur's and Liesa's channels the week of the rehearsal. For the rest of the logistics, see how to get to the Sambódromo.
Tips to make the most of it
- Pick your night by school: if you want to see a particular one, check which day it's scheduled.
- Arrive before the block you're interested in: the rehearsals draw big crowds, and it's worth leaving time to get in and find a spot.
- Bring the bare minimum: water, sunscreen, some cash and a charged phone. For the rest, see what to bring to Carnival.
- Combine it with the blocos: street Carnival starts, according to Riotur, on January 16. You'll find the details in how to find the blocos schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a ticket for the rehearsals?
No. According to the official schedule, admission is free.
Does it look the same as the February parade?
No. The drum section, the singing and some of the members parade, usually without floats or full costumes. For the official parade you need tickets for Carnival 2027.
Which night is best?
It depends on which school you want to see. If you're traveling with kids, the mirins parades open each night earlier, before the Grupo Especial.
To plan the rest of your trip, continue with the Carnival 2027 guide.
Sources: official rehearsal schedule at carnaval.rio (Riotur) ↗ and metro service during the 2026 rehearsals according to Riotur ↗, accessed October 16, 2026.